Hermann Spieckermann, «God's Steadfast Love Towards a New Conception of Old Testament Theology», Vol. 81 (2000) 305-327

This article argues in favour of a conception of Old Testament theology that is aware of the different hermeneutical presuppositions due to the different canonical shapes of the Jewish and the Christian Bible, respectively. An Old Testament Theology based on the canon of the Christian Bible has to do equal justice to the Hebrew and to the Greek version of the Old Testament, acknowledging that the Greek version, the Septuagint, is a dominant factor for the emergence of Christian faith. Perceiving the Old Testament from a Christian point of view sheds new light on a central theological issue thus far underestimated in scholarly research: God's steadfast love. The contribution tries to show how this characteristic insight into God's true being is reflected and interpreted in the different parts of the Old Testament.

        As an answer to Israel’s adultery God confirms his love and faithfulness. As this confirmation is uttered in the third person, it is obvious that it was probably used as a hymnic formula in cultic praises of God. In Exod 34, however, it is intentionally shaped as divine speech, because regarding the original sin of idolatry, only God himself can say how he will continue to be perceivable for the Israelites. God remains true to Israel in remaining true to his self-determination towards his dsx, his steadfast love⁷. However, hurt by adultery God’s love takes the shape of mercy and grace, of abstaining from anger and of being ready to forgive the thousands (i.e. numerous) of generations without any limit, although the punishment restricted to four generations would not fail to come. But this is not as remarkable as its juxtaposition, namely God’s unlimited love that remains true to Israel. God immediately confirms his self-determination by a new covenant and by a new proclamation of his law (Exod 34,10-27)⁸.

        The hymnic formula of God’s lasting self-determination towards love has a history extending far back into Canaanite myths. I would describe this in a history of Israel’s religion. In an Old Testament theology, however, the main point is that God’s self-determination as found in Exod 34 has produced a history of its own within the Old