Theology chronicle: Images of God in the Old Testament: Yahweh – loving father and mother

A Groenewald

doi:10.4102/ve.v27i2.162

Abstract

This theology chronicle proceeds from the Marcionite idea of the cruel God of the Old Testament. This idea today is still well and alive with church members, and even with students of Biblical Studies and Theology. The author then takes the reader on a short journey through some of the most sublime love texts in the Old Testament, portraying Yahweh (the God of Israel) as a loving father and even as a loving mother/wife. The article concludes with an appeal towards the reader to once again discover the beauty of the Old Testament as well as Old Testament texts.

Highlights

A Groenewald (Universiteit van Pretoria). This theology chronicle proceeds from the Marcionite idea of the cruel God of the Old Testament
The author takes the reader on a short journey through some of the most sublime love texts in the Old Testament, portraying Yahweh as a loving father and even as a loving mother/wife
The article concludes with an appeal towards the reader to once again discover the beauty of the Old Testament as well as Old Testament texts

Summary

INLEIDING

Die Christendom kan slegs in afhanklikheid van die Judaïsme verstaan word (Zenger 1994:7; 1997b:184vv)[1]. Sy beswaar is geleë in die feit dat die God van die Ou Testament (of ‘n mens kan ook sê: die God van Israel, die Joodse God) gesien word as ‘n wrede God, ‘n God van wraak en geweld[4]. In die lees van hierdie beelde word ons oorspoel deur die liefde wat Jahwe aan sy volk betoon. Ons moet erken dat die mens nie anders kan as om sy/haar werklikheid deur middel van taal te betree nie (Vorster 2003:4vv). Wanneer die mens sy/haar werklikheid tegemoet tree, dan kan dit nie anders as in die taalkonstruksies van die spesifieke gemeenskap nie. By geboorte word elke mens in ’n taal gebore, dit wil sê in die diskoerspraktyke wat daardie gemeenskap aan hom/haar verskaf. Die Ou-Testamentiese skrywer(s) kon dus nie anders as om Jahwe (= die God van Israel) uit te beeld met behulp van menslike taal en taalkonstruksies (beelde en simbole) nie. Dit was die enigste medium waaroor hulle beskik het om uitdrukking te gee aan hulle ervarings van die goddelike (transendente) en verhewe ervaring(s)

JAHWE AS VADER

SLOTOPMERKINGS