2.4 God in the Old Testament

Trying to outline a future book project while teaching a course in biblical theology. Modifying the outline a little as I go.

Chapter 1: What is Biblical Theology?
1.1 Introduction
1.2 Basic Approaches
1.3 History of Biblical Theology
1.4 This Book's Approach

Chapter 2: Theology of God
2.1a The Rule of Faith of God, part 1
2.1b The Rule of Faith of God, part 2
2.2 Progress of the Biblical Understanding of God
2.4 The Old Testament Witness 

2.4.1 The Oneness of God
So I think I will shuffle the order of presentation a little. Since in class I am almost done with an Old Testament theology of God, let me just present an outline for future filling in.

• Shema needs to feature here, including the covenant relationship of Yahweh with Israel.
• Deuteronomy 32 should be mentioned, especially the text critical issue at 32:8.

2.4.2 The Holiness of God

• The key text here is Isaiah 6. Also interact with passages like Leviticus 11:44 and my sense of what the holiness of God is. Mention Mt. Sinai and Uzzah.

2.4.3 Anthropomorphism in the Old Testament

• Did they take it as such, as most of us do?
• Or did they take it literally, but we should take it metaphorically?
• Or was it literal and we should become open theists and think God has a body?

2.4.4 The Power of God

• An assumption of the divine in general
• Yahweh Sabaoth (e.g., 1 Sam 1:3), God as warrior
• Genesis 18:14; Psalm 24:8
• God as king and judge
• God as creator, Isaiah 55:11

2.4.5 The Knowledge and Presence of God

• Psalm 139 is a locus classicus here. Isaiah 46:9-10
• including the Spirit of God in the Old Testament
• the angel of the LORD and other intermediaries

2.4.6 The Hesed of God

• "The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love (Exod. 34:6; Ps. 103:8, 145:8; Jon. 4:2).
• Toward Israel (Deuteronomy 6), election
• The progressive understanding of Satan

2.4.7 The Wrath of God

• God and the conquest
• God and other nations
• God's wrath toward Israel

2.4.8 Other Pictures of God

• God as father/mother, healer, gardener, shepherd...