Jesus Is Lord of the Old Testament: Retrieving YHWH Christology

Abstract

Instead of assuming that Old Testament theophanies depict the Father (as is the case with so many modern Christian readings), most ancient Christians assumed the “Lord” appearing in the scriptures is the preincarnate Son. This approach to reading the scriptures, known as YHWH Christology, is outright rejected by Marcion, explicitly championed by Justin Martyr, and heavily nuanced by Augustine of Hippo. In reviewing their respective approaches, YHWH Christology comes into clearer view, along with its potential problems. This approach is then tested with cases from the New Testament to see the precedent for YHWH Christology provided by at least some of the biblical authors, followed by a few thoughts on the implications of retrieving this hermeneutic.