Abstract:
This article seeks to explain why and how the Old Testament and Deuteronomistic
history in particular are essential in our theological reflection
on the concept of church. The main trends in the theology of the Deuteronomistic
history are discussed, namely that YHWH is a unique, sovereign
and almighty God who elected Israel and made a covenant with
them. His steadfast love and preparedness to forgive, as well as his
judgement on those who disobey him, serve as an appeal to Israel to honor
and obey him in absolute loyalty. The article concludes with the notion
that the very existence of the religious community is totally dependant
on the grace and love of God, and that its members are therefore
committed to him and to one another with the prophetic word as their
hope for the future.
