Ewiger Bund (Gen 17) oder neuer Bund (Jer 31,31–34)? Überlegungen zu einem Grundproblem der Theologie des Alten Testaments im Horizont gesamtbiblischer Theologie

One if not the main fundamental problem of a Theology of the Old Testament is the coexistence of the historical tradition of Israel, represented by the Pentateuch, and the pre-exilic prophets within the canon because of the prophet’s abrogation of the “Heilsgeschichte” (I). How complex the interaction between the Pentateuch and the prophetic literature in their long lasting history may ever have been, the coexistence of a text like Gen 17 and Jer 31:31-34 points out the problem: is the covenant everlasting or broken, the covenant Israel’s every time presence or its future? (II) The Old Testament for itself gives no answer to this question. So far the Old Testament points beyond itself – in the author’s opinion to Paul’s concept of the dikaiosu,nh tou/ qeou/. This concept combines the proclamation of the fulfillment of the promise of the New Covenant for all people with the confirmation of Israel’s everlasting election (III). Both, the fulfillment of the promise Jer 31:31-34 and Israel’s final salvation, are standing under eschatological reservation. In this perspective the Old Testament is not only fundament of the New Testament, but in New Testament’s hope still alive. (IV)