Abstract

HELBERG, Jaap L.. Is God (in)consistent? Sovereignty, deliberation and accountability in the Davidic history in the books of Samuel. In Skriflig (Online) [online]. 2014, vol.48, n.2, pp.01-10. ISSN 2305-0853.

The books of Samuel as a unity reveal the accountability of people in their relations to each other and to God. This article explores the issue of God's consistency, including the question whether everything happens under his reign. The finding is that everything happens under his all-embracing, all-powerful and personal sovereignty, which is unfathomable by the limited human deliberation. It is not a new creation about his Word which brings the light, but the new discovery in his Word. He asserts justice, and to an even greater extent, his grace. His consistency - 'the foolishness of the cross' - is ultimately fully revealed in the expected Messiah, Jesus Christ. In the present broken reality God also asserts his sovereignty through people who have their own agendas, even evil agendas. Thus, He brings believers to self-discovery, remorse and repentance from their sins. They live with childlike trust in God and according to the great commandment of love.

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