Jesus Is Lord of the Old Testament: Retrieving YHWH Christology.

The article examines the early Christian hermeneutic known as YHWH Christology, which interprets Old Testament theophanies—appearances of the divine "Lord"—as manifestations of the preincarnate Son (Jesus), rather than the Father. This approach, explicitly articulated by Justin Martyr and nuanced by Augustine of Hippo, contrasts with Marcion’s rejection of the Old Testament and its God as distinct from Jesus. Augustine’s extensive engagement with Old Testament theophanies reveals how widespread YHWH Christology was in early Christianity, despite his efforts to emphasize a Trinitarian reading that avoids subordinationism. The article further suggests that several New Testament authors, including Mark and John, reflect this Christocentric reading of Israel’s scriptures, and it discusses the implications of retrieving YHWH Christology for contemporary biblical interpretation and catechesis.