God is indeed an overwhelming mystery. His severity cannot be separated from his mighty love. Although the prophets speak constantly of Yahweh’s anger and judgment, they also picture him as a loving and faithful husband. After Israel’s affairs, after the divorce, after the fragmentation of the covenantal relationship, Yahweh’s love wins out. Not because he ceases to be severe, but because his severity is an aspect of his unending love for and faithfulness to his people, despite our sinfulness. “Having loved his own … he loved them to the end” (John 13:1).
As long as we see the God of the Old Testament as none other than the one Christians call Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, then Marcion’s voice will remain where it belongs””buried in the second century.