attributes among others. Most often it is treated only briefly and then only after the attributes that derive from God’s metaphysical essence. Mercy, therefore, is in no way systematically determinative.35 In the more recent handbooks, mercy is often completely absent36 and, if it appears at all, then more likely incidentally. Exceptions prove the rule; they cannot, however, fundamentally change this general finding.37 One cannot characterize these findings in any way other than as disappointing,