James Gasik
We don't talk about Pun-Pun
This could explain what's going on with Divine Intervention as well- at 10th level, you're actually getting in contact with an agent of your God, such as a Solar. It's only at 20th level that you have enough pull to get the attention of the Divine.In 1e AD&D, 1st-2nd-level spells "are gained through the cleric's knowledge and faith". 3rd to 5th-level spells were granted by the deity's minions, and only 6th-7th were directly granted by the deity. Also, in 2e's The Complete Priest's Handbook priests of a philosophy were introduced.
So, clerics gaining spells from their own faith does find its roots in AD&D.