Old Testament Theology

by Walter Brueggemann

Other authorsPatrick D. Jr. Miller (Editor)
Paperback, 1992

Status

Available

Call number

Theology Bru

Collection

Publication

Fortress Press (1992), 340 pages

Description

In these essays, Walter Brueggemann addresses the necessity for thinking about the shape and structure of Old Testament theology—and for the impact such thinking can have on the larger issues of contemporary life.Brueggemann draws on the work of persons from all disciplines and incorporates them in a seminal way in his theology. The work of persons in theology, psychology, the social sciences, politics, and the like often provides heuristic possibilities and even basic models for talking about the Old Testament. The Old Testament is seen to be something that has intelligible and significant worldly connections.

User reviews

LibraryThing member StephenBarkley
This book is a godsend for those of us who don't live close to a theological library. Patrick Miller has collected 15 different articles Brueggemann has written for various theological journals between 1978 and 1990 and organized them loosely into two categories.

The first articles discuss
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theological method. Brueggemann interacts with the major figures in Old Testament studies from Von Rad to Terrien to Childs while pushing their insights to new heights. He spends a lot of time working out the implications of Childs' canonical criticism. It's next to impossible to summarize a collection of essays, but Bruggemann's main thought is this: there's no one thing at the core of the Old Testament: there a dialectic. You can call it "Structure Legitimization" meets "Embrace of Pain" or "Hurt" meets "Hope". This is what gives Old Testament faith its vibrancy and drive.

The second category of articles are examples of his method worked out exegetically. He tackles Genesis, Samuel, Isaiah, and Jeremiah all in his distinctive voice.

Whether you agree with everything he has to say or not (and what thinking person ever agrees with everything someone else has to say?), Bruggemann has been a steadfast voice of Christ-centred Old Testament scholarship for decades. This set of essays was invigorating to read.
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Original publication date

1992
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