The Prophetic Imagination by Walter Brueggemann is a modern classic. Written in 1978, the work resonates as much today as when originally penned with Brueggemann’s understanding of prophetic and challenge to engage our imagination in pulpits, communities and beyond. The book has been seminal for me, providing better words and new categories for the world I live in.
So every year I commit to re-read favorite books, to engage again with ideas that stir me. I find that revisiting these words in another time and place allow them to provoke new responses and open doors to deeper engagement. Sometimes I have that great a-ha moment – this is where I got that idea! It’s always fun to see where seeds have taken root and grown over time. So this month I’m re-reading The Prophetic Imagination (again) to embrace these ideas afresh and pray the Spirit will provoke a holy deepening in my personal praxis of a prophetic imagination in my circles. And I invite you, no I implore you, to join me!
If you’ve never read anything by Walter Brueggemann but always wanted to… this is a great place to start. As I mentioned, this is his seminal work. This small text informs so much of his later works and also reveals much of who he is as a communicator, scholar, Gospel preacher trained in the Old Testament.
Though the book is compact, I recommend you read it slow. Write in the margins and make connections from page to page, because there is thick meaning to glean. He has a wide and wondrous vocabulary, and it’s worth looking up any new words to ensure you don’t miss out on a single nugget of golden goodness. (Looking back, so much of my own vocabulary is informed by his!)
If you’ve already read this book – consider this invitation to re-read with me. Let’s have a new conversation about these ideas and see what new things might ignite in us as we come together in conversation. Let’s see if we can re-imagine together!
Now I could go on (and on, and on…) about Walter Brueggemann. No thinker, scholar, communicator has influenced or educated or challenged me more. It might be his background in rhetoric and Old Testament scholarship that initially captivated me, as I have a degree in rhetoric and made my way through seminary with particular fondness for Old Testament classes. But watching him bring together the best of rhetorical sensibility and prophetic passion into the act of preaching stopped me in my tracks – his theology sings in the pulpit. He practices what he teaches – with stunning beauty that leaves me changed every time.
So before I get carried away, let me just offer this one simple website for those wanting their own proper introduction: www.walterbrueggemann.com. This site offers his credentials, his books (see how prolific he is…) and plenty of links to his sermons, video clips, audio, etc. (I could get lost in this site for weeks, seriously.)
Most frequent question I get asked regarding my penchant for Walter Brueggemann’s works – which book(s) do I recommend most. So here is the short answer. The Prophetic Imagination is his seminal work, and therefore a great place to begin. You will learn so much but also get a good sense of his worldview, which informs all his other work. A more recent book that I think does a great job unpacking his sweeping perspective in accessible terms is Journey to the Common Good. I’ve already re-read this little volume multiple times in the last few years since its publication.
But I think one of the best things Brueggemann does is preach, so I highly recommend one of his volumes of collected sermons. Here you see how his scholarship plays in the pulpit, where we sit every Sunday and pray for the Word to meet us. Here you see how the highest level of Biblical acumen lives and breathes in the preacher, for the sake of the church and the world. I also find these collections to be the best devotional reading – a short sermon-length read with theological depth and implications for my day. I read one sermon each Sunday, and it’s become one of those things that’s been saving my life this year.
If you enjoy reading commentaries, cover to cover, he has some great ones on offer. Brueggemann on Isaiah is about as good as it gets. He redeemed the prophet for me, and now I cannot imagine the canon without this prophet of poetry and possibility! Also his commentary on Genesis is brilliant. Just pick one and read over a summer… such a great discipline to consider.
But enough about my high praise for Brueggemann… let’s settle in and read together this month. Let’s read slowly, let’s tweet using #transitlounge to converse along the way and then post responses in a link-up at the end of the month.
If you plan to read The Prophetic Imagination with us this month, kindly leave a comment below. I’d love to get a sense of who is reading with me this month!
I’m due for a re-read. I’ll join you.
Planning on working my way through for the first time and this is a great incentive to finish it! I will definitely have to go slow as this depth of theology needs some breathing space. Thanks!
Okay! I’m in.
Scared. But I’m in.
I’m in! It’ll be a first time read for me.
Yup – I will be reading it. For the first time. Excited and a tiny bit nervous!
You’ll love it… just go slow and savor. So excited we get to read together!
Okay, Kelley, I am going to give this guy a try since you’re so passionate about him and I value your opinion. So, I will be your “newbie” Brueggemann reader, and I’ll look forward to reading along with you!
I’ll be reading! First-time Brueggemann read for me, and I’m excited.
I’m in. Looking forward to reading some Brueggemann for the very first time.
I’m starting it tonight!
first time reading Brueggermann. little terrified, but excited!
No fear! He is a great communicator, so you are in good hands. And if you have questions – ask. That’s why it is great to read together, because we’re all thinking/processing/learning with one another.
I’m in too! First time Brueggermann reader and I am excited to jump in and see what happens!
I’m in. (Let’s pretend finals, assignments, and homework don’t exist for a while.)
Yes, let’s pretend! lol! But seriously, I want you to get your assignments done (the academic in me…), let this be your reward! So glad you’re working this in to your full plate.
I am! I am reading it with another friend here in my town as well, so I am looking forward to both discussions! I have not read him before, but have heard so much about him that I already had the two books you mentioned, just hadn’t started them. Happy to have incentive to start- thanks! I am loving this book group so far- loved Inspiration and Incarnation! Liked Yoder, but it was a tough go- thanks for your post on it. Just finished chapter 2 of Prophetic Imagination, and love it so far.
Nancy, so glad you’re reading along with me. I&I was a great discovery for me, too. I know Yoder was more academic and dry at parts, but the chapter on jubilee was worth the cost of the book for me! Now onto my favorite… hope you enjoy the remaining chapters in Brueggemann.
I’m in! Never done this before, Kel, so give this rookie some direction before I blow you’re whole book club up! 🙂
Russ, if you didn’t blow up the Spring Sing opening dance, I think you’ll safely navigate this book club! Read the book, tweet along the way (using #transitlounge) quotes/thoughts/connections. Then at the end of the month craft a response – not a book report! What does it make you feel or think? Any connections or sticking places? I’d especially love to hear from you as someone in pastoral leadership – does this live in your lived context? If you are blog-less, I’d LOVE to have you as a guest, posting on my blog. Your credentials as an English major are ample for me! So response (200-1200 words) – end of the month and I’ll post it! So excited to be reading this together, along with all these other amazing friends!
I just requested the book from the library yesterday so I hope to join with you in reading it this month.
Hope the book arrives soon! So glad we’ll be reading together. (I’m in chapter two today and loving it…)
I just got notification from the library today that I can pick up the copy. Took so long! How much do I need to read to catch up?
We’re all reading at our own pace – some in ch.1 others in ch.5… just try to be done my end of the month! Read slow enough to savor the words, many have commented on a slower reading pace to take it all in!
I’m In!
I will join you! Can’t wait to read my first by Walter:-)
Count me in!
I’m in. Looking forward to it!
welcome to the transit lounge…so glad you’re going to read it, too!
Coincidentally, I just read this book over the last couple of weeks, and as I was reading, I discovered this group. How very perfect! Looking forward to joining in the discussion!