The Practice of Prophetic Imagination

by Walter Brueggemann

Publisher:

Fortress Press

, 2012

Overview

Known as one of America’s best theologians and one of the world’s foremost scholars on the Old Testament, Walter Brueggemann has inspired young scholars and students and driven the discourse on theology with some of the biggest players in contemporary Bible scholarship.

Walter Brueggemann declares that the necessary character of truly prophetic preaching today is “a contestation between narratives.” If the dominant narrative of our time promotes national self-sufficiency (through militarism) and personal self-sufficiency (through consumerism), it must be opposed by a different narrative. Prophetic preaching takes its stand in a world claimed by a God who is gracious, uncompromising—and real. Brueggemann writes here for leaders in faith communities who bear the responsibility of preaching. He describes the discipline of a prophetic imagination, in an unflinchingly realistic, unwaveringly candid manner.

With the Logos Bible Software edition, you can journey through this volume with today’s most advanced tools for reading and studying God’s Word. All Scripture passages are linked to your library’s original language texts and English translations. Enhance your study with Logos’ advanced features—search by topic to find out what Brueggemann teaches on the Exodus, or find every mention of “Psalm 91” throughout his works.

Key Features

• Provides essential Old Testament scholarship from one of the most prominent living scholars
• Contains clear and deep insight on prophetic preaching, and what that looks like within the church
• Includes material perfect for pastors, professors, counselors, and Old Testament scholars

Contents

• The Narrative Embedment of Prophetic Preaching
• Prophetic Preaching as Sustained, Disciplined, Emancipated Imagination
• Loss Imagined as Divine Judgment
• A Lingering Place of Relinquishment
• The Burst of Newness amid Waiting
• The Continuing Mandate

Praise for the Print Edition

Walter Brueggemann’s early work on prophecy and imagination has become foundational for a whole generation of preachers and scholars, including me. Here he returns to perhaps the most characteristic of all his myriad ventures, with unaltered vigor and razor-sharp edge. Prophets are not just provocateurs: they are those who profoundly love their people, deeply know their tradition, and can’t but speak of what they both love and know. Brueggemann both loves and knows. That’s what makes him a prophet. Would that we were more like him. Reading this book is a healthy first step.

—Sam Wells, vicar, St. Martin-in-the-Fields, London

Product Details

• Title: The Practice of Prophetic Imagination
• Author: Walter Brueggemann
• Publisher: Augsburg Fortress
• Publication Date: 2012
• Pages: 176

About Walter Brueggemann

Walter Brueggemann through his teaching, lecturing, and writing, has effectively demonstrated the significance of the Old Testament for our fractured world today. Recognized as the preeminent interpreter of the ancient texts in relation to questions posed by a variety of academic disciplines, he has shown the way toward a compelling understanding of the major components of the faith and life of ancient Israel, especially its Psalms, the prophets, and the narratives. His award-winning Theology of the Old Testament quickly became a foundational work in the field.

Brueggemann, who holds a ThD from Union Seminary, New York, and a PhD from St. Louis University, is William Marcellus McPheeters Professor of Old Testament at Columbia Theological Seminary, Decatur, Georgia. He was previously professor of Old Testament at Eden Theological Seminary, St. Louis. His many Fortress Press books, including The Threat of Life: Sermons on Pain, Power, and Weakness, exhibit a fecund combination of imaginative power, sound scholarship, and a passion of justice and redemption.

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Contents

Top Highlights

“Thus I propose that the ancient prophets are in fact imaginers; and those of us who follow in their wake are imaginers after them.” (Page 24)

“By ‘imagination’ I mean the capacity to generate and enunciate images of reality that are not rooted in the world in front of us. Thus imagination moves outside the box of the given and the taken for granted.” (Page 25)

“Prophetic preaching depends upon the regular reperformance of this narrative that presents YHWH, the agent of wonder and nourishment, the giver of commandments who presides over our waiting, as the defining reality of the world. It is this retelling that creates an environment for prophetic preaching. And where the narrative is not kept available and persuasive in all its scandalous force, prophetic preaching has little chance of being either uttered or heard.” (Pages 13–14)

“Thus I suggest that prophetic preaching can take place only where the preacher is deeply embedded in the YHWH narrative. When the listening community is also embedded there or at least has a residual attachment to that narrative, a chance for engagement is offered.” (Page 4)

“(b) The tradition of wilderness sojourn is ‘travel music’ from bondage to new land.” (Page 7)

Product Details

• Title: The Practice of Prophetic Imagination: Preaching an Emancipating Word
• Author: Walter Brueggemann
• Publisher: Fortress Press
• Print Publication Date: 2012
• Logos Release Date: 2013
• Era: era:contemporary
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subjects: Preaching; Imagination › Religious aspects--Christianity
• Resource ID: LLS:PRCTPROPHIMAG
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2025-01-16T19:23:27Z

About Walter Brueggemann

Walter Brueggemann is William Marcellus McPheeters Professor of Old Testament Emeritus at Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Georgia. He is past president of the Society of Biblical Literature and the author of numerous books, including David’s Truth: In Israel’s Imagination and Memory, Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching Genesis, and The Message of the Psalms: A Theological Commentary.