Customer Reviews

The Covenanted Self

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Although the first section moves just a little slow for the lay reader (he speaks of pyschological backgrounds in family relationships), the rest of the book is typical profundity as one would expect from Brueggemann.

In fact, this book is probbaly the most quotable Brueggemann to date (I've read about a dozen of his books).

Among the discussions: *The "dialectic" between PRAISE and COMPLAINT in the Christian life; *The concept of "othering" as the risky, demanding, dynamic process of relating to one who is not us; *Approaching God as EROS

For too long, we have lost sight of what the Law is really about. Since Martin Luther, people have started to view it as a means to personal salvation, rather that what it really intended. This book takes us back to what the Law really says to us, first by helping us understand the Exodus story, and how a new society was envisioned, in direct contrast to the Pharoah who enslaved the Hebrews. Then the author applies this to our lives and our situation. If we think about it, the Law calls us to a radical reordering of our government and all of our affairs. The ideas, such as total dept relief after 7 years, and concern for the marginalized have profound implications for our structuring of society today. This may be why we have chosen to ignore it for so long. What I really enjoy is how this is applied to the reign of God that Jesus also espoused. An excellent book! But be careful, it may forever change how you view government policy, and even vote!

Although the first section moves just a little slow for the lay reader (he speaks of pyschological backgrounds in family relationships), the rest of the book is typical profundity as one would expect from Brueggemann.

In fact, this book is probbaly the most quotable Brueggemann to date (I've read about a dozen of his books).

Among the discussions: *The "dialectic" between PRAISE and COMPLAINT in the Christian life; *The concept of "othering" as the risky, demanding, dynamic process of relating to one who is not us; *Approaching God as EROS

Excellent. Insightful. It toke a little time to read becasue I would often pause to think about the author was saying. A must read for every Chrisitian and those who want to learn more about human nature