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Inscribing the Text: Sermons and Prayers of Walter Brueggemann

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As anticipated, the book was a delight to read, more like a conversation with a companion over a couple of days than a brow-knitting exercise in academic critique. And, writing a review is worth the price of the experience.

This collection of prayers and sermons by Walter Brueggemann, now Professor Emeritus of Old Testament in the William Marcellus McPheeters Chair at Columbia Theological Seminary, is a companion volume to an earlier collection by the same publisher, Awed to Heaven, Rooted in Earth (2003). Those readers who are familiar with Brueggemann's works (there is a plethora to choose from, the man is an industry unto himself) know with anticipation that this work too can only be good.

The sermons are wide-ranging in themes, scripture text, and occasion. The original context of these sermons range from chapel addresses to colloquia presentations; from congregational sermons to lecture series events; from homiletic conferences to the 100th anniversary of the author's home church (Peace UCC in Tilden, Nebraska). These sermons have a characteristic Brueggemann style in their construction, movement, and structure, and those who have heard the author speak will hear the echo of the spoken voice throughout. There are twenty-three sermons and twenty five prayers, and the book concludes with a helpful index of biblical references.

The first chapter of the book (though not designated as such) is a paper presented at the Festival of Homiletics in Chicago in 2002 (originally appearing in the Scottish Journal of Theology and revised for this volume). This essay, itself titled "The Preacher as Scribe" provides the title of the book. In this piece Brueggemann challenges preachers to "speak truth to power," but not by influence of office or personality or skill, but rather, through respecting the power of the text to do so. He concludes, "The text is a voice of truth, albeit an elusive one. Yet when text-time is well managed, truth does speak to power-but not through the advocacy of the preacher." (p. 17).

The sermons are model exposition, without being expository, with a decidedly didactic element to them. In these sermons Brueggemann models how it is possible to stay close to the text while providing both an authentic and contemporary interpretation and the prophetic function that is sorely needed in today's pulpits.

I have found reading Brueggemann's sermons and prayers to be deeply nourishing and challenging. In a world of thin theology and even thinner devotions, this text is deep and rich soil for the soul. I have found this be a wonderful devotional for the thoughful - each day reading a sermon or prayer that stirs, quickens and inspires the heart and mind. This is a gem and catalyst...

This is a good book to spur your Biblical curiosity and to satisfy your longing for something new, yet trustworthy, in the way of a devotional resource. The subtitle only hints at the richness of this collection of prayers, poems, meditations on Biblical passages, sermons and what might better be called essays on Biblical themes. It provides the careful reader with concepts that will be helpful as devotions and for deeper reflective study.

Professor Brueggemann talks about the preacher's role as scribe-which may seem a startling notion for those who recall Jesus' warnings about the Scribes and Pharisees-however, the role of "truth speaking to power" is what he has in mind. In other words, offering those who can make a difference a view of God's truth so that it can become a motivating factor in the church's work and witness. It seems like a good approach for all Christians, by the way.

I particularly appreciated the sermon "Missing by Nine Miles" about the visit of the Magi. Dr. Brueggemann contrasts the halls of power in Jerusalem with the simple profundity of the stable in Bethlehem. Reminding me of the old saying "a miss is as good as a mile", the prophet in Dr. Brueggemann provides a Biblical argument for the efficacy of such overlooked character traits as vulnerability, neighborliness and generosity, in contrast to what "wise guys from the East" might have, at first, thought.

The way that the words are set onto the page, the reader can almost hear Dr. Bruegemann speaking-and those who have been fortunate enough to hear him in person will indeed sense the tone of his voice in the ink on the paper.

Walter Brueggemann is a towering presence of our time, for the Church at large, having served as a professor in several leading seminaries and as a preacher and writer whose words are consistently inspirational. He is professor emeritus of Old Testament at Columbia Theological Seminary PC(USA) in Decatur, Georgia. If you ever have a chance to hear him speak, take it. And if not, this book is a good alternative.

This amazing Teacher, Prophet, Writer, Friend of Students, Searcher of classic faculty personalities as Kathleen O'Connor, Anna Carter Florence, Christina Roy Yoder, has collected in one volume his best sermons, prayers, & poems! After my first time of hearing Sir Walter in St. Luke's Pentecost Sunday of 1993; again at Montreat teaching large classes of Psalms & Jeremiah; that fall teaching Psalms, Survey of OT, finally in 2003, O.T. Theology...I understood clearly his canonical, Deuteronomist, dramatically inspired adventures into the Hebrew Bible, prayers beginning every class and good-natured jousts with bright, young students + one older curmudgeon... all came from his amazing graciousness!

What more can I say of the Man but his "Inscribing the Text" has included amazing sermons from his home-town of Tilden Neb. ; Lectures to 3 Homiletics' Festivals, Sermons at Columbia, in his retiring, Psalm 73 at 2003 Colloquium, Sermons from Jeremiah, Lamentations, plus awesome, energizing Prayers! From one older, perenial student who is proud to know & love Bruegge, AMEN!
Retired Chap Fred W Hood

I read this book over a couple of days, and found it to be compelling and solid. It uses as preaching texts several texts from Jeremiah, the Psalms and Lamentations, as well as Isaiah. The sermons are recent, and do not avoid hot political topics. If there was more preaching like this in the churches, we would never worry about the decline of the church, or the prophetic imagination. Well worth the read for lay person and preacher alike.

Most readers with an interest in contemporary theologians know Walter Brueggemann as an outstanding and insightful theologian. Few would, however, describe his major works as easy reading. INSCRIBING THE TEXT shows another side of Brueggmann. These prayers and sermons are infused with such lyricism and clarity that they rise to level of fine literature. The prayers especially are outstanding examples of religious poetry and provide a happy contrast to the usual saccharin stuff that masquerades as religious or devotional writing. Highly recommended for style and content....

I am about half way through this book and I love it. I yearn for this type of teaching and preaching in my personal life and it seems to be at a minimum....at least in my life's experience. I plan to read it over and over until it deeply sinks in. I look forward to reading more of this author's books.