Customer Reviews

A Social Reading of the Old Testament

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Brueggemann combines his sociological and exegetical skills to provide an interpretation of Old Testament texts that is challenging and meaningful. He highlights the tension between institutionalisation and revolution, complacency and subversion which exists in the Bible. On the one hand, there are texts that glorify and support the establishment, which tolerate the oppression of the majority by the powerful. On the other hand, there is God's voice responding to the cry of the oppressed. This is a God who wants to enter a new, and transformative relationship with humanity.

Those of us who confine our interpretation of scripture to the literary or the historical, or who see the Bible as confirming a politically conservative view of the world, will find this book uncomfortable. Brueggemann is not neutral - nor should he be - and has obvious affinity for the voice of liberation, transformation, justice and peace that calls to us from the Biblical texts. Sometimes, his interpretation is a little forced (as in chapter 5) but such an interpretation is always easy to read and definitely worth considering.

As one who enjoys the wisdom literature of the Old Testsament, I found Brueggemann's critique of the sociological background of wisdom more than a little disconcerting. His words challenged me to reflect on my own position in society and to ask myself about the extent to which it influences my response to the Old Testament.

A final word: the second chapter of the book, "Covenant as a subversive paradigm", is inspirational.