Mandate to Difference: An Invitation to the Contemporary Church (Paperback)

by Walter Brueggemann (Author)
Key Phrases: brick quotas, dominant script, steadfast love endures, Second Isaiah, United States, Karl Barth (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Renowned Old Testament scholar Brueggemann offers some profound insights in this collection of essays, roughly tied together by themes of social justice in the Bible and in the contemporary church. The best moments are his specific exegetical observations about the politics, economics, religious practices and community customs of various societies in the Hebrew Bible. Brueggemann produces a persuasive report card on the deficiencies of King Solomon as opposed to King Josiah, measuring their effectiveness by the yardstick of social justice. He examines three magnificent biblical poems of worship and also explores the fourth commandment as a radical "alternative to the quota system of the empire." Despite these flashes of brilliance, the book does not cohere well as a collection. The eleven essays, which Brueggemann delivered orally in various venues throughout 2005, are only loosely connected to one another, though most of the individual pieces are well researched and thought provoking. (Jan.)
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Product Details

• Paperback: 232 pages
• Publisher: Westminster John Knox Press; 1 edition (January 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0664231217
• ISBN-13: 978-0664231217
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #368,177 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mandate to Difference: An Invitation to the Contemporary Church, August 8, 2007

By	G. Howell (Florida) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book addresses the IMPORTANT issues that are facing the church today. Brueggemann gives a fresh perpective on what we really need to change. He is truly a modern prophet.

5.0 out of 5 stars Cahllenging Reading, February 2, 2009

By	Lloyd E. Siverns (Vancouver BC) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Seems that everything that Walter Brueggemann writes is well worth reading. He is always stimuaitng and challenging. Bought this book for myself and a second copy for a friend.

3 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Too many titles addressed, June 8, 2007

By	John C. Livingston (South Carolinal) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This was somewhat helpful. The writings came from many conditions and subjects. Some were more helpful than others.