In this book renowned scholar Walter Brueggemann brings us a characteristically penetrating and provocative account of the ways in which the Old Testament is offered as an alternative to the imperial narrative that can dominate ordinary imagination.

Walter Brueggemann

Copyright information

Dedication

Foreword

Preface

Introduction

1. The Nature and Mission of God: Irreducibly, Inscrutably Relational

2. Justice: From Zion Back to Sinai

3. Grace: The Inexplicable Reach Beyond

4. Law: The Summons to Keep Listening

Justice, mercy, and the public good all find meaning in relationship-a relationship dependent upon fidelity, but endlessly open to the betrayals of infidelity. This paradox defines the story of God and Israel in the Old Testament. Yet the arc of this story reaches ever forward, and its trajectory confers meaning upon human relationships and communities in the present. The Old Testament still speaks. Israel, in the Old Testament, bears witness to a God who initiates and then sustains covenantal relationships. God, in mercy, does so by making promises for a just well-being and prescribing stipulations for the covenant partner's obedience. The nature of the relationship itself decisively depends upon the conduct, practice, and policy of the covenant partner, yet is radically rooted in the character and agency of God-the One who makes promises, initiates covenant, and sustains relationship. This reflexive, asymmetrical relationship, kept alive in the texts and tradition, now fires contemporary imagination. Justice becomes shaped by the practice of neighborliness, mercy reaches beyond a pervasive quid pro quo calculus, and law becomes a dynamic norming of the community. The well-being of the neighborhood, inspired by the biblical texts, makes possible-and even insists upon-an alternative to the ideology of individualism that governs our society's practice and policy. This kind of community life returns us to the arc of God's gifts-mercy, justice, and law. The covenant of God in the witness of biblical faith speaks now and demands that its interpreting community resist individualism, overcome commoditization, and thwart the rule of empire through a life of radical neighbor love.

"Always provocative and insightful, Walter Brueggemann brilliantly helps us see how the ancient text has stunning implications for how we think and live today. His deep love of God, Scripture, and humanity reverberates throughout this incisive exploration of God's excessive faithfulness."-Tremper Longman III, Robert H. Gundry Professor of Biblical Studies, Westmont College "In a society that commoditizes nearly all aspects of life, Walter Brueggemann presses Scripture's summons to a neighborliness attuned to the well-being of the human community and the ecology of creation. God, Neighbor, Empire sets its compass to truths from ancient Israel, but it is a map for finding our way in a contemporary world where 'liberty and justice for all' is often hard to find."-Samuel E. Balentine, Director of Graduate Studies and Professor of Old Testament, Union Presbyterian Seminary "Brueggemann's God, Neighbor, Empire is a stirring account of the various ways in which the Old Testament 'is offered as an alternative to the imperial narrative that dominates ordinary imagination'-both in ancient times and in the present. As always, one does not need to agree with every Brueggemann reading of the biblical text in order to find him a stimulating and helpful contributor to our understanding of some important themes of biblical theology overall, and of the ways that this theology should shape our imagination, our desire, and our practice, rather than merely reflect them."-Iain Provan, Marshall Sheppard Professor of Biblical Studies, Regent College

Water Brueggemann is William Marcellus McPheeters Professor Emeritus of Old Testament at Columbia Theological Seminary.

\- Brueggemann is widely considered to be one of the most influential Old Testament scholars and theologians of the last several decades. - This new work considers a close exegetical study of justice and empire in the Old Testament into dialogue with our contemporary political world.

Israel, in the Old Testament, bears witness to a God who initiates and then sustains covenantal relationships. The nature of this relationship decisively depends upon the conduct, practice, and policy of the covenant partner, yet is radically rooted in the character and agency of God?the One who makes promises, initiates covenant, and sustains relationship. In God, Neighbour, Empire, renowned Old Testament scholar Walter Brueggeman brings us a characteristically penetrating and provocative account of the ways in which the Old Testament is offered as an alternative to the imperial narrative that dominates ordinary imagination both in ancient times and in the present. Urgent and timely, the book suggests that the covenant of God in the witness of biblical faith speaks now and demands that its interpreting community should resist individualism, overcome commoditization, and thwart the rule of empire through a life of radical neighbour love.

"Always provocative and insightful, Walter Brueggemann brilliantly helps us see how the ancient text has stunning implications for how we think and live today. His deep love of God, Scripture, and humanity reverberates throughout this incisive exploration of God's excessive faithfulness."

"In a society that commoditizes nearly all aspects of life, Walter Brueggemann presses Scripture's summons to a neighborliness attuned to the well-being of the human community and the ecology of creation. God, Neighbor, Empire sets its compass to truths from ancient Israel, but it is a map for finding our way in a contemporary world where 'liberty and justice for all' is often hard to find."

This book is inspiring reading for any who preach regularly. It takes us deep into the heart of the biblical text, illuminating it with profound insight.

In the foreword, Jane Williams says: 'this book is inspiring for any who preach regularly.' I completely agree.

1\. The Nature and Mission of God Irreducibly, Inscrutably Relational 2. Justice From Zion Back to Sinai 3. Grace The Inexplicable Reach Beyond 4. Law The Summons to Keep Listening

\["For readers seeking deeper understanding of justice and mercy", "Explains how God's covenant shapes community life today", "You will discover the power of neighbourly love in action"\]

This profound book explores the relationship between divine fidelity and community well-being.

God, Neighbour, Empire

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God, Neighbour, Empire

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In this book renowned scholar Walter Brueggemann brings us a characteristically penetrating and provocative account of the ways in which the Old Testament is offered as an alternative to the imperial narrative that can dominate ordinary imagination.

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