Living Toward a Vision: Biblical Reflections on Shalom

by Walter Brueggemann

Book Overview

A classic set of biblical reflections on peace and on the church's role to foster peace in the world. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 082980613X
• ISBN13: 9780829806137
• Release Date: August 1982
• Publisher: United Church Press
• Length: 201 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.5" x 8.2"

Customer Reviews

from the back cover of the book:

"if we are to do God's word as well as talk about it, we need a vision to guide our doing and acting... Shalom can hardly be defined or reduced to formula. And that is its power... Our faith comes to fullness as we are teased to think new thoughts, as our imagination is lured beyond 'business as usual'... This book is a collection of reflections by a person uniquely qualified to give them... The author combines some rare qualities that make these reflections especially useful... to pastors and to lay persons. He is a recognized biblical authority, but also a warm, even earthy communicator. He is a seminary dean... but also a tireless worker in the church. He is a scholar, but also a passionate seeker after social justice. He is an author of many books on the Bible, but also an educator. He holds doctorates in both fields."

Bruegge's Vision of Shalom

Prof. Brueggemann has an big emblem of Shalom in Hebrew letters pictured in plain view on the largest wall in his double-sized office. In his "Author's Preface to the Second Edition" from 1982, he points to being convinced that "the argument made here is still pertinent to the relentlessly contemporary agenda of peace." Then he identifies three things which have changed: "The shape of the peace agenda in our society has become more urgent and more pervasive." Secondly, "The way we interpret scripture has changed a great deal in the past several years. Third, this interpreter as author of the essays has changed in various ways!"While our professor readily admits to change, within one of his longest paragraphs in my memory of recent writings he admits to becoming more cynical about the prospects of peace, and more buoyantly confessional about what what is promised by God. Adding his usual four adverbs: "We are profoundly enmeshed in a war system... enmeshed economically, psychologically, hermeneutically, and in every other way." What looks like unique simplicity at first glance becomes abundant Old & New Testament passages to enhance his Reflections from Biblical authority. He is writing as One who has become more mellow in his inclusive piling-up on top of scholarly, pastorally, psychologically passion about his insistence for Shalom... But always contained in his alternative world of social justice. This he thoughtfully expressed in a recent sermon on "Children of the Power-Bestowing God" in the Ebenezer Baptist Church next to the Martin Luther King Memorial Center! This has been my easiest of 14 reviews for Sir Walter's Poems!Well-worth anyone's time or thought for reading. I recommend this to Prison Inmates next Sunday Eve. Chaplain Fred W Hood

Living Toward A Vision

If you, as a Christian, have wondered if the Old Testament held any other value than historicity, this book is for you. Professor Brueggeman expertly leads one back and forth from Old to New Testaments showing a continuing theme that continues to resonate with clarity; that being, "Who is in control." He gives ample scriptural reference to illustrate and authenticate his premise that neither God nor mankind have essentially changed, which leaves one with a sense of promise and hope. He presents, due to his depth of understanding of the subject, many different aspects of "Shalom" that non-jewish people would possibly overlook or be ignorant of. Each time I re-read this material, I am aware of new understandings which deepen my appreciation for the Bible in it's entirety, not just the New Testament or some of the prophets. I feel truly enlightened and indebted to the Professor, especially at this time in our current history which some would have us believe is teetering on the verge of extinction. This is most heartening, prophetic, and helpful. His interjection of personal droll remarks make this easy to read - and enjoy as well.