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The Bible Makes Sense
The Bible Makes Sense is a "how-to" book for Christians interested in learning how to make sense of those parts of the Bible that are many times misunderstood or avoided because of their perceived complexity. Walter Brueggemann presents this book in an easy to read format that allows for individual and group reflection, discussion, and meditation on a variety of Bible passages.
125 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 1978
5 people are currently reading
137 people want to read
About the author
Walter Brueggemann
318 books584 followersWalter Brueggemann was an American Christian scholar and theologian who is widely considered an influential Old Testament scholar. His work often focused on the Hebrew prophetic tradition and the sociopolitical imagination of the Church. He argued that the Church must provide a counter-narrative to the dominant forces of consumerism, militarism, and nationalism.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
August 11, 2012
This book is ... okay. It has a few good insights, and Brueggemann is a powerful author. But he has an unhealthy tendency to write sentences filled with beautiful images that makes his meaning and, more importantly, its implications unclear.
For example, "Reconciliation is to give such people back their empowered personhood so that they may be fully engaged in the historical process." - What does it mean? Does it mean that we can take away people's personhood ... or just their empowerment? Does it mean that if people aren't empowered, they aren't a part of the historical process? What does that mean for slaves of all times?
In my opinion, Brueggemann's flowery language hides a lot of fundamental theological errors. His language is more suited to a political pundit than a careful theologian. He makes many Either/Or statements. He uses a lot of absolutes ... and what's more, he doesn't stop and support them. God is THIS, therefore. Well, WHY is God this? And what about these other things? What makes this primary?
Brueggemann also takes biblical ideas and modernizes them, and then theologizes from the modern version. Orphans really means "people without a voice in society", therfore ... etc. Well, maybe. But it sure sounds like the Bible was talking about actual orphans. You know, the kind with no parents. If you want to make a conceptual leap, make it! But justify it. Don't pretend like you are just taking a little step.
He blows past the major confusing issues of theology without any discussion -- and that is supposed to be the point of the book!
For example, "God is for us and fights for us" ... so what does that mean for people who are not yet us ... like the Egyptians ... were they ALL evil?
There just isn't enough proof for anything!
So, read this book. It's short and it raises some good issues. I agree with a lot of what Brueggemann says even when I don't agree with the way he says it.
But when Brueggemann says "This is that, so therefore" stop and THINK.
Does it contradict anything else in Scripture?
What does it MEAN?
What does it DEVALUE?
Because sometimes it does contradict other passages of Scripture, at least in my opinion. For example,
"God is above all a covenant-making and covenant keeping God."
"Therefore as image bearers, we should be primarily involved in making and keeping covenants."
Brueggemann's logic seems impeccable. Except that it also seems to directly contradict several passages of Scripture, most notably Jesus's statement in Matthew 5 " But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; 35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. 36 And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. 37 All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one" From the EVIL ONE! I'm not saying that means Christians shouldn't make covenants at all ... I'm just saying that if you are going to make a huge statement like Christians should be PRIMARILY involved with making and keeping covenants, you should at least TALK about passages like this (and James 4 and a few others!).
Finally, a "primal narrative" is not a credo. It is a narrative. What Brueggemann offers is a credo. What makes this credo primal? Don't know. What makes it a narrative? Don't know that either, except maybe narrative sounds cooler. But that's just being nitpicky, isn't it?
For example, "Reconciliation is to give such people back their empowered personhood so that they may be fully engaged in the historical process." - What does it mean? Does it mean that we can take away people's personhood ... or just their empowerment? Does it mean that if people aren't empowered, they aren't a part of the historical process? What does that mean for slaves of all times?
In my opinion, Brueggemann's flowery language hides a lot of fundamental theological errors. His language is more suited to a political pundit than a careful theologian. He makes many Either/Or statements. He uses a lot of absolutes ... and what's more, he doesn't stop and support them. God is THIS, therefore. Well, WHY is God this? And what about these other things? What makes this primary?
Brueggemann also takes biblical ideas and modernizes them, and then theologizes from the modern version. Orphans really means "people without a voice in society", therfore ... etc. Well, maybe. But it sure sounds like the Bible was talking about actual orphans. You know, the kind with no parents. If you want to make a conceptual leap, make it! But justify it. Don't pretend like you are just taking a little step.
He blows past the major confusing issues of theology without any discussion -- and that is supposed to be the point of the book!
For example, "God is for us and fights for us" ... so what does that mean for people who are not yet us ... like the Egyptians ... were they ALL evil?
There just isn't enough proof for anything!
So, read this book. It's short and it raises some good issues. I agree with a lot of what Brueggemann says even when I don't agree with the way he says it.
But when Brueggemann says "This is that, so therefore" stop and THINK.
Does it contradict anything else in Scripture?
What does it MEAN?
What does it DEVALUE?
Because sometimes it does contradict other passages of Scripture, at least in my opinion. For example,
"God is above all a covenant-making and covenant keeping God."
"Therefore as image bearers, we should be primarily involved in making and keeping covenants."
Brueggemann's logic seems impeccable. Except that it also seems to directly contradict several passages of Scripture, most notably Jesus's statement in Matthew 5 " But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; 35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. 36 And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. 37 All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one" From the EVIL ONE! I'm not saying that means Christians shouldn't make covenants at all ... I'm just saying that if you are going to make a huge statement like Christians should be PRIMARILY involved with making and keeping covenants, you should at least TALK about passages like this (and James 4 and a few others!).
Finally, a "primal narrative" is not a credo. It is a narrative. What Brueggemann offers is a credo. What makes this credo primal? Don't know. What makes it a narrative? Don't know that either, except maybe narrative sounds cooler. But that's just being nitpicky, isn't it?
December 8, 2021
I really enjoyed this book. How we read the Bible seems to divide the church. I'm sure there are plenty of people who would disagree with what Brueggemann says but he provides a lot of food for thought. It is worth reading to just have your preconceptions challenged.
January 21, 2010
This was a very appropriate and important book for me to be reading at this point. I have recently gotten into theology quite a bit more(at least on a more scholarly level) but have found myself without resources in helping me understand some of the basics. I had read some larger works and my comprehension was sufficient enough to make it worthwhile, but not quite enough for full understanding.
Along comes this book, though, and it has furthered the idea that I study and read the Bible with different eyes. It seems that so much of my upbringing and other learning needs and deserves to be shed so that I attempt to understand the Bible without certain assumptions. Granted, any author I read will have different assumptions and angles towards this text, but by taking a more scholarly approach to try and understand what these words/instances meant for the initial readers I am transported to another level of understanding. A faithful understanding of the culture allows for true wisdom to be gleaned for today rather than a sampling to suit my presumptions. I want to be unsettled reading the Bible.
Anyways, all this to say that this was very helpful in both boosting my current state and beginning the process of seeing the Scriptures in a new light. This would probably be boring for advanced theologians, but for those looking to break in, this is a great start. Each chapter goes through a different theme that is prevalent throughout the Bible and it is presented extremely cohesively and has reflection questions and verses to meditate on in the "new" light. I appreciate Walter so much and this effort I'm especially grateful for at this time.
Along comes this book, though, and it has furthered the idea that I study and read the Bible with different eyes. It seems that so much of my upbringing and other learning needs and deserves to be shed so that I attempt to understand the Bible without certain assumptions. Granted, any author I read will have different assumptions and angles towards this text, but by taking a more scholarly approach to try and understand what these words/instances meant for the initial readers I am transported to another level of understanding. A faithful understanding of the culture allows for true wisdom to be gleaned for today rather than a sampling to suit my presumptions. I want to be unsettled reading the Bible.
Anyways, all this to say that this was very helpful in both boosting my current state and beginning the process of seeing the Scriptures in a new light. This would probably be boring for advanced theologians, but for those looking to break in, this is a great start. Each chapter goes through a different theme that is prevalent throughout the Bible and it is presented extremely cohesively and has reflection questions and verses to meditate on in the "new" light. I appreciate Walter so much and this effort I'm especially grateful for at this time.
December 26, 2008
The Bible Makes Sense
Walter Brueggemann
Westminster John Knoxx Press
ISBN 0-664-22495-4
“Well of course it does!”, or perhaps you don't agree? This is really a Bible Study work book, but we have it as an assigned text and have been loaned a copy. Each chapter is followed by a series of questions that can be used for reflection or discussion, then some Bible passages for meditation. Following this there is some summary text. The book starts with a fresh perspective which sets the Christian faith against the background of the post modern world that we live in. Through each of the ten chapters we get a different view, or emphasis of the Bible. Some will speak more clearly to you than others. Some you might even disagree with, but that's really what the book is for – making (or should I say helping) us think – about the Bible in our setting. The way I read this book is not ideal, but even so I believe it is a useful resource, and invaluable if you are in a Bible Study group where the members are prepared to do some ground work before the meeting.
I liked it so much, I'm going to buy my own copy!
Walter Brueggemann
Westminster John Knoxx Press
ISBN 0-664-22495-4
“Well of course it does!”, or perhaps you don't agree? This is really a Bible Study work book, but we have it as an assigned text and have been loaned a copy. Each chapter is followed by a series of questions that can be used for reflection or discussion, then some Bible passages for meditation. Following this there is some summary text. The book starts with a fresh perspective which sets the Christian faith against the background of the post modern world that we live in. Through each of the ten chapters we get a different view, or emphasis of the Bible. Some will speak more clearly to you than others. Some you might even disagree with, but that's really what the book is for – making (or should I say helping) us think – about the Bible in our setting. The way I read this book is not ideal, but even so I believe it is a useful resource, and invaluable if you are in a Bible Study group where the members are prepared to do some ground work before the meeting.
I liked it so much, I'm going to buy my own copy!
August 21, 2011
This a definite resource for Amahoro Gathering(s) this May! Some great commentary on resurrection, too. No one writes as poetically and prophetically on the text as Walter!
October 6, 2017
Walter has both a powerful command of prose and a powerful command of the Bible. Let me share my takeaways from this compelling book.
Covenant
"The God whom we confess is a serious partner in our life."
"Nothing and nobody can separate us. Nothing can come between God and the people of the covenant."
Our relationship with God is a serious matter. Yes, it is a relationship where we are both loved by God and we reciprocate our love for and to God. However it is much more than just this.
God wishes to be our partner in life. God wants us to make a commitment to this lifelong relationship and partnership. God is serious about His love for us and His life long partnership with us. Because God is committed, He wants us to be too! Our relationship and love for God is a wonderful, exciting, and life changing covenant that we enter into with God.
With Us and For Us
"We are bold to affirm that in Jesus we know fully and unmistakably that God is not only with us but for us."
In Jesus God came to visit with us in human form. God did not come just to visit. God came to be for us. The actions we see by Jesus reveal the extent to which God was for us. These actions included healing and feasting. Jesus healed people to their innermost core. He made them feel whole. He accepted people that others would not accept. Everyone was welcome at His table: lepers, prostitutes, the demon possessed, the sick and the lame. It is in this way that Jesus was with us and for us. Jesus continues to be with us and for us.
Home Bringing
"The actions of Jesus are home-bringing events. He came especially to the outcasts, displaced, and rejected ones in society (the lepers, the demon possessed, the sick, the lame). And he acted toward them in ways so that they could be "at home" again. To bring people home is God's work."
"It is a whole new self-understanding to know that our vocation is to end Exile and bring people to a sense of being home."
Jesus brings us home! Jesus brings everyone home! No one is left out. No one deserves to be left out. Our vocation is to help Jesus bring everyone home. We are to end the exile in the world and let everyone know that they are loved, welcomed and valued.
Life and Death
"Life means to be significantly involved in the community of caring, meaning, and action."
"Death means to be excluded from such a community or denied access to its caring, meaning, or action."
Life is not an individual matter. Life is to be lived in community. It is in community where we take care of each other. We let people know that their lives and actions and have meaning. Our combined and shared actions create powerful synergy!
Newness
"The central invitation of the Bible is to embrace newness."
"Most of us are heavily committed to what is old and exhausted, and we have quit hoping that God can do his newness among us."
We are new creations. Christ is within us. Each day is an opportunity to take new Christ inspired action. If we open to God this newness will flow out of us!
Final Thoughts
"The Bible finally is not concerned with right morality, right piety, or right doctrine. Rather it is concerned with faithful relationships between God and the people, between all the brothers and sisters in God's community, and between God's community in the world God has made."
Relationships are important to God! God loves each one of us! God will not force us to love Him but wishes that we love Him back. God also wants us to love others in our community and even those in other communities that we may or may not come in contact with. Community is important to God. The community is to love and take care of its members.
"It is here presumed that the Bible is not an "object" for us to study but a partner with whom we may dialogue."
The Bible is an invitation to and for dialogue. When we open and read it's pages we should feel comfortable to have honest dialogue with God and our brothers and sisters about the content on its very pages.
I will need to take a second read soon to mine more of its nuggets. I hope you feel compelled to check out this powerful little book.
Rich Lewis
www.SilenceTeaches.com
Covenant
"The God whom we confess is a serious partner in our life."
"Nothing and nobody can separate us. Nothing can come between God and the people of the covenant."
Our relationship with God is a serious matter. Yes, it is a relationship where we are both loved by God and we reciprocate our love for and to God. However it is much more than just this.
God wishes to be our partner in life. God wants us to make a commitment to this lifelong relationship and partnership. God is serious about His love for us and His life long partnership with us. Because God is committed, He wants us to be too! Our relationship and love for God is a wonderful, exciting, and life changing covenant that we enter into with God.
With Us and For Us
"We are bold to affirm that in Jesus we know fully and unmistakably that God is not only with us but for us."
In Jesus God came to visit with us in human form. God did not come just to visit. God came to be for us. The actions we see by Jesus reveal the extent to which God was for us. These actions included healing and feasting. Jesus healed people to their innermost core. He made them feel whole. He accepted people that others would not accept. Everyone was welcome at His table: lepers, prostitutes, the demon possessed, the sick and the lame. It is in this way that Jesus was with us and for us. Jesus continues to be with us and for us.
Home Bringing
"The actions of Jesus are home-bringing events. He came especially to the outcasts, displaced, and rejected ones in society (the lepers, the demon possessed, the sick, the lame). And he acted toward them in ways so that they could be "at home" again. To bring people home is God's work."
"It is a whole new self-understanding to know that our vocation is to end Exile and bring people to a sense of being home."
Jesus brings us home! Jesus brings everyone home! No one is left out. No one deserves to be left out. Our vocation is to help Jesus bring everyone home. We are to end the exile in the world and let everyone know that they are loved, welcomed and valued.
Life and Death
"Life means to be significantly involved in the community of caring, meaning, and action."
"Death means to be excluded from such a community or denied access to its caring, meaning, or action."
Life is not an individual matter. Life is to be lived in community. It is in community where we take care of each other. We let people know that their lives and actions and have meaning. Our combined and shared actions create powerful synergy!
Newness
"The central invitation of the Bible is to embrace newness."
"Most of us are heavily committed to what is old and exhausted, and we have quit hoping that God can do his newness among us."
We are new creations. Christ is within us. Each day is an opportunity to take new Christ inspired action. If we open to God this newness will flow out of us!
Final Thoughts
"The Bible finally is not concerned with right morality, right piety, or right doctrine. Rather it is concerned with faithful relationships between God and the people, between all the brothers and sisters in God's community, and between God's community in the world God has made."
Relationships are important to God! God loves each one of us! God will not force us to love Him but wishes that we love Him back. God also wants us to love others in our community and even those in other communities that we may or may not come in contact with. Community is important to God. The community is to love and take care of its members.
"It is here presumed that the Bible is not an "object" for us to study but a partner with whom we may dialogue."
The Bible is an invitation to and for dialogue. When we open and read it's pages we should feel comfortable to have honest dialogue with God and our brothers and sisters about the content on its very pages.
I will need to take a second read soon to mine more of its nuggets. I hope you feel compelled to check out this powerful little book.
Rich Lewis
www.SilenceTeaches.com
August 28, 2024
3.5/5 for this theological reflection on the place and role of the Bible in faith and how we can see it through some clear lenses in order to highlight its importance. I read this for a class I’ll be taking on Exodus soon. It was pretty dense, but not terribly so, and hey, it’s not too long!
December 29, 2017
Short, sweet, easy introduction for an approach (for folks who are already Christian) to read the Bible.
December 13, 2020
No Bible reader looks at the whole of the text in a completely horizontal way. We give prominence to certain texts and interpret other parts of scripture by the light of those we deem more significant. Not everyone however is self-aware in so doing. Brueggemann writes in his usual erudite but accessible way and is very clear about the way he frames the whole of scripture. I found the chapter called “Making Sense as an Insider” to be the most stimulating. In his view we begin with the primal narratives which give us the simple non-negotiable story line at the heart of biblical faith. Around those narratives are arranged the expanded narrative, the derivative narratives, the literature of institutionalization, the literature of mature theological reflection, and the literature of instruction and vocation.
November 26, 2020
Encontré este libro vagando por las estanterías de la biblioteca y me ha sorprendido muy gratamente. El autor tiene mucho conocimiento de causa y transmite un respeto y un amor por la Biblia que me han inspirado. Si entendiéramos el poder que tiene la Biblia, no seríamos los mismos. Si creyéramos realmente en ella como la Palabra de Dios, nuestras vidas y sociedades serían muy diferentes. A estas conclusiones llego, a grandes rasgos, con este libro que si puedes leer, te recomiendo.
Pd: Puedes ver mis citas favoritas en https://www.xn--nlectora-o5a.com/
Pd: Puedes ver mis citas favoritas en https://www.xn--nlectora-o5a.com/
September 22, 2015
This is one of my favorite book of Brueggemann. This is a thin accessible volume that helps us wrap our minds around the Bible and to perceive its perennial themes. Brueggemann writes this book, not for the academic, but for the average Joe who wants to make sense of the Bible.
-Amos Smith (author of Healing The Divide: Recovering Christianity's Mystic Roots)
-Amos Smith (author of Healing The Divide: Recovering Christianity's Mystic Roots)
April 9, 2014
Required reading for school. Honestly can't say that I got much out of it. I didn't get the impression that the teacher was having us read it for any reason other than the school requires it to be required reading. May update my thoughts after we discuss this in class, but for now...
June 17, 2013
Scripture as a dialogue partner, I like that.
August 8, 2015
Some great insights, per usual with Brueggemann
October 26, 2012
A must read
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews