An Unsettling God: The Heart of the Hebrew Bible

by Walter Brueggemann

In the pages of the Hebrew Bible, ancient Israel gave witness to its encounter with a profound and uncontrollable reality experienced through relationship. This book, drawn from the heart of foremost Old Testament theologian Walter Brueggemann's Theology of the Old Testament , distills a career's worth of insights into the core message of the Hebrew Bible. God is described there, Brueggemann observes, as engaging four "partners"-Israel, the nations, creation, and the human being-in the divine purpose. This volume presents Brueggemann at his most engaging, offering profound insights tailored especially for the beginning student of the Hebrew Bible.

Genres: Theology, Nonfiction, Religion, Biblical Studies, Old Testament, Christianity

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Walter 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.

Reviews

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though rather short in comparison to other books of similar content, the topic is dense. It takes a bit to get into Brueggermann's style but once you do, you're well rewarded for the effort. I will be the first to admit that some of his analysis went over my head, but other portions deeply resonated with me. I learned much from this analysis and would recommend it to anyone who wants to reassess how they view and understand the Old Testament.

[Jared · Rating 4 out of 5]

This volume is essentially a precis of Brueggemann's magisterial "Theology of the Old Testament," and, in many ways, an introduction to the latest phase of his writing programme. The strength here is how Brueggemann uses his focus on the way the OT foregrounds the relational aspects of YHWH's existence (with Israel, individual persons, the nations, and creation) to produce an outline of theology proper that contains within it the outlines of an OT theology of human existence, sin, salvation, mission, and even eschatology.

One of the most unique things about Brueggemann's writing is that though it is still evident how the guiding principles of his early work (e.g., "The Prophetic Imagination") remain in full play, he always manages to make those key insights fresh and intriguing. Brueggemann's work shows me the power of RE-reading Scripture, again and again, allowing it to both establish and overturn our most closely-held assumptions. I must confess that, at points, Brueggemann's oft-quotable prose became a bit overblown; however, for the most part, Brueggemann remains his lucid, poetic self.

For those who want an introduction to the massive Brueggemann oeuvre, this is perhaps one of the better entry points on offer. Brueggemann is a scholar of exceptional insight and rare rhetorical power, who can impress even when he is articulating a position with which the reader vehemently disagrees.

[Naomi · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are a number of key observations Brueggemann includes in this text that arise from recent Jewish-Christian biblical interpretation dialogue. For that reason, this is a good text for those not up on that dialogue and who are steeped in classical Christian biblical interpretation. The footnotes are important, and skimming the book will not give you the full import. Brueggemann is inviting the reader to a contemplative reflection, even a disputation or a wrestling, with classical christian interpretative traditions. One isn't expected to agree with everything he asserts, and I don't, particularly with his final assertion of the difference between Judaism and Christianity. That's okay - at the root of this text, Brueggemann is encouraging readers trained in christian biblical interpretation to stay open to discussion, to readings in ways that may seem uncomfortable, and to naming a core set of principles of reading and interpretation that honor both Judaism and Christianity. Brueggemann might say he's affirming YHWH's limitless generosity and extravagant abundance. We can call ourselves to an alleluia and pick up doubts, traditions, dialogues, and debates and keep weaving faith.

[Carl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Old Testament Revealed

Interesting method of analyzing the Scripture that I have never seen in my 30 plus years of study. I know I will use this text in my future endeavors to understand the themes of the Old Testament.

[JaneAnn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd give 4.5 if I could. Will reread.

[Bob Price · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why can't the Old Testament just be more simple? That was the question I had about half way through Walter Brueggemann's An Unsettling God, which is a simplified version of his Theology of the Old Testament.

However difficult the Old Testament may be, Brueggemann is very helpful in explaining several key areas that are central to the Old Testament. Brueggemann has a particular notion of YHWH's relationship to the world and what the Old Testament record has to say. In particular, Brueggemann is interested, not in a systematic theologians' definition of God, but God as He is in dialogue, in relationship.

So around this theme, Brueggemann then explores divine 'partnerships' as he calls them: YHWH and Israel, YHWH and humans, YHWH and the Nations and YHWH and Creation. What results is a fascinating look at how YHWH interacts with these differing personalities and the rest of the world.

We get a glimpse into Brueggemann's expertise in the Old Testament. This is not to say that you may or will agree with everything he had to say, I certainly didn't. But you cannot deny that the man has done his homework and he presents a formidable argument. At times, Brueggemann may betray his underlying Marxist sympathies, but he keeps them at bay most of the time.

His writing is very clear for a Old Testament theology textbook, but it won't hold your attention if you are easily dis tractable. In other words, you won't read this book at the beach or on the bus ride to work. But if you have a quiet place to read and contemplate, this book will hold your attention.

The best part about this book is the size. You can gain a quick access into Brueggemann's theology without wading through his massive OT theology book (which I also highly recommend if you have the time!)

I recommend this books for pastors and those interested in the OT.

Grade: A

[Chelsi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Incredibly dense and I actually found his vocabulary a bit pretentious. However, I learned a lot even when I got lost or skimmed a bit. Ultimately a great message about the relationship between Israel, humans, and the world with YHWH.

[Mark Traphagen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brueggemann forces us to unblinkingly confront the God actually presented in the Old Testament, not the God we wish was there via the colored glasses of our Western rationalistic theology. He shows us that the Israelite conception of YHWH was as a god known only in relationship, an "unsettling" god, who while in some way "sovereign," could also be capricious, irrationally angry or generous, and who could be changed by relationship with covenantal partners, even as they were indeed changed by their relationship to YHWH.

Brueggemann explores this relationship through each of YHWH's four main "partners": Israel, the human person, nations, and creation. In a final chapter, he issues the challenge that only an embracing of this unsettling God of abundance, suffering, and hope can provide a counter to the Enlightenment's assumptions of scarcity, denial of brokenness, and ultimately despair. Israel in the Old Testament never concerned itself with an apologetical need to try to prove that YHWH exists, nor did they try to arrive at some kind of exhaustive definition of YHWH (both high concerns in Western Christian theology). Rather for them YHWH is the god who fits with "the way things are" in their experience of abundance / the Pit / restoration. So Brueggemann does not bother with such apologetics. Rather his interest is in how this very Jewish way of looking at existence might provide a pattern of counter-cultural living for those of us disillusioned with what our Enlightenment-Western culture has come to.

[Carl]

I'm really looking forward to finally reading something by Breuggemann again-- he seems to be a quality scholar, at the same time that he is passionate about his subject. While he and NT Wright seem to disagree on some particular points at least, I find them to be very complementary-- I think my own theological thought (not that I'm ever very systematic about it-- but then again, I don't think either of them would be considered a systematic theologian) these days is largely the product of the bits and pieces I've gotten from these two scholars. Having gone to a Christian high school and grown up in a church and having done confirmation, I've got the basics of systematic theology-- I definitely prefer Wright and Breuggemann, though, or anything that is more about encountering a text and trying to deal with it on its own terms, rather than trying to build a final, perfect box that everything will fit in. Haha, well, not to turn this into an all out criticism of systematic theology-- fans of Wright and Breuggemann may be tempted to do so, but we all build boxes as part of our engagement with the world. It's more a matter of not elevating the boxes to something foundational.

OK, anyway, looking forward to this book. :)

[M Christopher · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the great challenges to doing Biblical Theology in our day is scraping the text clear of the barnacles of philosophy which have become attached to it. It is easy for current theologians to forget that neither the Old Testament nor the New were written from a Hellenistic world-view, even though Greek was the language used in writing the latter and the Greek translation of the former was the form known directly or in further translation until comparatively recently.

One of the many contributions of Walter Brueggemann's "An Unsettling God" is that he follows in the footsteps of the great Abraham Joshua Heschel in separating the God of Abraham from the God of the Philosophers. The God of the Old Testament, both of these fine scholars aver, is not an "unmoved mover," remote and emotionless, but rather a God who engages with God's people and God's creation, touched by pain and responsive to cries. Brueggemann here follows this line of thought, showing how Israel, humankind in general, the nations, and creation itself all act in partnership with God, forging relationships of need (on the side of creation) and loyalty (on the side of God) to work together in bringing creation as a whole to its fullest realization.

[Matt Braymiller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Walter Brueggemann is one of a handful of Biblical scholars that I deeply admire. This book is a revision of several chapters of his earlier work: Theology of the Old Testament. Brueggemann presents Yahweh as a God who is unsettling because he is personally involved in partnership with Israel, the nations at large and creation. He is a God who both makes demands, and can be impinged upon by those with whom he is in relationship.. Relationship involves risk, and God undertakes the risk to involve himself deeply in the lives of his people. I found this to be an engaging study and recommend it to any who desires to study the relational character of God.

[Dr. Dena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent and needed Tanakh exposition of God (YHWH) as in relation with Israel, persons, the nations, and creation. Synonymous themes for create, call, rebels, exile, prayer, restoration apply to these relationships and Israel's told experience. Finally a text that addresses tension of a good God in a broken world without platitudes, but by recognizing we don't exist in a vacuum.

[Milton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Can't wait to read this one by Brueggemann. After scrolling his list of books, I've read a lot of his over the years. His writings always gives a message for today along with some great sermon material.

[Ron · Rating 5 out of 5]

A marvelous look at the heart of Judeo-Christian relationship with God. Opens for anyone a new way of thinking and approaching God and what one's stance in the world can be when practicing that relationship

[Kent · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not sure yet. Still thinking about God being changed by dialogue with his relational partners.

I am fascinated by Breuggemann's primary thesis. Before I make comments, I think I will re-read this work for a deeper understanding of his thoughts.