The Word Militant

So Walter Brueggemann begins this bold set of reflections on the preaching task, a task at once foolish and dangerous in a world where the rulers of this age keep a close eye on any proclamation that may disturb present arrangements. His tone in turn is passionate, intimate, critical, and wise. Brueggemann's perspective on preaching is always shaped first and foremost by the militant word of Scripture, especially as spoken through the prophets. Brueggemann understands the biblical texts to redescribe the world as God's world. It follows that when preaching is truly biblical, it will be subversive preaching. Brueggemann is unsparing in his critique of the sort of preaching that is but an echo of prevailing culture, content to live within the limits of the status quo. Yet he is also endlessly hopeful that the church may remain a place- perhaps the last place in town -where a different understanding of reality can still find a voice. Book jacket.