Brueggemann (On Being)

“In those days the word of the LORD was rare; prophecy was not widespread” (1 Samuel 3:1b, TANAKH translation)

In a recently released interview (12/22/2011) by Krista Tippett (“On Being,” by APM), Walter Brueggemann (Biblical scholar and well-known author) discussed the poetry and imagination of the Old Testament prophets. His interview was thoughtful, insightful and compelling, but this is what I have come to expect of him nearly every time I have read one of his books or listened to him discuss a wide array of topics. Brueggemann’s wisdom is not limited to the Old Testament. (For more information on his interview with Krista Tippett, please follow the link: <here>) One of the most profound and striking sections of his interview came when questioned about the preacher’s ability to prophetically speak to a frenzied and hurting world; a world that is so accustomed to the “idealogy of consumer capitalism”; especially when the preacher is part of that world and shares the language and the culture of those whom are listening for the prophetic word to be spoken. Brueggemann responded:

“…a prophetic preacher always has to try to find another way to say it (the prophetic message). I’ve recently been thinking more and more that it’s so astonishing that the Old Testament prophets hardly ever discuss an issue. They don’t discuss abortion, Panama Canal or anything like that. And I think what they’re doing is they’re going underneath the issues that preoccupy people to the more foundational assumptions that can only be got at in elusive language. Very much the institutional church has been preoccupied with issues…” (from the transcript of the 12/22/11 On Being show, accessed 2/24/12)

Brueggemann’s insight above is particularly in response to prophetic voices that are addressing “disruptive” events in our lives, in our world. The challenge we all face is the challenge of being open to what is going on in our world; what new thing is being done before our eyes…and our ability to step outside of ourselves to hear it and proclaim the truth of it, no matter the consequences to our personal agendas. This was the challenge of the first prophecy given to Samuel as a young boy. As he served under the aging prophet Eli (before the word of the LORD had been revealed to Samuel), we are told “the word of the LORD was rare; prophecy was not widespread.” But prophecy was exactly what the LORD intended for Samuel. “The LORD said to Samuel: ‘I am going to do in Israel such a thing that both ears of anyone who hears about it will tingle.” (1 Sam 3:11) The word of the LORD is rare in our day as well; we are focused on our agendas and our issues, and the voice that is the loudest, the most frequent or perhaps the most in-tune with our desires has often won the day. Brueggemann’s insight turns this thinking upside-down…and we are sorely in need of some upside-down time for prophecies. The LORD is waiting for us to drop our “issues” and pick-up the foundational issues of faith and Christian life, and anyone with ears to hear will certainly tingle when the word of the LORD is proclaimed.

So, where are the prophets and their prophetic voices? Tippett and Brueggemann close out this section of the interview with this exchange: [Tippett] “And I guess maybe it’s in the nature of this that you don’t recognize a prophet in their lifetime.” [Brueggemann] “I think that’s right. It’s kind of in retrospect. But I think if the prophets of the Old Testament really were uncredentialed people without pedigrees, then we ought not to expect people to arise primarily in the institutional church.” [Tippett] “Right, or even maybe famous people.” [Brueggemann] “That’s correct, yeah. I think there are a lot of people who are not broadly famous who, in their own local circumstance, do transformative things.” (from the transcript of the 12/22/11 On Being show, accessed 2/24/12)

The distinct and powerful message of the prophetic voices of our time are still out in the world. They may not be on the evening news, written about in the local or national papers, or highlighted in network news shows. The prophetic voices of the LORD do not seek high approval ratings, coveted financial support from advertisers, or the excitement of a large and adoring crowd. The prophetic voices that proclaim the disruptive and transformative events of our world may be down the street or around the corner – listen and be open to the LORD; and those with ears to hear and eyes to see will be amazed with all that is done in your sight!