In 1978, Old Testament scholar Walter Brueggemann published his classic work on the biblical prophets, The Prophetic Imagination. Since then, the book has inspired inspired hundreds of scholars, pastors, and activists to rethink what it means to be a prophetic in their own contexts, writes Kenyatta Gilbert in the January 2018 issue of Sojourners. Here's how five Christian leaders have been influenced by Brueggemann's classic book. —The Editors
Kwok Pui-lan
author, Postcolonial Imagination and Feminist Theology
"Brueggemann's critique of royal consciousness and structures opened the door for us to engage in post-colonial critique of the Bible and imperialist ideology in religion. Rarely would you find a classic that speaks so poignantly to today's political situation as it was published 40 years ago. Now more than ever, we cannot succumb to despair, but learn from the hopefulness in the book."
Will Willimon
professor of the practice of Christian ministry, Duke Divinity School
"Languishing in a forlorn inner city parish, in despair at the lack of movement, God gave me Walt's book. I read it cover to cover at one sitting. When I finished, I was born agian. Walt showed me that what my church needed was not my carping criticism, but God's gift of prophetic imagination. This book gave me the guts to work with God in raising the dead through nothing but words. Compromised, too-eager-to please me go to be Jeremiah."
Otis Moss III
senior pastor, Trinity United Church of Christ, Chicago
"The Prophetic Imagination was an intellectual catalyst for designing our community initaitive to connect eco-justice, mass incarceration, and a just economy with black liberation theology. We shared a vision of divine/prophetic imagination with our village to 'equip the saints' with an alternative vocabulary and revolutionary imagination of what a community is and can bcome in a city possessed by a royal consciousness."
Mark Van Seenwyk
executive director, Center for Prophetic Imagination
"The Prophetic Imagination not only helped teach me about the ancient vocation of prophet, but helped me see the importance of the prophetic vocation today. It challenged me to resist the numbness of empire, enter into the deep pain of our world, and speak and act in ways that cultivate life."
D.L. Mayfield
author, Assimilate or Go Home
"The Prophetic Imagination is a book that both wounded and healed me at the same time. I lamented how much of my own theology had been shaped by dominant/empire themes, and I became hungry for good news that was prophetic and hopeful--and from the margins of society."
Will Willimon, professor of the practice of Christian ministry at Duke University Divinity School is author of Who Lynched Willie Earle? Preaching to Confront Racism (February 2017, Abingdon Press), from which this is adapted with permission.
Mark Van Steenwyk is the Executive Director of the Center for Prophetic Imagination and the founder, along with his wife Amy, of the Mennonite Worker in Minneapolis.
D.L. Mayfield is a neighbor and writer in Portland, Ore. Their book, The Myth of the American Dream: Reflections on Affluence, Autonomy, Safety, and Power was released in May 2020.
Got something to say about what you're reading? We value your feedback!