Reality, Grief, Hope:Three urgent prophetic tasks

Walter Brueggemann is one of the most highly regarded Old Testament scholars of our time; talk-show host Krista Tippett has even called him a kind of theological rock star. Brueggemann identifies a characteristic ideology of exceptionalism chosenness, entitlement, privilege which must be countered by prophetic realism and truth-telling. Denial must give way to honest grief. And, finally, widespread despair must be overcome by a buoyant hope. This sequence of ideology-realism, denial-grief, and despair-hope corresponds to Brueggemanns unpacking of the books of Jeremiah, Lamentations, and Isaiah. Thoughtful readers will find provocative fare aplenty in Brueggemanns Reality, Grief, Hope.