Ezekiel: Vision in the Dust

by Daniel Berrigan

The biblical prophets - those clasic distrubers of the false peace - continue to hold reliogn and history accountable to the word of God. In his latest work, poet and peacemaker Daniel Berrigan explores the book of Ezekiel, one of the most troubling works of scripture. Combining his own poetic paraphrase of Ezekiel's strange oracles with insightful reflections on a society in chaos, Berrigan makes the prohet speak to us anew - and excellent book on study of the Bible

135 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1997

About the author

Daniel Joseph Berrigan (May 9, 1921 – April 30, 2016) was an American Jesuit priest, college professor, anti-war activist, Christian pacifist, playwright, poet, and author.

Reviews

[Shannon T.L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

not my favorite of berrigan's books but still some interesting and insightful things.

[Mick Maurer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ezekiel: Vision in the Dust’ (1997) is the 2nd Biblical Commentary by Fr Daniel Berrigan, SJ I have now read. The first being ‘Daniel: Under the Siege of the Divine”. Daniel Berrigan. SJ is the author of more than 50 books, including ‘Isaiah’ & ‘To Dwell in Peace’. He lived in NYC. Artist & activist Tom Lewis-Borbely, founding member of Artists Against War & the Interfaith Peace Mission in Baltimore, Maryland is, along with Fr. Berrigan, a member of the Catonsville Nine. He currently lives and works in Worchester, Massachusetts. Other collaborative works by Daniel Berrigan & Tom Lewis-Borbely are: ‘Trial Poems’, ‘Vietnamese Letter’, & ‘The Nightmare of God’. A portion of Tom’s cremated remains is buried at the Conscientious Objectors cemetery on the grounds of the Pacifist Memorial in Sherborn, MA..
The biblical prophets - those classic disturbers of the false peace — continue to hold religion & history accountable to the word of God. In his latest work, poet & peacemaker Daniel Berrigan *explores the Book of Ezekiel, one of the most troubling works of scripture. Combining his own poetic paraphrase of Ezekiel's strange oracles with insightful reflections on a society in chaos, Berrigan makes the prophet speak to us anew.
In Ezekiel's apocalyptic visions of death & his prophecies of new life, Berrigan finds timely warnings & consolations for our own time. The art of Tom Lewis-Borbely forms a bizarre accompaniment to the text, underscoring the interwoven images of nightmare & dream, destruction & hope.
As I will note in another book Ezekiel has secondary trauma, which may explain why his dreams are so strange. The siege of Jerusalem, the destruction of the city & the Temple, the deportations, & executions by the Babylonian armies, & the exile one would develop symptoms after such events. The behavior of Ezekiel suggest that many of Ezekiel’s ‘bizarre’ actions can be seen as modeling the trauma of the fall of Jerusalem. Ezekiel 5:1-17 he acts out the trifold punishment of Jerusalem: a third burnt in the city, a third dying by the sword, & a third exiled. Slaughtering them without mercy.

[Carole · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has observations, poems, rants and responses to Ezekiel 's prophecies. Some are better than others. Many are sublime.
The parts where the author likens his contemporary politicians to the unholy leaders of Israel in Ezekiel 's time are sublime.