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Interrupting Silence: God's Command to Speak Out
Silence is a complex matter. It can refer to awe before unutterable holiness, but it can also refer to the coercion where some voices are silenced in the interest of control by the dominant voices. It is the latter silence that Walter Brueggemann explores, urging us to speak up in situations of injustice.Interrupting Silence illustrates that the Bible is filled with stories where marginalized people break repressive silence and speak against it. Examining how maintaining silence allows the powerful to keep control, Brueggemann motivates readers to consider situations in their lives where they need to either interrupt silence or be part of the problem, convincing us that God is active and wanting us to act for justice.
128 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 9, 2018
81 people are currently reading
227 people want to read
About the author
Walter Brueggemann
316 books572 followersWalter Brueggemann was an American Christian scholar and theologian who is widely considered an influential Old Testament scholar. His work often focused on the Hebrew prophetic tradition and the sociopolitical imagination of the Church. He argued that the Church must provide a counter-narrative to the dominant forces of consumerism, militarism, and nationalism.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
February 21, 2019
Brueggemann continues to impress. His capacity, as a cishet white male, to illuminate the struggles of all people is nearly unmatched among scholars like him. This book does not settle for pointing out pericopes of silence interrupted in Scripture-- just bland evidence to support a useless thesis for yet another book, as so many of Brueggemann's contemporaries do and call scholarly work-- but lifts up canonical instances that are directly applicable to the silence that needs interrupting in our own day. Women, people of color, LGBT+ folk, even disparate denominations struggling with the same silencing power-- all is addressed through the lens of God's witness throughout Scripture that, just like the first shall be last, so too silencers shall be silenced and the silent given the greatest voice. This is not an exegetical book. This is a book on justice. And I loved it. 5 stars.
December 16, 2022
Brueggemann's latest has plenty of good ideas, but it feels inessential. It's a short read, and it feels very casual. These are ideas Brueggemann knows inside and out by now, so while he's clear and concise, it's a little rote, even if his points – primarily about the value of speaking out and creating a space to speak – are valuable, particularly in our current moment.
I'm suspect of a few of his readings. While it can be useful to make a character stand in for Rome/oppressive powers, sometimes that's a stretch of the biblical story. His reading of the story of the Gentile woman in Mark 7 misunderstands (misrepresents?) Jesus's activity in it. That she “reeducated” Jesus is an unnecessary stretch to make politicized point. That, at least as I read the chapter in Mark, he has the setting wrong makes it less convincing.
Even so, much of the book is worth grappling with (which is why it should be expanded, instead of feeling like an appendix to his more consequential works). The connections drawn between silence, privilege, and the status quo make for important conversation starters. There are hints of the other side, of the importance of “honest talk” being “received in faithful seriousness.”
Fans of his work might enjoy it, but probably won't find as much new ground as they'd hope; newcomers will find it to be a quick and accessible read. It might make sense as a part of a group study/conversation rather than as a pivotal work in itself.
[Based on a NetGalley copy.]
I'm suspect of a few of his readings. While it can be useful to make a character stand in for Rome/oppressive powers, sometimes that's a stretch of the biblical story. His reading of the story of the Gentile woman in Mark 7 misunderstands (misrepresents?) Jesus's activity in it. That she “reeducated” Jesus is an unnecessary stretch to make politicized point. That, at least as I read the chapter in Mark, he has the setting wrong makes it less convincing.
Even so, much of the book is worth grappling with (which is why it should be expanded, instead of feeling like an appendix to his more consequential works). The connections drawn between silence, privilege, and the status quo make for important conversation starters. There are hints of the other side, of the importance of “honest talk” being “received in faithful seriousness.”
Fans of his work might enjoy it, but probably won't find as much new ground as they'd hope; newcomers will find it to be a quick and accessible read. It might make sense as a part of a group study/conversation rather than as a pivotal work in itself.
[Based on a NetGalley copy.]
January 21, 2025
I would give this 10 stars if I could. Or a billion.
June 22, 2019
Perfect for small group studies. The church must interrupt the silence and speak out on behalf of those who are not being heard. Brueggemann’s theological muscles are here used to speak to laymen, challenging us to become not just people who read the Bible, but people who embody Jesus.
April 7, 2018
WOW! My first time reading Walter Brueggemann, and extra special to share the experience with the wise, beautiful women in my small group (one of whom studied with Brueggemann in seminary). This is a small book, but it's full of powerful and timely topics. Highly recommend as a group read because you will need to discuss it!
April 18, 2018
A work that encapsulates both the compelling and frustrating natures of Brueggemann and his work.
Over the first seven chapters Brueggemann incisively explores narratives in the Old and New Testament as they relate to breaking silence. He considers the cry of the Israelites regarding oppression by Pharaoh; Amos' unwillingness to be silenced by the priest in Bethel; David's meditation on how an unwillingness to cry out to God for forgiveness and to keep silent hurts and kills; the Syro-phoenician woman's challenge to Jesus for healing; Jesus casting out the demon who made a boy mute; and Bartimaeus being quieted by the crowd but proving unwilling to be silent. In these chapters Brueggemann is often at his best, providing compelling exegesis and commentary, showing how God brings forth justice for the dispossessed and marginalized, although at times, as is often the case, he's stretching things a bit.
And then we get to the last chapter, and ostensibly the point of the book: associating all of these earlier episodes about silencing as oppression and applying it to women preachers in light of 1 Corinthians 14:34-35, and how such is a similar type of silencing.
And so the book really becomes a means by which a liberal progressive Christian attempts to show Biblical continuity in making such a claim. In so doing the rest of the book loses a bit of luster, and questions arise about the selective choice of silence. Silence is not merely an oppressive tool; Habakkuk summons all to be silent before God in His holy temple (Habakkuk 2:20), and there is silence in heaven when the seventh seal is opened (Revelation 8:1).
The argumentation in the final chapter often begs the question. As is consistent with the theme, Brueggemann would have us read all of the NT in light of Galatians 3:28, never mind that Paul shows no inclination elsewhere to flatten or deconstruct the roles and positions mentioned in the verse. Ephesians and Colossians are of course right out as not truly Pauline; he has to except 1 Corinthians from his discussion of how Paul views women, and whenever some evidence has to be excluded, you have to wonder why.
Even if you're tempted to agree with his reasoning, you can hopefully see why there remain strong arguments against it. The book would have been quite compelling without the final chapter; then again, without the final chapter, it would likely not have been written. In the end, therefore, a bit disappointing.
**--galley received as part of early review program
Over the first seven chapters Brueggemann incisively explores narratives in the Old and New Testament as they relate to breaking silence. He considers the cry of the Israelites regarding oppression by Pharaoh; Amos' unwillingness to be silenced by the priest in Bethel; David's meditation on how an unwillingness to cry out to God for forgiveness and to keep silent hurts and kills; the Syro-phoenician woman's challenge to Jesus for healing; Jesus casting out the demon who made a boy mute; and Bartimaeus being quieted by the crowd but proving unwilling to be silent. In these chapters Brueggemann is often at his best, providing compelling exegesis and commentary, showing how God brings forth justice for the dispossessed and marginalized, although at times, as is often the case, he's stretching things a bit.
And then we get to the last chapter, and ostensibly the point of the book: associating all of these earlier episodes about silencing as oppression and applying it to women preachers in light of 1 Corinthians 14:34-35, and how such is a similar type of silencing.
And so the book really becomes a means by which a liberal progressive Christian attempts to show Biblical continuity in making such a claim. In so doing the rest of the book loses a bit of luster, and questions arise about the selective choice of silence. Silence is not merely an oppressive tool; Habakkuk summons all to be silent before God in His holy temple (Habakkuk 2:20), and there is silence in heaven when the seventh seal is opened (Revelation 8:1).
The argumentation in the final chapter often begs the question. As is consistent with the theme, Brueggemann would have us read all of the NT in light of Galatians 3:28, never mind that Paul shows no inclination elsewhere to flatten or deconstruct the roles and positions mentioned in the verse. Ephesians and Colossians are of course right out as not truly Pauline; he has to except 1 Corinthians from his discussion of how Paul views women, and whenever some evidence has to be excluded, you have to wonder why.
Even if you're tempted to agree with his reasoning, you can hopefully see why there remain strong arguments against it. The book would have been quite compelling without the final chapter; then again, without the final chapter, it would likely not have been written. In the end, therefore, a bit disappointing.
**--galley received as part of early review program
April 7, 2019
Walter Brueggemann, Professor Emeritus of Old Testament at Columbia Theological Seminary, & an ordained United Church of Christ minister, gives us a refreshing, provocative & down-to-earth reflection on the dynamics of silencing & speaking out to end silencing. Silencers throughout human history are those who, whether in religion, politics or society in general, coerce economic production -- by the poor, the less fortunate, the weak. They act out of fearful greed, imposing stringent demands on a vulnerable labor force, and they make their claims to be absolute to perpetuity. Anyone who dares to speak up, disagree or confront such policies is vehemently opposed, put back again in their "place", shunned, discredited, attacked, sometimes killed.
Using texts from both the Hebrew & Christian Scriptures, Brueggemann gives examples & discusses them in light of the above ideas. I found Chapter 4, "Jesus Rudely Interrupted", from the Gospel of Mark 7:28, to be particularly enlightening.
He concludes by suggesting that "three emergents" in society -- Re-imagining, More Light & Still Speaking -- as "evidence that the old silences are being broken...The old pattern of silencing served old-time religion, and old-time religion is in the service of old-time politics of domination and old-time economics of privilege." He suggests that strict constructionism and originalism -- whether used to interpret the Constitution or Scripture -- can only be overcome by breaking the silence through re-imagining, shedding more light on issues, and speaking out. He cautions that this is no easy task & there are no assurances. "We have seen in our own day in so many liberation struggles that the first cry for mercy does not succeed. The silencers are powerful and determined. Among us the silencers are the powerful, who have a stake in the status quo and do not mind some poverty-stricken disability, and those who collude with the powerful, often unwittingly. The work of silencing...is variously by slogan, by intimidation, by deception, or by restrictive legislation. Emancipation does not succeed most often in a one-shot effort."
Using texts from both the Hebrew & Christian Scriptures, Brueggemann gives examples & discusses them in light of the above ideas. I found Chapter 4, "Jesus Rudely Interrupted", from the Gospel of Mark 7:28, to be particularly enlightening.
He concludes by suggesting that "three emergents" in society -- Re-imagining, More Light & Still Speaking -- as "evidence that the old silences are being broken...The old pattern of silencing served old-time religion, and old-time religion is in the service of old-time politics of domination and old-time economics of privilege." He suggests that strict constructionism and originalism -- whether used to interpret the Constitution or Scripture -- can only be overcome by breaking the silence through re-imagining, shedding more light on issues, and speaking out. He cautions that this is no easy task & there are no assurances. "We have seen in our own day in so many liberation struggles that the first cry for mercy does not succeed. The silencers are powerful and determined. Among us the silencers are the powerful, who have a stake in the status quo and do not mind some poverty-stricken disability, and those who collude with the powerful, often unwittingly. The work of silencing...is variously by slogan, by intimidation, by deception, or by restrictive legislation. Emancipation does not succeed most often in a one-shot effort."
January 14, 2021
The first sentence of Brueggemann's introduction states "Silence is a complex matter." He makes clear his discussion will focus on the controlling silence placed on the marginalized by those who uphold the status quo.
Another reviewer lists Bible stories this book uses to illustrate silence breaking. For Brueggemann silence breaking is crying out to God, and to Jesus Christ.
The author shows the power of speech TO God and the God of the Bible who HEARS the cries of His people, and delivers them.
More than a call to speak out to the culture on behalf of the oppressed and marginalized, this book shows how the heart of God responds to our pleas, calls, prayers, fastings and tears for them (and ourselves).
There is discussion of the prophetic voice to those in power. In Chapter 2 we see how the prophets refused to be silenced when they spoke for justice or to declare the judgment of God, and suffered torture banishment and death.
But the major key of this book is the boldness and faith with which we should take up these matters before the God who answers prayer and does, what for us, is impossible.
This author uses a biblically informed imagination, presenting beautifully rendered biblical parables and jewel-like prose on prayer. Chapter 5 shimmers.
But Chapter 8, "The Church as a Silencing Institution" needs more development. I would have written it more carefully. I believe we must stop arranging American racialized slavery, women's agency and LGBTQ together under the headings of "marginalized"or "silenced" without distinguishig crucial biblical differences, every time.
Another reviewer lists Bible stories this book uses to illustrate silence breaking. For Brueggemann silence breaking is crying out to God, and to Jesus Christ.
The author shows the power of speech TO God and the God of the Bible who HEARS the cries of His people, and delivers them.
More than a call to speak out to the culture on behalf of the oppressed and marginalized, this book shows how the heart of God responds to our pleas, calls, prayers, fastings and tears for them (and ourselves).
There is discussion of the prophetic voice to those in power. In Chapter 2 we see how the prophets refused to be silenced when they spoke for justice or to declare the judgment of God, and suffered torture banishment and death.
But the major key of this book is the boldness and faith with which we should take up these matters before the God who answers prayer and does, what for us, is impossible.
This author uses a biblically informed imagination, presenting beautifully rendered biblical parables and jewel-like prose on prayer. Chapter 5 shimmers.
But Chapter 8, "The Church as a Silencing Institution" needs more development. I would have written it more carefully. I believe we must stop arranging American racialized slavery, women's agency and LGBTQ together under the headings of "marginalized"or "silenced" without distinguishig crucial biblical differences, every time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 25, 2018
Brief, timely and interesting book on 8 biblical passages. Surprisingly, for Brueggemann, not all of them are from the Hebrew Testament! It makes good reading for preachers and laypeople. But it advertises itself as "A Bible Study for Adults." I read it precisely with that possibility in mind, and decided it wouldn't work, because Brueggemann's writing style is not sufficiently accessible. A good editor would have improved the sentence structures and toned down the vocabulary a bit. Others might think it would work, but it depends on your group.
July 3, 2018
Timely and short read on a topic that should be more thoroughly discussed and acknowledged in the faith space. It provides some good food for thought and nicely forms the biblical basis for some ideas I have been toying with. The many old and new testament examples were super helpful and I would definitely build on some of this work as a reference while speaking on topics related to #MeToo, Immigration and fighting for the defense of black lives as Christians.
July 18, 2018
This study has been such a helpful and thought provoking additive to sermon prep for me the last few months. I've been using the texts and studies to springboard my sermon study. The sermons and reflections have launched many great conversations around our congregation about what it means to speak up and bear witness to God at work in our lives, as well as call out injustice and name the privileged silencers around us. A great good for study, with a group or alone.
August 19, 2018
This is one of the most prophetic, inspiring and damning books of our time. Brueggemann revisits the passage of the widow who demands justice and reveals the necessity of persistent voicing to bring about restoration and equity. Faith is a matter of persisting hope and silence breaking in the midst of silencers. The Church has played its own silencing role as an organization and institution, and this power needs to be broken as well.
February 28, 2018
Bruggemann traces the idea of God's people being "silence-breakers" throughout the Hebrew Scriptures (Torah, Psalms, and Prophets) and in the life of Jesus. This feels particularly relevant in light of the recent US election as well as other social movements, such as the #MeToo campaign. Again, I would recommend this as a small group book for discussion or for an adult education forum.
October 9, 2021
This is not academic Bruggeman, though it is of course informed by his academic work. It is a thoughtful, accessible, and incredibly charity-filled work on the call to interrupt silence as an active form of resistance to embedded, systemic power structures that abuse and traumatize the other, and the believer’s ethical and spiritual obligation as followers of Christ’s own model to act.
May 11, 2022
A timely reminder about the power of speaking up and speaking out. The chapter formatting was ideal for small group study. The Author did a good job tying the historic texts to current situations. The last chapter wasn’t quite as biblically grounded as those that came before it but, overall, this was an accessible book.
4/5 stars.
4/5 stars.
June 6, 2018
The book shows numerous examples from the Old and New Testaments where people spoke up against injustice, breaking the silence that allowed it. We are challenged to speak up for justice. If we don't, we are allowing the powerful to remain in control and unjust situations to remain the norm.
January 30, 2019
With his usual clarity, Brueggemann tackles silence and its role in social justice. Using his typical socio-rhetorical method, he traverses both Old and New Testament passages to teach about silence and why there are times to speak up!
May 25, 2023
Brueggemann on silence as a tool of power and control. Framed as a Bible study, this book is a handful of short chapters on Biblical examples of silence as oppression and breaking silence as resistance. Helpful for church communities learning to find their voice.
March 7, 2024
Powerful reflection on what it means to take initiative on speaking out and how God operates in interrupting the silence. We have a role to play in our own deliverance and in the reimagining of culture.
February 13, 2019
This is a good book for group as well as individual (as I used it) study. Brueggemann always helps us break out of old patterns so we can consider the world anew.
February 5, 2020
Good look/discussion about how silence and speaking out is used throughout the Bible to accomplish justice.
May 9, 2020
Loved this book so much .. a breath of fresh air to counter the onslaught of institutionalised racism and gendered discrimination in institutions. Thankful to have read it.
April 3, 2023
For Lenten study.
December 30, 2020
This bible study was a helpful way to explore scripture at an angle at which I am not accustomed. Bruggemann asks thought provoking questions with which many white men, like me, need to grapple.
September 4, 2023
I found the earliest chapters of this book theologically stimulating. They helped me to see, for example, how restorative the cries of the Hebrews were under the brutal regime of Pharaoh. However, his final chapter on breaking the silence of women in the church was simply unsatisfying. I believe that I would’ve enjoyed this chapter far more if he actually wrestled with the hard texts, rather than to simply make progressive statements such as “The old pattern of silencing served old-time religion, and old-time religion is in the service of old-time politics of domination and old-time economics of privilege.” 3.5 stars
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 1, 2018
I really liked the format of this Bible-study book. Instead of studying one book in the Bible, Brueggemann finds scattered examples in Scripture where people have spoken out. Each of eight chapters has a theme and Scripture passages to read and discuss. Several questions are posted at the end of the chapter. Thought provoking and easy to discuss. The title suggests that God commands speaking out and perhaps we should be doing that right now.
April 12, 2019
There is a time for silence but, there is also a time to speak. This short book will give you food for thought about places and times you should speak up rather than remaining silent.
The author tends to look through the lens of modern culture at the scripture rather than looking at our culture through the scriptures.
The author tends to look through the lens of modern culture at the scripture rather than looking at our culture through the scriptures.
June 13, 2018
Thought provoking.
Well researched and written. Brings new understanding to light. Some parts difficult. Recommend as a good read for thoughtful Christians.
Well researched and written. Brings new understanding to light. Some parts difficult. Recommend as a good read for thoughtful Christians.
April 10, 2018
Interrupting Silence: God's Command to Speak Out by Walter Brueggemann is the author's latest book about how God calls us to speak out. In this book, there are parts so simply yet powerfully written that they require time to process and extract the meaning. That is part of what I love about the author's work. He goes through Scripture and modern day events to show how God wants us to speak up. In this book, Brueggemann shows himself to be more of a liberal theologian. Overall, there are some great parts to extract from this book. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher. These opinions are entirely my own.
May 20, 2018
Brueggeman's work is always intriguing for me. His way with words and eloquent but simple way of communicating makes his deep theological premises easy to read and follow. Some of the things I loved about this book were:
1. The fact that each chapter could be read as an individual study, but they were also interconnected. I felt like I could put the book down & come back to it anytime and not feel confused or behind.
2. The reflection questions at the end of each chapter were thought-provoking and relevant.
3. His connections from the biblical narrative to our modern-day world were seamless and logical. I appreciated the way he made the text come alive in its original context, and then applied it today!
4. His chapter on keeping women silent in the church - EXCELLENT! Such great material here.
With all that being said, I did feel like I was expecting a little bit "more" from this book - I'm not exactly sure what that 'more' was. Perhaps some concluding thoughts to tie it all together, or a little more of Brueggeman's personal commentary. That being said, it was still a helpful and engaging read!
1. The fact that each chapter could be read as an individual study, but they were also interconnected. I felt like I could put the book down & come back to it anytime and not feel confused or behind.
2. The reflection questions at the end of each chapter were thought-provoking and relevant.
3. His connections from the biblical narrative to our modern-day world were seamless and logical. I appreciated the way he made the text come alive in its original context, and then applied it today!
4. His chapter on keeping women silent in the church - EXCELLENT! Such great material here.
With all that being said, I did feel like I was expecting a little bit "more" from this book - I'm not exactly sure what that 'more' was. Perhaps some concluding thoughts to tie it all together, or a little more of Brueggeman's personal commentary. That being said, it was still a helpful and engaging read!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews