Walking in the Prophetic Tradition: Models of Speaking Truth and Acting in Love for Everyday People

by Jason A Bembry, Miriam Perkins (Foreword)

Contrary to popular belief, the biblical prophets do far more than predict the future. They speak truth to power, they tell the truth about the uncomfortable past, they indict empty religiosity, they advocate for poor people and working people while seeking justice—all at tremendous risk to themselves. In Walking in the Prophetic Tradition Jason Bembry argues that the prophets have too often been domesticated by cultural impulses that reduce the prophetic message to prediction about Jesus or the end times. This book highlights themes addressed by the Old Testament prophets and connects each theme to modern people who exemplify passion for those same ideals. In this sense the prophetic tradition comes to life in the lived testimony of Martin Luther King Jr., Dorothy Day, Myles Horton, César Chávez, and Cornel West—moderns who stand courageously in this tradition. This book is a guide for all who seek a fuller understanding of the Old Testament prophets and who want to continue their work in the present.

Genres: Theology

166 pages, Paperback

Published October 31, 2018

Reviews

[Corey Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A read for my course on Isaiah this summer, but a great read for those curious about the biblical tradition of prophetic words spoken to the community of God.

Bembry’s survey of the history of the prophetic tradition is a great starting point for those who are aware of the need for justice and mercy from the hands of the church, but might not know where to start. He proposes eight principles for the prophetic tradition that are clear and vital to reclaiming the voices of the prophets in our own modern age. He reminds us of the necessity of letting the prophets speak for themselves rather than reading into their words doomsday narratives, or timelines for Christ return.

Alongside of referring to the biblical text, Bembry also recounts stories of those who are in our own time keeping the spirit of the prophetic tradition alive for the sake of those who need the justice of God to act on their behalf. Dorothy Day, Ceaser Chavez. Martin Luther Ling Jr. and more - we would do good to remember the histories accounted in these pages as the community of God.

[Cody Spencer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liked the book a lot, but found some parts a bit repetitive. I loved the connections with modern activists, especially a few that weren’t known to me prior (Horton, Campbell). A very accessible read with an inspiring message.

[Kolby Pinkston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerful examples and depictions of what walking in the prophetic tradition looks like in the modern day.