Like Fire in the Bones: Listening for the Prophetic Word in Jeremiah

by Walter Brueggemann

"No scholar of this generation has had a greater fire in his bones for communicating the word of God than Walter Brueggemann. These essays on Jeremiah exemplify his insistence that criticism should lead to interpretation, and remind us again why prophets like Jeremiah still matter in the 21st century." - John J. Collins, Holmes Professor of Old Testament, Yale "Like Fire in the Bones is a gift to the churches and to anyone interested in prophetic literature with its harsh rhetoric, blazing visions, and demanding yet merciful God. Jeremiah may have had fire in his bones, but Brueggemann sets fires with his pen. He shows how Jeremiah speaks into the abyss of historical catastrophe with speech that matches experience. He underlines the disputatious political character of theological speech. He reiterates Jeremiah's call to covenant loyalty even in the face of religious and government forces that suppress and silence words of life. He illuminates Jeremiah's bare-boned hope for a world in the thrall of empire and social amnesia. If ever there was need for imaginative rereading of Jeremiah and of the texts of common life, it is now. At this, Brueggemann is a master." - Kathleen M. O'Connor, William Marcellus McPheeters Professor of Old Testament, Columbia Theological Seminary "Jeremiah, the longest book in the Bible, is neglected much too often by preacher and teacher alike. That neglect is due, in significant part, to the prophet's often-sharp words that strike too close to home, in his own generation and in ours. It is telling that the prophet Jeremiah, the focus of these essays that span much of Walter Brueggemann's prophetic ministry, has been in his head and heart for such a long time. Again and again, Brueggemann's own words have mirrored Jeremiah to us, and the times in which we presently live could profit from hearing them again." - Terence E. Fretheim, Elva B. Lovell Professor of Old Testament, Luther Seminary

Genres: Theology, Biblical Studies, Old Testament

255 pages, Hardcover

First published August 15, 2006

About the author

Walter 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.

Reviews

[Jared Saltz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Breuggemann is often a frustrating read. At times brilliant, and other times forcing me to scratch my head, this volume is one of his best works. Like Fire in the Bones is a compilation of essays (and class materials, and sermons turn into chapters) of reflection on Jeremiah's prophetic work and how that works for us today. It's clearly the product of enormous amounts of personal study and teaching on the text of Jeremiah, but also aimed at seminary or church contexts. I (accidentally) assigned it as the text for my REL 4226 course on Jeremiah. It was perhaps a bit meaty for non-majors, but it worked well for the majors and I'd probably assign this if I was teaching in a seminary context.

For myself, Brueggemann gonna Brueggemann. Some of his paragraphs were excellent and I agree with every word, and other times, well, he let himself get a bit focused on some political soapboxes and I think this likely weakens his argument and his rhetoric for folks who aren't already beating that drum. It was still useful however, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it. 4 stars.

[Sagely · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you, Walter Brueggemann, for these essays. I picked up this volume at just the right time, and it spoke fiercely to my situation.

This collection of essays mulls over Jeremiah, first from critical perspective, then theological, then pastoral or prophetic. While there is no thread beyond the text of Jeremiah that unites all these essays, they still seem to hang together well.

Already I've recommended this as required reading to friends preaching on Jeremiah. These essays spark with the spirit of the prophet. Good reading.

[Neil White · Rating 4 out of 5]

This a collection of articles by Brueggemann, many of them are really excellent. Speaking sometimes specifically about Jeremiah and sometimes about the biblical prophets in general, Brueggemann uses his characteristically sharp and poetic sense to bring these 2,500 year old words to speak to our time.

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful aid to my Summer study for Jeremiah. I loved the balance between critical theology and devotional reflection, even when I disagreed with some of his points. (He is really not giving the Holy Spirit nearly enough room or credit in any of Jeremiah.)

[Andy Gore · Rating 5 out of 5]

As ever Brueggemann is thought provoking and heart searching as he explores the impact of Jeremiah for today.