Mandate to Difference: An Invitation to the Contemporary Church

by Walter Brueggemann

In Mandate to Difference , renowned theologian Walter Brueggemann sets forth a new vision of the Christian church in today's world. Based on speaking engagements surrounding his critical passion and conviction that the church in this moment must set itself in tension with the rest of the world, these essays call the church to courageously defy political polarization, consumerism, and militarism.

Genres: Theology, Ecclesiology, Church

215 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

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

[Donner Tan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Walter Brueggemann is not capable of writing a boring sentence. His words are well crafted, sharp and provocative, even if different readers will take issues with him on different points. Here is a scholar whose mind has been baptised with decades of deep study and reflection of the biblical materials; it is hard to pull apart the exegetical basis of his proposals, which are often subversive to contemporary habits of thoughts.

This collection of talks he gave on different occasions to the contemporary audience, brings the ancient texts of Scriptures to bear on the modern church, primarily in the American socio-political context but in many ways relevant to other modern societies as well. He basically circles around the theme of God's alternative society vs Pharaoh's/Philistine's/Caesar's empire. Hence it is God's life-giving command of the Sabbath against the quota-system of the urban world, God's invitation to rest in his abundant grace vs the harried and hurried quest for acquisition, consumptions and accomplishments that bolster the idolatrous self. Here, he unmasks the illusions of human greed and proposes instead a life centered around God and neighbour and that liberates the self for shalom - for art, beauty and play.

Being very much a part of the Pharaohic world myself, I have to take the leisurely pace to digest this book and hear the message it is intended to convey. Thankfully, Brueggemann is as much a poet as he is a careful scholar;his words have a way of stretching your imagination, evoking an alternative world and holding out hope for a world starving for a fresh script with which to order its existence. Most of us know that business as usual simply will not do. I thank God for Brueggemann who helps us to listen to the ancient texts again that are capable of speaking afresh to every generation in such a powerful and liberating way.

[Thomas Christianson · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had a very difficult time with this book. Even while I am in agreement with several large concepts discussed, I simply found most of the book to be meandering nonsense.

It is entirely possible that the author is so much smarter than I am, I was simply unable to comprehend what he was saying. However, the fact remains that I believe I got less out of this book than any book I've read in the past 5 years.

[Mar · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5-4 This book is a collection of essays and sermons given by Brueggemann in 2005. I enjoyed them and found some more easy to follow than others which required more concentration. I especially liked his two chapters on Sabbath rest and some of his early chapters. I appreciate his explanations of scripture.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A mixed bag, as it is a series of messages and seminars compiled into a book. The audience is (mostly mainline, liberal denomination) ministers, which means it has a very specific bent.

I prefer Brueggemann's work on the Psalms, though his treatment of Sabbath here was a real eye-opener.

[Kerri · Rating 4 out of 5]

The chapters are an assortment of material culled from Brueggeman's public speaking. Don't look for a cohesive argument to build from chapter to chapter. That being said, the themes of sabbath and empire pop up several times. For those who are social justice oriented, there's a lot of meat here. Take it slowly and let it seep in.

[Edward Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

With the eloquence of an Isaiah, the courage of a Jeremiah, and the compassion of a Hosea, WB calls, challenges, cajoles today's church (in the catholic sense) to flesh out its Word and work. WB is truly a grace gift to us all. A must read!

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collections of essays, speeches, sermons or whatever. Full of fun insights, good observations, and loosely related to the title. Its worth picking up.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful collection of essays and sermons on the topic of ecclesiology. Prophetic as usual.