Walter Brueggemann
A Brief Tribute
About twenty years ago I read a book called The Wild Gospel by Alison Morgan. This book had several quotes from an Old Testament scholar named Walter Brueggemann—someone unfamiliar to me. This was early on in my theological journey away from “easy-cheesy-cotton-candy-Christianity” and I was still embarrassingly ignorant of the good stuff. Anyway, I thought the Brueggemann quotes were fantastic. So I did a little research, learned that The Prophetic Imagination was Brueggemann’s most popular book, and promptly ordered it. A week or so later I read it on an international flight. I don’t remember where I was flying to, but I remember scribbling in the margin of the book, “This changes everything!” The Prophetic Imagination remains one of the ten most influential books I’ve ever read. Next I read Finally Comes the Poet. Man, I love that book! It is, quite simply, the best book on the art of preaching ever written. Then I began reading one Brueggemann tome after another. At one point Peri led our leadership team in a book study of Truth Speaks to Power. Eventually I read some three dozen of Brueggemann’s books. His influence on my theology is truly incalculable.
Walter Brueggemann was a towering figure in the world of Old Testament scholarship—perhaps unrivaled in the English-speaking world—and over the next few weeks there will be many tributes to his stellar scholarship from people far more qualified than me. What I would like to do instead is offer a brief personal reminiscence.
Twelve years ago I met Walter and we formed a friendship. He wrote the foreword for Postcards From Babylon—something I’m terribly proud of. (You can read the foreword here.) Later he appeared in the Postcards From Babylon documentary. (You can watch the documentary for free here.) We maintained fairly regular correspondence, usually regarding his latest book. I talked with him about his biography, Walter Brueggemann’s Prophetic Imagination written by Conrad Kanagy when it came out a couple of years ago. (We’re both small town Missouri boys who are descendants of Swiss-German immigrants.) Walter was pleased with the biography and I recommend it. When Walter read about me in Tim Alberta’s The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory he sent a very kind email.
I could go on, but here’s one story that, at least for me, captures Walter’s warm and gracious personality.
It's always risky to meet your heroes—they may disappoint you. I knew this. And so as I drove to the airport to pick up Walter Brueggemann who had agreed to speak at our Faith and Culture Conference I reminded myself of this peril. “BZ, Walter doesn’t owe you anything more than what he’s already given in his books. That’s enough. He doesn’t have to be a great guy.” I took him to his hotel and told him I’d pick him up in the morning when he was scheduled to speak. When he asked if anything was happening tonight, I said,
“Yes, tonight’s the first night of the conference.”
“What’s happening?”
“I’m speaking.”
“I want to come hear you speak.”
“Oh, I’m sure you don’t. You’ve had a long day of travel; why don’t you just take it easy tonight.”
“No, I want to come hear you speak.”
What could I do? I brought him to church to hear me speak. (Yes, I was nervous.) After the meeting Walter asked if anything else was happening.
“A few of us are getting together at my house.”
“Can I come?”
Well, of course he could. And Walter Brueggemann turned out to be the life of the party! He was funny, talkative, sociable, and just a great guy to hang out with. We talked about the Bible, we talked about growing up in church, and we talked about baseball. (Walter was a life-long Cardinals fan.) It was such an enjoyable and memorable night of conversation and laughter.
Walter Brueggemann did nothing less than to give me a new Old Testament. Without Brueggemann I don’t know what I do with the first thirty-nine books of the Bible. The great scholar didn’t owe me more than that. But that he turned out to be an absolutely wonderful soul who was a joy to be around . . . well, what can I say? Sometimes it’s great to meet your heroes.
Thank you for everything, Walter.
Rest in peace.
BZ
What a wonderful reminiscence, Brian. Thank you. Your ministry (as you have so beautifully articulated) has been influenced through Walter Bruggeman’s writings. Now, many of us have been gifted by your influence on our lives and ministries. Truly “the beat goes on!”
I was in (2) seminary during the 80s when Brueggemann was in his glory and I had great respect for the man