Walter Brueggemann, arguably America's leading Old Testament scholar and theologian, takes us on a wild ride through the poetic prophecy of the Hebrew Scripture, identifying cultural contexts, putting a framework to Israel's history, and, most significantly--and times challengingly!--drawing connections between Israel's sociological, economic and spiritual status and that of America today.
What was the message of these remarkable poet-prophets in their own time and place? What is their message for us today? Who are today's prophetic voices? How has the contemporary church been co-opted by culture? What steps can we take to reclaim the prophetic message of distributive justice, nonviolence, loss and hope? And what is your role in bringing God's perspective to today's society?
Also required is the separately available Embracing the Prophets in Contemporary Culture DVD (978606740910), which contains all video content needed to conduct this study.
Each of the six sessions begins with a 10-15 minute video presentation by Walter Brueggemann, followed by filmed interaction with a diverse small group. This Participant's Workbook then helps your own local small group "join the conversation." It includes all study materials needed by participants an those who lead. Each participant will need one copy.
- Session 1: Moses, Pharaoh, the Prophets and Us
- Session 2: The Prophets as Uncredentialed Purveyors of Covenant
- Session 3: Moral Coherence in a World of Power, Money and Violence
- Session 4: The Shrill Rhetoric that Breaks Denial
- Session 5: The Grief of Loss as Divine Judgement
- Session 6: The Promissory Language that Breaks Despair