Remembering Walter Brueggemann

A Voice That Still Speaks

The Legacy of a Theological Giant

This week, the world lost a towering figure in theology: American theologian and biblical scholar Walter Brueggemann passed away. And maybe, if I'm honest, I should have shared this reflection a long time ago. But his passing stirred something in me—a deep gratitude for his influence and a renewed urgency to pass along the gift of his work to you.

Brueggemann was not just a scholar; he was a provocateur of the imagination. His words shaped the way I think about God, the Bible, and what it means to be the Church in the world.

Reframing the Prophetic Voice

The heart of Brueggemann's legacy, for me, starts with his groundbreaking book The Prophetic Imagination. It came out more than 40 years ago, but I stumbled upon it in my twenties, and it shook me. In those pages, he reimagines the biblical prophets—not as fortune tellers predicting distant futures, but as voices calling out the systems of their time.

He argues that prophets don't just foretell; they challenge. They confront injustice, name our idols, and point to an alternative world that pulses with the possibility of God's compassion and communal flourishing. Their work is about awakening hope. And it’s not just about the prophet's message—it's about the imagination they inspire in us.

That same prophetic energy, Brueggemann believed, can still animate the Church today. It can stir us to speak truth to power and to envision a world that reflects God's justice and mercy. It’s about more than preaching. It’s about dreaming.

A Living, Breathing Scripture

Brueggemann also changed the way I see the Bible. He didn’t treat scripture as a static, inerrant rulebook. Instead, he approached it as a dynamic conversation—not just with ancient words, but with God through those words.

In An Unsettling God, he describes God as a character in the story—not distant and immutable, but active and responsive, shaped by interaction and relationship. This is the God we meet in the Hebrew scriptures. A God who listens, grieves, and responds. A God in process with us.

For Brueggemann, the task of reading scripture wasn’t about nailing down definitive answers. It was about entering the conversation. Wrestling with the text. Being willing to be changed. He pushed back on rigid, modernist readings and invited us instead into a space of poetic, reflective, and critical engagement.

Faith That Confronts Injustice

Of course, Brueggemann's prophetic vision naturally led to a theology deeply concerned with justice. His writing draws our attention to economic inequality, ecological crisis, systemic violence, and the marginalization of vulnerable communities.

But more than just raising awareness, he called us to act. For Brueggemann, authentic faith reshapes our imagination—and from there, compels us to live differently. To make space for equity, compassion, and shalom in our neighborhoods and systems.

A Voice That Echoes Beyond His Life

Walter Brueggemann has shaped more than just individual minds. His influence stretches across denominations and traditions, sparking fresh thought in seminaries, pulpits, and living rooms. And while his stack of accolades confirms his reach, I think what would matter most to him is this: that real communities of faith have been challenged and changed by his work.

Yes, it's sad to say goodbye. But at 92, his was a life well-lived. And I believe his voice will continue to speak, long after he's gone—offering hope, inviting us into scripture, and urging us to embody justice.

Where to Begin

If you haven’t encountered Brueggemann's work, now is the time. Start with The Prophetic Imagination. Or pick up Praying the Psalms for a beautiful introduction to a poetic, honest spirituality. An Unsettling God is a personal favorite, and An Other Kingdom offers a powerful critique of consumer culture. You might also read Interrupting Silence, which explores the holy calling to speak out.

Walter Brueggemann was a vital voice in contemporary theology. And he remains a worthy companion for anyone seeking a faith that is thoughtful, compassionate, and alive.