• old testament scholar • Rev. Dr. Walter Brueggemann Brings His Insights to Asbury First
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f you go to Amazon.com and type in “Walter Brueggemann,” you’ll end up with a list containing 1,094 items. Even accounting for the fact that there are numerous second and third editions and international translations among the results, it is still safe to assume that the Rev. Dr. Walter Brueggemann – scholar, theologian, professor, and ordained UCC pastor – is a prolific author.
Old Testament studies and a dean at Eden Theological Seminary. In 1986, he was named the William Marcellus McPheeters professor of Old Testament (now emeritus) at Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Georgia. Distinguished though his academic career has been, Dr. Brueggemann is perhaps most well known for his writings and scholarly work.
And indeed he is. Dr. Brueggemann’s literary output includes some 60+ books, including Awed to Heaven, Rooted in Earth, the beautiful book of prayer-poems that was the subject of an Asbury First allcampus read this Lent, and his most recent 2012 release, with Tim Scorer, Embracing the Prophets in Contemporary Culture: Walter Brueggemann on confronting Today’s “Pharaohs.” Arguably the most important Old Testament scholar working today, Dr. Brueggemann, who will be speaking at Asbury First on April 22 and 23, has something of the look of an Old Testament prophet himself. Tall and intense, he is a dynamic speaker whether at the podium or in the pulpit (see for yourself by typing his name in at www.
youtube.com. You’ll find almost as many entries as there are at Amazon.) A native of Tilden, Nebraska, Walter Brueggemann is the son of a minister of the German Evangelical Synod of North America. He did his undergraduate work at Elmhurst College, an Illinois institution affiliated with the United Church of Christ, and Eden Theological Seminary in Missouri. He has several advanced degrees: a doctorate of theology from Union Theological Seminary in New York and a Ph.D. in education from St. Louis University. Dr. Brueggemann has spent his professional life in academia, serving as a professor of
“No contemporary interpreter of scripture fuels the imagination like Brueggemann,” wrote Bishop William H. Willimon, former dean of the Chapel of Duke University. Speaking about Brueggemann’s book Cadences of Home, Willimon said,“...Walter Brueggemann excites with his insights, his listening to texts, his ability to name our present context and to give us the courage to speak boldly to the church in exile.” Brueggemann is a contributing editor to both Sojourners and Christian Century magazines and is an associate editor of Journal for Preachers. He has received numerous awards and commendations during his long career, including the Albert Schweitzer Memorial Award from the Committee for the Scientific continued on page 14
Asbury First United Methodist Church Presents
Dr. Walter Brueggemann “The Food Fight IN FAITH” 7:00 p.m. Sunday, April 22 Asbury First Sanctuary Tickets: $10/$5 students and seniors; $15 at the door Advance tickets available online at www.asburyfirst.org or by calling (585) 271-1050. Asbury First is also hosting a workshop called “The Artistry of Prayer” with Dr. Brueggemann on Monday, April 23 at 9:30 a.m. The workshop is free but registration is required and space is limited. Please call (585) 271-1050 to reserve your space.
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