Walter Brueggemann
Hermeneutics in a fragile land
The history of Palestinian Christian interpretation of the Old Testament reminds us of the nuanced, fragile nature of life in that region.
Zionism's theological roots
How does theology shape Jewish democracy, in light of the many competing claims and complex relationships in the land of Israel?
Inside the other side
Violence seems to have permeated every dimension of our common life and our imagination. Jonathan Sacks offers a wise response.
The Paradox of Liberation, by Michael Walzer
Michael Walzer addresses a surprising question: the interplay between social revolutions and reactive counterrevolutions.
The Love of God, by Jon D. Levenson
Jon Levenson's new book reflects on the theme of the love of God in the Hebrew Bible. The three components of his subtitle suggest the range and depth of his exposition.
Post-traumatic texts
David Carr rereads the familiar materials of the Bible in conversation with trauma theory. This opens the way for a fresh and suggestive interpretation.
Deadly illusion
Philosopher Firmin DaBrabander has written a judicious exposition of the crisis of guns in our society. He pays particular attention to the ideology, claims, and consequences of the NRA.
Social and Economic Life in Second Temple Judea, by Samuel L. Adams
Samuel Adams's book is important on two counts: he focuses on the once-neglected period of the Second Temple, and he asks economic questions rather than theological-spiritual ones.
Found in translation
George Steiner said that "the translator invades, extracts, and brings home." In this remarkable volume, Everett Fox does all of this.
Contesting Catholicity, by Curtis W. Freeman
Curtis Freeman's book addresses primarily Baptists, but his concern matters to all Christians who live in denominational separatism but are summoned to embrace the richness of catholic faith.
True and Holy, by Leo D. Lefebure
Engagement in serious, respectful conversation with other religious traditions is important and urgent. Leo Lefebure details why it’s also difficult.
David: The Divided Heart, by David Wolpe
There is at present a stream of good and interesting books on the Hebrew Bible’s King David, written by first-rate scholars....
Redeeming Our Sacred Story, by Mary C. Boys
Mary Boys offers concrete proposals for how the story of Jesus’ crucifixion can be told faithfully in the presence of Jewish conversation partners.
Reinventing Liberal Christianity, by Theo Hobson
Theo Hobson’s ambitious book traces the historical emergence and fate of liberal theology in the modern period. He defends the “liberal state” and the way good liberal Christianity is allied with it.
Warrior God
How are we to reconcile the Old Testament's violence with the gospel? Jerome Creach's book is among the best of a recent stream of books on the topic.
Robert McAfee Brown, selected with an introduction by Paul Crowley
Decades ago when I was a graduate student at Union Seminary in New York City, Robert McAfee Brown was the hot young teacher of theology.
Ethics of Liberation, by Enrique Dussel
Enrique Dussel’s Ethics of Liberation might well seem too theoretical and too filled with jargon to merit attention in these pages....
The Scandal of Having Something to Say, by Lance B. Pape
Perhaps the best entry point into The Scandal of Having Something to Say is the word postliberal in the subtitle, which requires that we consider the term liberal, to whi...
Discovering the poor
Peter Brown considers the fourth-century church's radicality concerning wealth—and its readiness to adapt as circumstances seemed to require.
Occupy Religion, by Joerg Rieger and Kwok Pui-lan
It is easy to conclude that the Occupy movement was a flash in the pan, enacted by disgruntled people without a plan or staying power, a passing whim to be forgotten. This book insists otherwise.