A New Phrase: Dialogic Perspectivism and Walter Bruggeman

I just finished listening to a teaching series by Walter Bruggeman which I enjoyed listening to over a several day period. He focused on the Old Testament. I have always loved these beautiful stories in the Bible and I appreciated how he brought them to life. He touched on the themes from several of the books and has incredible knowledge and insight which he communicates with clarity and depth.

He began the series by starting with the premise that we are a generation that lives in fear. In light of that premise, what does scripture say about that?

His anecdote for fear is to be actively involved in the interpretive process. He states, "Lively faithful people are always in the process of renegotiation that lets us be fully ourselves in the presence of God." He is not advocating relativism (anything goes) or absolutism (saying our conviction loudly)- oh for some reason that makes me giggle because that is such a true definition for that term. Bruggeman is advocating "dialogic perspectivism". It is in our dialogue that the growth process takes place. Wisdom grows out of the critical reflection of our experiences and much of that happens in community.

He says each one of us is interpreting and seeing our faith through different lenses and everyone needs to be part of the discussion. When we ask the question "what does this mean?", we all interpret differently. He believes in using the "zone of imagination" and believes the Bible is much more than just a history lesson.

I believe we all have a story, we all have something to contribute to the discussion. This process all began for me as a child.

One of my first memories of the Bible are with my Grandmother Jilbert. When my parents would have her "babysit" my sister and I, she would read from this large, holy looking Bible that had the most beautiful pictures in it. This is where my first stirrings of love for God, curiosity and yes, lots of imagining began. I would cuddle in close to Grandma as she read in her beautiful voice. We would talk about the stories.

I remember buying my first Bible in Toronto on a vacation. It was a one-year Bible. I was going to read the Bible in a year- I was in eighth grade and pretty excited about it. I did read the Bible that year and I became mesmorized by all the incredible, beautiful stories. I would have wonderful discussions with my parents and grandparents on Sundays during this time as I was experiencing all the excitement of reading so many amazing passages; some for the very first time.

My Dad gave me the Living Bible, a couple years later, which I also read through and enjoyed the simple language. I was understanding in further depth, things I was unable to the first time. Again the conversations continued. My Grandpa loved the King James rendition and you could not tell him otherwise. When we would study the scriptures on Sunday I would love to have two or three versions in front of me and he would laugh and tease me as he had his large black Oral Roberts King James...(I know deep down he was proud of this in me, my love of the text). The freedom to debate, ask questions and discuss was part of the negotiation.

Then there were the Bible challenges he gave me. He being a Sunday School Teacher at First United Methodist for so many years, he nudged that teaching gift out of me by having me "teach" on different passages for him. I would work so hard preparing and then present to him and the family in the cozy living room on Markle Street. I wanted to be accurate and looking back I see his goal was to motivate me and to help guide me along; to help me become part of the conversation. He was teaching me critical reflection. There were so many stories he shared with me about his spiritual life. What awe I would be in when he would discuss his walk with the Lord! I am so grateful that he would talk about his life and love for God so openly.

Each stage of my experience with the Bible has brought new and different insights. I am currently enjoying Eugene Peterson's The Message Bible and I am still renegotiating much of what I read as I grow in wisdom, as my experiences change and as I continue to have discussions in community.

I am looking forward to studying more of Bruggeman and reading his books. The themes he touched on such as God providing in times of scarcity, the contrast between judgement and homecoming, right living and civil justice, and particularly how he compares the differences between the themes of Proverbs and Job sparks me to study the scriptures yet again and look at them in new light, with new insights. One can become too used to the stories and scriputures and forget about the magic and excitement in them, the lessons to be learned, the opportunities for discussion and most of all, reading with joy, awe and childlike wonder.