Product Overview
Walter Brueggemann’s final work takes readers on a poetic journey through Genesis, bringing new hope, deep reflection, and discovery of all that God promises.
"We are before you;
We are in the world;
We are unhindered; our lives are unhindered in work, in freedom, in companionship.
We gladly accept our vocation as your agents of blessing.
Because of us, the world has a chance for well-being.
We bask in your greatness;
We celebrate the good work you give us;
We rejoice in the life you make possible
as we stand as a sign of your good governance."
—from "On Reading Genesis 2"
In God of All Promises: A Poetic Pilgrimage through Genesis, Walter Brueggemann offers a fresh, prayerful journey that illuminates our shared faith. With poetic insight and theological depth, Brueggemann invites readers to find new meaning in each chapter of Genesis through his personal spiritual practice of praying back the Bible to the God who dwells therein. Those who engage deeply with these poems will find themselves taking time with each line, pausing so that they may engage in critical reflection on the text, appreciate the art of the text, and see the text as a script for prayer and meditation.
Beginning with a scriptural epigraph and ending in prayer, every entry invites deeper engagement with the living Word, gleaning a renewed sense of God’s enduring promises. Brueggemann’s lifelong passion for Scripture and the faith community shines through as he draws out the persistent themes of God’s presence, faithfulness, and creative love, even in humanity’s messiest moments. In Genesis, he shows us a God who brings order out of chaos, calls us beyond grief and fear, and forms a people meant to bless the world.
Whether you’re a pastor, seeker, or lifelong learner, God of All Promises is a spiritual companion that offers a rich, imaginative resource for individual devotion, group study, or communal worship. Let these poetic meditations draw you deeper into the bold, beautiful promises of the God who is still creating life today.
Perfect for Book Clubs!
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Reviews
"A devotional, a prayer book, an intimate reflection on the deep stories of our faith in conversation with the God we meet in Genesis: a gift. Read this as a pastor preparing to preach on these texts, read this as liturgy in worship as a prayer of the people, read this as a person of faith longing to connect with the God that sometimes seems so strange and yet so wonderful in these ancient stories. Brueggemann spans the distance between ancient and present, speaking words on our behalf that connect us as a family of faith across the generations. Above all, this book testifies to Brueggemann’s life work as a biblical scholar: an act of faith seeking understanding, to both obey and plead with the God we meet in Scripture." —Carolyn B. Helsel, Associate Professor in the Blair Monie Distinguished Chair in Homiletics, Austin Seminary
"These ‘prayers and probes’ have been inspired by one last reading through the book of Genesis by a master exegete, who, as it turns out, is also a master poet. How appropriate! This little book is a treasure, left to us unexpectedly by one who has taught us much. And in this last contribution, he continues teaching. One can almost hear his voice when reading these prayers, like one following Brueggemann on a poetic pilgrimage one last time through the text he loved so well." —Bill T. Arnold, Paul S. Amos Professor of Old Testament Interpretation, Asbury Theological Seminary
"In these pages, Brueggemann helps us hear Genesis again with wonder and honesty. His poetic prayers slow us down long enough to notice a God who keeps creating, calling, and promising right in the middle of our disorder. This book is a companion for anyone who wants Scripture to shape not just their thinking, but their hope." —Josh Kingcade, Senior Minister, Preston Road Church of Christ
"Brueggemann’s God of All Promises provides a devotional lens to explore the book of beginnings. Intentionally theological, these reflections model a way for us to, in his words, ‘pray back’ to the text. Moreover, the poetic form of each entry reminds us of the ways in which the Bible is inherently poetic, dialogical, and invitational, calling us into a space where we can be challenged, surprised, delighted, sometimes troubled, but always transformed. This is a great resource for individual and group study." —Judy Fentress-Williams, Dodge Professor of Biblical Interpretation, Virginia Theological Seminary
"What a tremendous gift the late Walter Brueggemann has bequeathed to the church. His poetic and prayerful reflections on each chapter of Genesis are insightful, heartfelt, and profoundly edifying. In these pages, Brueggemann models a way of engaging Scripture that makes it come alive—opening its divine wisdom and revealing its deep relevance for our lives today. I wholeheartedly recommend God of All Promises to all who love Scripture and to any who long to love Scripture but aren’t yet sure how." —Greg Boyd, Senior Pastor, Woodland Hills Church
"Forty-three years ago, Walter Brueggemann published his robust commentary on Genesis. Now, toward the end of his life, he has returned to Genesis with the fresh eyes of a poet, ‘praying back’ the text to God. This new ‘commentary’ offers a prayerful way of living into the text, and we receive it as his parting gift." —William P. Brown, William Marcellus McPheeters Professor of Old Testament, Columbia Theological Seminary
"Brueggemann crafts powerfully and elegantly insights into Genesis. His poetic words draw us in and shake us up. He reminds us that faith’s peculiar language shall form our reflections and deepen our prayers, if we let it. This book is a beautiful companion to his beloved Genesis commentary!" —Clover Reuter Beal, Co-pastor, Montview Boulevard Presbyterian Church
"This rich collection testifies to Brueggemann’s abiding love of the Hebrew Scriptures and his wisdom about spiritual formation. His expositions of Genesis texts are saturated with poetic drama, theological depth, and ethical honesty. This book is beautifully suited for Bible studies, devotional reading, and discussion groups eager to link biblical theology with contemporary issues." —Carolyn J. Sharp, Professor of Homiletics, Yale Divinity School