TJieodore W. Jennings, Jr. The Meaning of ... - Quarterly Review

limitations, even in quite valuable books such as these. Achtemeier
is stronger on Pentateuch and wilderness themes than on prophecy,
and postexilic writings are particularly poorly represented. Wisdom
is overly moralized. These imbalances appear to be the logical result
of her commitment to the biblical theology movement, which tends
to level variation in search of the end of history. Brueggemann
represents well the texts that better fit his themes. For instance, he
frequentiy mentions Exodus texts, legal texts, and Psalms; but the
historical writings and wisdom are mostly ignored.
Though Achtemeier does a good job of showing the differences in
the literary forms, the theological variation between different strands
of thought are not as well illustrated. The oneness of the story is
emphasized to the detriment, and almost to the exclusion, of the
variations of perspective and the multiplicity of Hebrew Bible
traditions about the one God. In contrast, Brueggemann shows a
categorization of reality that is consonant with Hegel's dialectical
philosophy. In the chapters, Brueggemann presents opposites
("reductions") and then constructs a middle path. Such patternings
have enormous benefits for showing the inherent contradictions
within many positions about biblical faith held by people today, and
yet it tends toward oversimplification.
An interesting comparison thus emerges. By stating that the texts
are all part of the same singular story, Achtemeier oversimplifies
and thus denies the diversity present in the Hebrew Bible. On the
other hand, by creating dichotomies that may be too facile,
Brueggemann oversimplifies at the level of interpretation. Though
these books have limits of perspective, they are succinct and clear
statements that can form the beginning for further inquiry. Neither
book can function as the last word on preaching the Hebrew Bible,
but both are powerful entries into the topics.
There are noteworthy differences in theological perspective
between Achtemeier and Brueggemann. Achtemeier is the more
conservative of the two, as evidenced by her conscious adherence to
masculine references for God and by her understanding of the
relationship between the Old and New Testaments. Brueggemann's
more liberal perspectives will be seen in his references to liberation
throughout today's world and in his close linking of faith with social
and economic realities. Though they represent different positions
86 QUARTERLY REVIEW/SPRING 1993