Summary of Walter Brueggemann on the Relational God

00:00:00 - 00:35:00

In "Walter Brueggemann on the Relational God," the speaker discusses how the Bible teaches that there is nothing behind the relationship between God and humans, and that this relationship is always open to surprise, dispute, and reversal. He also argues that the church has lost its commitment to relationship, and that nothing can be translated from the Bible into other concepts.

• 00:00:00 In the first text of his talk, Walter Brueggemann discusses the relationship between justice, grace, and law in the Bible. He points to the example of Yahweh's relationship with Israel in Hosea 2 as an example of how this relationship is open-ended, contested, and ongoing. In the second text he discusses marital vows in Hebrew and how they illustrate this relationship. Finally, he discusses how this relationship is relevant to today's world.
• 00:05:00 Walter Brueggemann discusses the concept of a "relational God" in relation to the Old and New Testaments. He points to passages in the Old Testament where Yahweh is described as a God who "reaches out in an incredible faithful and generous will to be with Yahweh," while also noting that in later texts, such as Lamentations, Yahweh is called upon to act on behalf of his people even in the midst of their suffering. He cites Psalm 85 as an example of how the people of Israel continue to remember Yahweh's love and mercy even in the face of great destruction.
• 00:10:00 Walter Brueggemann argues that the Bible teaches that there is nothing behind the relationship between God and humans, and that this relationship is always open to surprise, dispute, and reversal. He also argues that the church has lost its commitment to relationship, and that nothing can be translated from the Bible into other concepts.
• 00:15:00 Walter Brueggemann discusses how the concept of fidelity applies to the relationship between God, self, and neighbor in the context of urban life. He notes that this concept is embodied in the biblical term Shalom, which refers to a state of peace and harmony.
• 00:20:00 Walter Brueggemann explains that God is relational and faithful, always making a second effort after we sin. He also provides examples from the Old Testament of how Israel recognized this.
• 00:25:00 Walter Brueggemann argues that relationality, or the practice of looking out for the interests of others, is important in understanding God's agency. He goes on to say that this agency is not limited to humans, but extends to all of creation. Finally, Brueggemann argues that the self-sufficiency of God and His self-preoccupation with the well-being of others is not a departure from who God is, but rather a manifestation of His nature.
• 00:30:00 Walter Brueggemann discusses how the relationship between God and humans is always one of offering and reaching out to the other. He believes that the clash between cultures is a result of human relationships not functioning properly, and that the first creation is a result of this relationship being properly executed.
• 00:35:00 In this video, Walter Brueggemann discusses the idea of a relational God, which he defines as a God who is always in relationship with others. This relationship is risky, demanding, and always generating new possibilities. This relationship is always filled with joy, but it is also always scary because it requires us to be in the presence of an "uneasy other."