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Out of Babylon

Reviewed by Chris Skilton.

This book is vintage Brueggemann. It takes a fresh look at the themes of exile and restoration in the Old Testament prophets and embraces reflection on the texts of Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Second Isaiah. However, there is also a fascinating chapter on life under Persian rule following the collapse of the Babylonian empire, as expressed in the texts of Esther, Ezra/Nehemiah and the Daniel and Joseph narratives.

Brueggemann begins with the text of the Emmy Lou Harris/Jill Cunliff song, ‘Time in Babylon’ (a CD of the song would have been an excellent extra to go with the book – it’s very hard to get hold of here!). It indicates that Brueggemann’s purpose in this book is to use the experience of the people of Israel to reflect on how the church relates to and struggles with American ‘empire’ and hegemony. Reading this book on the day in August 2011 that the States lost its ‘Triple A’ credit rating has provided a further reminder of the fragility of earthly power beneath its tough veneer.

The exegesis of the biblical text is as sharp as ever and the analysis of the song (pages 119–122) a delight to read. It may be that Brueggemann’s skill in textual analysis and understanding of the history of the people of Israel make some of his pronouncements on American values, policy and activity today seem a little less sure-footed. Those of us who read this book outside of the States will need to make some comparisons and cross-over reflections on the society in which we live and seek to make sense of our faith. It would be all too easy to read this and point fingers and shake heads at the US scene. As Brueggemann says of the song at the heart of the book, “The song is a wake-up call. The call is not that we should not go to Babylon; rather, it is to notice that Babylon is where we already are”