The Land (Overtures To Biblical Theology Series)

Brueggemann states that land """"is a central, if not the central theme of biblical faith. . . a pursuit of historical belonging that includes a sense of destiny derived from such belonging"""" (3). He adds when speaking of """"place"""" as a """"space that has historical meanings, where some things have happened that are now remembered and provide continuity and identity across generations. . . defined vocation, and envisioned destiny"""" (4). Using this template, he focuses that all such space is with God. He then seeks to establish the theme of land through Scripture as being directly connected to God; from Eden to Heaven, His lands and His purpose for humanity. He notes that within Genesis,""""two histories, both concerned with the land"""" are established, Genesis 1-11 and 12-50, the life of Abraham and his relationship with the land as a """"new history"""" (16), differentiating it from the creation narrative. Chapter four is the strongest. Here, he provides commentary on the Promised Land being a gracious gift that """"binds Israel in a new way to the [G]iver"""" (45) among other valid points. However, he widens his scope in such a way that allow eisegesis to take place as the opening few pages borderline on almost literary approach to the text (e. g. his discussion on existentialism and """"spaces""""). He spend time discussing the Abraham, Jacob and Numbers narrative, highlighting the identities, promised descendants, covenants promised and God's theophany's, but…