The task of prophetic ministry is to nurture, nourish, and evoke a consciousness and perception alternative to the consciousness and perception of the dominant culture around us.
Interpretation
This quote emphasizes the role of prophetic ministry in fostering a new awareness that contrasts with mainstream societal views.
Walter Brueggemann articulates that prophetic ministry goes beyond mere prediction; it serves to cultivate and uplift a consciousness that challenges and stands apart from the prevailing cultural norms. This perspective encourages individuals to critically reflect on their values and beliefs in relation to the dominant narratives that shape society.
In practice
This quote can be used in a sermon to inspire a congregation towards social justice and awareness.
People notice peacemakers because they dress funny. We know how the people who make war dress - in uniforms and medals, or in computers and clipboards, or in absoluteness, severity, greed, and cynicism. But the peacemaker is dressed in righteousness, justice, and faithfulness - dressed for the work that is to be done.
And when we take ourselves too seriously, we are grim about the brothers and sisters, especially the dissenting ones, and there will be no health in us and no healing humor.
Imagination is a danger thus every totalitarian regime is frightened of the artist. It is the vocation of the prophet to keep alive the ministry of imagination to keep on conjouring and proposing alternative futures to the single one the king wants to urge as the only thinkable one.
The power of the future lies not in the hands of those who believe in scarcity but of those who trust God's abundance.
We shape our dwellings, and afterwards our dwellings shape us.
What goes on inside is just too fast and huge and all interconnected for words to do more than barely sketch the outlines of at most one tiny little part of it at any given instant.
An honorable man or woman is one who is truthful; free from deceit; above cheating, lying, stealing, or any form of deception. An honorable man or woman is one who learns early that one cannot do wrong and feel right. A man's character is judged on how he keeps his word and his agreements.
Do not surrender your grief so quickly Let it cut more deeply Let it ferment and season you As few human or divine ingredients can Something is missing in my heart tonight That has made my eyes so soft And my voice so tender And my need of God so absolutely clear.
Respect for the rights of others means peace.
No matter how far a person can go the horizon is still way beyond you.
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