Interrupting Silence

1. What is "Interrupting Silence: God’s Command to Speak Out" by Walter Brueggemann about?

• Focus on Silence and Speech: The book explores the concept of silence, particularly the kind imposed by those in power to maintain control, and contrasts it with the biblical imperative to break silence in the pursuit of justice.
• Biblical Case Studies: Brueggemann examines various biblical stories where marginalized individuals or groups break silence, prompting divine or social transformation.
• Contemporary Relevance: The author draws parallels between ancient silencing and modern forms of oppression, urging readers to recognize and challenge silencing in today’s world.
• Theological Reflection: The book is both a biblical study and a call to action, emphasizing that God’s command is often to speak out against injustice, not to remain silent.

2. Why should I read "Interrupting Silence" by Walter Brueggemann?

• Timely Social Commentary: The book addresses urgent issues of power, oppression, and the need for courageous speech in both religious and secular contexts.
• Biblical Insight: Brueggemann offers deep, accessible interpretations of familiar and lesser-known biblical texts, making them relevant for modern readers.
• Empowerment for Action: Readers are encouraged to see themselves as potential silence-breakers, equipped to challenge injustice in their communities.
• Critical Engagement: The book invites critical thinking about the role of the church and individuals in perpetuating or challenging systems of silence.

3. What are the key takeaways from "Interrupting Silence: God’s Command to Speak Out"?

• Silence as a Tool of Power: Silence is often used by those in authority to maintain the status quo and suppress dissent.
• Breaking Silence is Transformative: When the oppressed break their silence, it can lead to personal, communal, and even divine action for justice.
• Biblical Precedent for Speaking Out: The Bible consistently sides with those who break silence in the face of injustice, from Hebrew slaves to prophetic voices.
• The Church’s Dual Role: The church can be both a silencing institution and a community of silence-breakers, depending on its alignment with power or the marginalized.

4. How does Walter Brueggemann define and distinguish types of silence in "Interrupting Silence"?

• Awe vs. Coercion: Brueggemann distinguishes between silence as reverence before holiness and silence as a result of coercion or oppression.
• Silence as Strategy: The book focuses on silence used strategically by dominant groups to suppress alternative voices and maintain control.
• Personal vs. Social Silence: He explores both externally imposed silence (by authorities) and self-imposed silence (due to shame, fear, or repression).
• Silence and the Status Quo: Silence is depicted as a mechanism for upholding unjust distributions of power and wealth.

5. What biblical stories and characters does "Interrupting Silence" use to illustrate breaking silence?

• Hebrew Slaves in Egypt: The groaning and crying out of the Israelites under Pharaoh’s oppression (Exodus 2:23) as the beginning of liberation.
• Prophets like Amos: Prophets who refuse to be silenced by religious and political authorities, speaking truth to power (Amos 7:13).
• The Syro-Phoenician Woman: A Gentile woman who challenges Jesus’ assumptions and expands his ministry by breaking silence (Mark 7:28).
• Bartimaeus and the Widow: Stories of marginalized individuals (the blind beggar Bartimaeus and the persistent widow) who persistently cry out for justice despite attempts to silence them.

6. How does "Interrupting Silence" by Brueggemann connect biblical silence-breaking to contemporary issues?

• Modern Parallels: The book draws connections between biblical silencing and modern forms of oppression, such as racism, sexism, and economic exploitation.
• Liberation Movements: Brueggemann references current movements like Black Lives Matter, feminism, and LGBTQ+ advocacy as examples of contemporary silence-breakers.
• Church and Social Justice: He critiques the church’s complicity in silencing marginalized voices and calls for active participation in justice movements.
• Political and Economic Systems: The book highlights how voter suppression, gerrymandering, and economic indebtedness are modern tools of silencing.

7. What is Brueggemann’s advice for individuals and communities who want to break silence?

• Recognize Silencing Mechanisms: Be aware of how silence is imposed, both externally and internally, and identify who benefits from it.
• Embrace Risk and Courage: Breaking silence often involves risk, but it is necessary for justice and transformation.
• Practice Persistent Advocacy: Like the widow in Luke 18, persistence in speaking out is crucial, even in the face of repeated refusals.
• Engage in Honest Prayer and Speech: Brueggemann encourages honest, even disruptive, prayer and public speech as acts of faith and resistance.

8. How does "Interrupting Silence" critique the role of the church as a silencing institution?

• Historical Complicity: The book documents how the church has historically silenced women, minorities, and dissenters to maintain order and privilege.
• Scriptural Justifications: Brueggemann examines problematic texts (e.g., 1 Corinthians 14:33–35) that have been used to justify silencing, and contrasts them with more inclusive biblical visions.
• Institutionalization and Power: He argues that as movements become institutions, they often compromise radical inclusivity for social respectability.
• Call for Reform: The church is challenged to return to its core gospel values, reimagine its practices, and become a community that empowers silence-breakers.

9. What are the main concepts and terms explained in "Interrupting Silence," and how are they important?

• Silence and Silencing: Central concepts, referring to both the act of not speaking and the active suppression of voices.
• Jubilee: The biblical idea of debt cancellation and restoration, used as a metaphor for justice and liberation.
• Originalism: Critiqued as a rigid, literalist approach to scripture that perpetuates silencing and resists reform.
• Baptismal Formula (Galatians 3:28): Used to argue for radical equality and the breaking down of social barriers in the church.

10. How does Brueggemann interpret the relationship between prayer and breaking silence in "Interrupting Silence"?

• Prayer as Political Act: Prayer is seen as a form of protest and advocacy, not just private devotion.
• Lament and Protest: Honest prayers of lament and protest are highlighted as biblical models for breaking silence before God and community.
• Persistence in Prayer: The parable of the persistent widow is used to illustrate the power of relentless, outspoken prayer in seeking justice.
• Prayer and Social Change: Brueggemann suggests that prayer can catalyze both personal transformation and broader social action.

11. What are some of the best quotes from "Interrupting Silence" by Walter Brueggemann, and what do they mean?

• “Silence is a strategy for the maintenance of the status quo, with its unbearable distribution of power and wealth.” — This highlights how silence serves those in power and why breaking it is necessary for justice.
• “The body knows that silence kills. When the silence is broken, the body may be restored and the body politic may be open to new possibility.” — Emphasizes the physical and communal consequences of imposed silence and the healing that comes with speaking out.
• “Prayer is a refusal to settle for what is.” — Suggests that prayer is inherently subversive, challenging the way things are and seeking transformation.
• “The breaking of silence by the testimony of the gospel often means breaking the silence among those who have a determined stake in maintaining the status quo.” — Points to the church’s responsibility to challenge internal and external silencing.

12. How does "Interrupting Silence" by Brueggemann suggest readers can apply its lessons in their own lives and communities?

• Identify Silenced Voices: Pay attention to who is being silenced in your context—whether in church, workplace, or society—and consider how to amplify their voices.
• Challenge Injustice: Use your voice to speak out against systems and practices that perpetuate inequality and oppression.
• Foster Inclusive Communities: Work to make your faith community or organization a place where all voices, especially those on the margins, are heard and valued.
• Continual Re-examination: Regularly re-examine traditions, scriptures, and practices to ensure they are not being used to justify silencing or exclusion.