Dr. Walter Brueggemann, who published more than 100 books and inspired generations of pastors and scholars, dies at age 92

LOUISVILLE — Dr. Walter Brueggemann, one of the most influential Bible interpreters of our time and the author of more than 100 books and numerous scholarly articles, died Thursday at his home in Michigan at age 92. His service is pending.

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Brueggemann taught at Eden Theological Seminary from 1961-1986 and at Columbia Theological Seminary from 1986-2003. He was William Marcellus McPheeters Professor Emeritus of Old Testament at Columbia Seminary and was an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ.

According to a remembrance by Dr. Victor Aloyo, Jr., president of Columbia Seminary, Brueggemann was born in Tilden, Nebraska, on March 11, 1933, and died peacefully Thursday morning. Brueggemann “often spoke of his father’s influence, a German evangelical pastor,” Aloyo said.

Brueggemann was a 1955 graduate of Elmhurst College (now Elmhurst University) and earned his B.D. (equivalent to today’s M.Div.) from Eden Theological Seminary in 1958. He completed his formal education at Union Theological Seminary in 1961, earning the Th.D. under the primary guidance of James Muilenburg. White teaching at Eden, Brueggemann earned a doctorate in education at St. Louis University. 

Brueggemann “has had a distinguished career as a prominent biblical interpreter, recognized for his contributions to rhetorical criticism of biblical texts,” Aloyo said. “Throughout his career, he delivered lectures nationally and internationally, influencing many across the field.” He is honored in “God in the Fray: A Tribute to Walter Brueggemann,” which celebrates his impact on biblical scholarship.

Brueggemann’s books include “The Prophetic Imagination,” “The Message of the Psalms,” and “Theology of the Old Testament.” In March, he published two new works: “The Collected Sermons of Walter Brueggemann, Volume 2” and “Walk Humbly with Your God: And Other Essays from Journal for Preachers.”

“A prolific writer and astute biblical theologian, Walter Brueggemann has written and edited numerous books published by WJK,” Westminster John Knox Press said in a statement. The prophets of the Old Testament were “one of his areas of expertise. While he interpreted their words and the contexts of their prophetic witness, Walter was deeply influenced by their messages, and he wrote and spoke prophetically himself.”

“With a clarion call, he reminded readers that the messages of the Old Testament prophets are as relevant today as they were in their time,” WJK Press said. “Walter constantly reminded readers of God’s covenantal call and God’s call to speak truth to power, to remember that grace abounds, and to loosen the bonds of injustice.”

“Many throughout the academy and the church share a deep gratitude for Walter’s life, light and witness,” the WJK Press statement said, “and blessedly, for many decades, Walter was WJK’s friend.”

Dr. William P. Brown, the current William Marcellus McPheeters Professor of Old Testament, shared this remembrance of Brueggemann:

“The world of biblical scholarship will never be the same. Walter Brueggemann single-handedly redefined biblical scholarship for the good of the church and world throughout his prolific service at Columbia Theological Seminary. Countless students and pastors have been transformed by Walter’s teaching and writing. Colleagues too. We are all in Walter’s debt for his prophetic imagination, creative words, profound wisdom, prolific energy, and sheer grace.”

Brueggemann is survived by his wife, Tia, and by his sons James and John and their families.