Bill Brown: Sacred Tension & Biblical Dialogues
Homebrewed Christianity
Exploring the Tensions in Wisdom Literature
This chapter explores the complexities and contradictions within the wisdom literature of Proverbs, Job, and Ecclesiastes. It challenges listeners to reconsider their understanding of wisdom, particularly in relation to ethical decision-making and the nature of foolishness.
If you've ever read the Bible and felt tension between different passages, or found yourself in conversation with another Christian only to realize there are unresolvable differences at play, then Bill Brown's new book "acred Tension"is going to be right up your alley. Bill argues that this tension isn't a bug in the system—it's exactly what the Bible is supposed to do. In our conversation, we explore how the diversity of Scripture isn't a liability but rather an invitation to dialogue. From the multiple creation stories in Genesis to the competing voices in wisdom literature, Bill shows us how the biblical editors intentionally preserved these different perspectives to foster conversation among readers. We explore what it means to read Scripture as Scripture—with expectant reverence and critical engagement—and how this approach transforms both our understanding of biblical authority and our practice of faith. This is a conversation about learning to sit with sacred tension rather than trying to resolve it, and discovering how that tension itself becomes a source of wisdom and transformation.
You can WATCH the conversation on YouTube
Dr. William P. Brown is Professor of Old Testament at Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Georgia, where he has taught for over 20 years. He is a leading biblical scholar specializing in Hebrew Bible/Old Testament studies, wisdom literature, and the intersection of faith and critical scholarship. Known for his engaging teaching style and ability to make complex biblical scholarship accessible, Dr. Brown bridges the gap between academic rigor and pastoral formation, showing how critical study of Scripture can deepen rather than diminish faith.
In Sacred Tension: Embracing Dissonance and Dialogue in the Old Testament, popular biblical scholar Bill Brown suggests that the diversity in the Bible is in fact one of its greatest strengths, pointing us toward “more” Bible, not less. He invites us to read the Old Testament as a wide-ranging dialogue that is in conversation both with itself and with us, fostering further discussion and mutual discernment. With passion and expert insight, Brown takes you on an enlivening journey through the Bible, exploring its dissonance and complexity anew. Let the conversations begin! Get 20% off Sacred Tension with promo code HBCST at store.upperroom.org
Upcoming Online Class: Rediscovering the Spirit: Hand-Raisers, Han, & the Holy Ghost is an open-online course exploring the dynamic, often overlooked third person of the Trinity. Based on Grace Ji-Sun Kim's groundbreaking work on the Holy Spirit this class takes participants on a journey through biblical foundations, historical developments, diverse cultural perspectives, and practical applications of Spirit theology.
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