Daring to Speak in God's Name: Ethical Prophecy in Ministry

Rating:
Summary: What does the Lord require?
Review: Mary Alice Mulligan and Rufus Burrow, Jr. (both professors at my seminary, with whom I have studied in the past few years) collaborated on this book that from the very title presents a challenge to anyone who steps into a pulpit or assumes the role of minister or pastor - who do we think we are, and who are we called to be? To dare to speak in God's name is no small task, but the world calls out for a response to the evil that occurs every day. From the very first chapter, Mulligan and Burrow challenge the church, stating that there is little of what might be considered ethical and prophetic witness in the church today, no real voice and action that takes a stand against great oppression and violence against marginalised and oppressed people. They look at the sociological development and current difficulty both in communal society generally as well as the contemporary church. Part of this comes even from seminaries, where the three-fold call of ministers as pastors, priests and prophets gets squeezed into the practical aspects of pastorate and priesthood, since prophetic witness is both difficult to quantify and (apparently) implement in parish settings.

To this end, this is a practical text. Each chapter ends with a section entitled 'Lessons for Ministry', in which specific ideas and suggestions are given for consideration and work both individual and communal in churches (and ultimately, if anything is to be effective across the church, it must make the jump from being individual to being communal).

The substance of the text is interesting; it will probably not be completely new to any seminary-trained reader (one hopes that the material here was encountered in some form during seminary!), but the hope for the authors is to reinvigorate the call to prophetic ministry in these leaders. For lay leaders and other interested persons, some of the material will likely be new, but it is engaging and accessible - this is no philosophical, systematic theology text, but in many ways a very practical and down-to-earth text (indeed, one of the chapters is even entitled 'A View from Dirt Level').

Burrow has a deep love for Rabbi Heschel, which comes out in his teaching, drawing extensively on his work on the prophets and his interpretation of their meaning for social and ethical action today. Mulligan's interest and passion for the field comes across clearly also, and both Burrow and Mulligan embody elements of the prophetic in their teaching and preaching. They draw on many voices, taking special care to incorporate the voices often overlooked among their sources.

Perhaps the most interesting chapter for me was the fourth chapter, devoted to a special look at the prophet Micah - what does the Lord require? The authors state, 'the words in Micah 6.8 comprise the most profound summary of ethical prophetic ideals in the entire First Testament.' This small verse echoes the same ideals as Isaiah, Amos, Hosea... Micah was writing at a difficult time, and we live in troubled times, keeping the call of Micah ever present and pressing. Micah was no professional theologian or professor, no seminary-trained pastor or even a secular professional - he was a peasant farmer (what we might call today a 'poor dirt farmer') who nonetheless experienced a radical and powerful (and somewhat dangerous) call from God. Being one of the oppressed, he could speak of and for the oppressed in ways that the more privileged and royal castes could not. This is very powerful, and a lesson to take to heart.

The book concludes with an excellent bibliography, a snapshot of available reading in the area of ethical and prophetic ministry, as well as a thorough and useful index. A book to be read by anyone concerned about the church and God's call to them, this would make a great gift for others, and a great gift for oneself, too.