Ecclesiastes: what some other people reckon

These aren't the perspectives that I promised would be analysed in detail, but just some summaries from commentators.

St Jerome (c. 347 – 420)

Saw the book as a call to embrace the ascetic life in order to escape the vanities of this world. Strangely, he also says "the Hebrews says that ... this book ought to be obliterated, because it asserts that all the creatures of God are vain, and regards the whole thing as nothing, and prefers eating and drinking and transient pleasures before all things." Weird

Crenshaw (1987)

"life is profitless; totally absurd. The world is meaningless. Virtue doesn't bring reward. The deity stands distant, abandoning humanity to chance and death."

Ogden (1987)

"The book's thesis ... is that life under God must be taken and enjoyed in all its mystery."

Like any of these? Why not?

Ecclesiastes: what do you reckon?

Over the next few weeks I'm going to post a few thoughts on Ecclesiastes. Particularly, I'll be using two or three different approaches from different commentators and seeing how they hold up. Which has the best explanatory power for the material found in a book at once so easy to relate to and at the same time so difficult to understand?

I've found Ecclesiastes to have be far better represented in the 'favourite book of the Bible' stakes than the 1/66 chance which probability would afford it. In fact, I've heard more people quote it as their favourite than any other. And all have a strong opinion on its message. And most of them conflicting.

Thus it will be interesting, not to claim to know the answer, but to post thoughts to provoke those who're interested in this multi-faceted book.

So, to kick off, what do you think is the main point of the Teacher?

Ecclesiastes: THE book about faith in the Old Testament?

Just reading Jeffrey Meyers' commentary on Ecclesiastes, and loved this quote.

Life in itself is unable to supply the key to the questions of identity, meaning, purpose, value and destiny. Only God holds the key, and he must be trusted with it. He does not make copies of the key for us to use. You do not get to keep God's key in your back pocket. Sooner or later, if you are a believer, you are going to have to actually trust God to keep the key of life.

Love that bit about no copies. Beautiful.

Thoughts from the floor: Ecclesiastes

How does Ecclesiastes speak to you? What bits in it make you think, "That is SO it. This guy understands."? Any favourite bits, especially those which relate to a particular frustration/joy/aspect of real life?

Writing a Bible talk here people, need your help body of Christ.

A New Perspective

Can I just say that there is nothing better than when God convinces you of how good he has been towards you? I have an amazing life, absolutely and truly blessed. Yet, despite this, it is very easy to be down on myself, my life and my future.

Having had a morning of being encouraged with thoughts in my head from God about being appreciative instead of negative and worrying, my tops little wifey read out some great stuff from Ecclesiastes to me while driving to college.

It's great, because this kind of godliness helps me go forward and serve others by taking me a little more away from my own little world. Another blessing.