Board index ‹ Specific Bible verses, texts, and passages ‹ Ecclesiastes

[Shawn]

How do you feel about Ecclesiastes? Pessimism or deep truth?

[jimwalton]

I don't see why I have to choose between the two. Sometimes the deep truth is that life is hard and finding worth is a real struggle. The author sorts through the common emptinesses of life (wealth, pleasure, etc.) but finds a few gems along the way (work, integrity, relationships). He helps us discern what should be de-valued (the stuff that leads to pessimism) and what leads us to deep truth.

The book falls in the category of ancient wisdom literature and an openness to the goods and bads that life offers and how to develop a healthy natural theology (life in the real world as opposed to one just in the ivory tower). The natural world by itself can lead to both pessimism and only a partial knowledge of God. Ancient wisdom literature shows us that by correct orientation and objective observations we can find the true wisdom in life:

• Life has plenty of elements that are dead ends. We think they will lead to joy, but they're ultimately fruitless.
• Fear God
• Separate the worthy from the unworthy, and recognize the good things in life as gifts from God.
• Remember that we are accountable for the decisions we make