Ecclesiastes and the Meaning of Life in the Ancient World

Ecclesiastes and the Meaning of Life in the Ancient World PDF Author: Arthur Jan Keefer
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781009110082
Category : RELIGION
Languages : en
Pages :

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Book Description
"In this book, Arthur Keefer offers a timely assessment of Ecclesiastes and what it has to do with the meaning of life. Drawing on recent psychological research, he argues that this Hebrew Bible text associates the meaning of life with various types of suffering in life. Keefer here situates Ecclesiastes within its ancient intellectual world. Offering an analysis of contemporary texts from Egypt, Mesopotamia, Greece, he demonstrates that concerns about meaning and suffering were widespread in the greater Mediterranean world. Ecclesiastes, however, handled the matters of suffering and meaning in an unprecedented way and to an unprecedented degree. With its rigorous commitment to precise definitions of life's meaning, Keefer's book provides a comprehensive set of definitions for "the meaning of life" as well as a conclusive point of reference for interpreters of Ecclesiastes. It also opens avenues for the interdisciplinary interpretation of texts from the ancient world"--

Ecclesiastes and the Meaning of Life in the Ancient World

Ecclesiastes and the Meaning of Life in the Ancient World PDF Author: Arthur Jan Keefer
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781009110082
Category : RELIGION
Languages : en
Pages :

Get Book

Book Description
"In this book, Arthur Keefer offers a timely assessment of Ecclesiastes and what it has to do with the meaning of life. Drawing on recent psychological research, he argues that this Hebrew Bible text associates the meaning of life with various types of suffering in life. Keefer here situates Ecclesiastes within its ancient intellectual world. Offering an analysis of contemporary texts from Egypt, Mesopotamia, Greece, he demonstrates that concerns about meaning and suffering were widespread in the greater Mediterranean world. Ecclesiastes, however, handled the matters of suffering and meaning in an unprecedented way and to an unprecedented degree. With its rigorous commitment to precise definitions of life's meaning, Keefer's book provides a comprehensive set of definitions for "the meaning of life" as well as a conclusive point of reference for interpreters of Ecclesiastes. It also opens avenues for the interdisciplinary interpretation of texts from the ancient world"--

Ecclesiastes and the Meaning of Life in the Ancient World

Ecclesiastes and the Meaning of Life in the Ancient World PDF Author: Arthur Jan Keefer
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781009112079
Category : RELIGION
Languages : en
Pages :

Get Book

Book Description
"In this book, Arthur Keefer offers a timely assessment of Ecclesiastes and what it has to do with the meaning of life. Drawing on recent psychological research, he argues that this Hebrew Bible text associates the meaning of life with various types of suffering in life. Keefer here situates Ecclesiastes within its ancient intellectual world. Offering an analysis of contemporary texts from Egypt, Mesopotamia, Greece, he demonstrates that concerns about meaning and suffering were widespread in the greater Mediterranean world. Ecclesiastes, however, handled the matters of suffering and meaning in an unprecedented way and to an unprecedented degree. With its rigorous commitment to precise definitions of life's meaning, Keefer's book provides a comprehensive set of definitions for "the meaning of life" as well as a conclusive point of reference for interpreters of Ecclesiastes. It also opens avenues for the interdisciplinary interpretation of texts from the ancient world"--

Ecclesiastes and the Meaning of Life in the Ancient World

Ecclesiastes and the Meaning of Life in the Ancient World PDF Author: Arthur Keefer
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 1009100254
Category : Bibles
Languages : en
Pages : 261

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Book Description
Offers an interdisciplinary interpretation of Ecclesiastes based on psychological research and a wide-ranging context of ancient literature.

Ecclesiastes, Or, The Preacher

Ecclesiastes, Or, The Preacher PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781875847860
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 52

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Book Description


Ecclesiastes

Ecclesiastes PDF Author: John Goldingay
Publisher: Wipf and Stock Publishers
ISBN: 1725273160
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 338

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Book Description
Ecclesiastes is the most surprising book in the Scriptures. It challenges its readers to reconsider what they think life is about and how far it is possible to understand God’s involvement in the world. This commentary seeks to help people enter the world of Ecclesiastes and see how it can increase their understanding of God and of themselves.

Ecclesiastes and the Search for Meaning in an Upside-Down World

Ecclesiastes and the Search for Meaning in an Upside-Down World PDF Author: Russell L. Meek
Publisher: Hendrickson Publishers
ISBN: 1683074165
Category : Bible
Languages : en
Pages : 80

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Book Description
This unique book combines memoir, exegesis, and theological reflection to demonstrate the ongoing significance of the book of Ecclesiastes to the Christian life in the twenty-first century. Through exegesis of Old Testament passages and theological reflections on Ecclesiastes, the author deals with issues of abuse, trauma, and forgiveness. For thousands of years, God's grace and glory have been shining in the stories and poems of broken people: the Psalms give voice to our darkest moments of pain and anger, showing us that God welcomes our rawest emotions; Ecclesiastes and Job help us confront suffering and injustice in life; and the failures of Noah, Jacob, and David help keep us tethered to the God of the Bible. These stories and poems still speak to the brokenness of humans today, beckoning us into the arms of the God who made us and loves us even though we too are riddled with sin, hurt, and a longing to be loved. By working through the book of Ecclesiastes, we can let the Teacher's words seep into our hearts and shape our understanding of who God is and how he helps us navigate this upside-down world. This short and engaging book enables us to see how one part of the Old Testament--Ecclesiastes--can help us navigate a world in which things do not always turn out as they should.

What the Bible is All About Visual Edition

What the Bible is All About Visual Edition PDF Author: Henrietta C. Mears
Publisher: Gospel Light Publications
ISBN: 9780830743292
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 456

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Book Description
With more than 500 full-color photos, illustrations, maps and charts, What the Bible Is All About® is the most interesting and user-friendly Bible handbook ever! A perfect introduction to the Bible for new believers, yet this valuable resource is comprehensive enough for pastors, Sunday School teachers and seminary students. You will appreciate the easy-to-use, visually engaging format as you witness the Bible unfold before your eyes. Discover What the Bible Is All About®—the world’s best-selling Bible handbook!

Holy Bible (NIV)

Holy Bible (NIV) PDF Author: Various Authors,
Publisher: Zondervan
ISBN: 0310294142
Category : Bibles
Languages : en
Pages : 6637

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Book Description
The NIV is the world's best-selling modern translation, with over 150 million copies in print since its first full publication in 1978. This highly accurate and smooth-reading version of the Bible in modern English has the largest library of printed and electronic support material of any modern translation.

A Time to Tear Down and a Time to Build Up

A Time to Tear Down and a Time to Build Up PDF Author: Michael V. Fox
Publisher: Wipf and Stock Publishers
ISBN: 1608994961
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 440

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Book Description
Pervaded as it is with pessimism, paradox, and a multitude of contradictions, Ecclesiastes has long been one of the most difficult books of the Bible to understand. As this study demonstrates, however, it is precisely these contradictions that make Ecclesiastes so meaningful and so powerfully relevant to life in the world. By looking carefully at the language and thought of Ecclesiastes, as well as at its uses of contradictions in probing the meaning of life, Fox confronts the problems that have confounded interpretation of this biblical book. He shows that by using contradiction to tear down holistic claims of meaning and purpose in the world and rebuilding meaning in a local, restricted sense instead, the author of Ecclesiastes shapes a bold, honest-and ultimately uplifting-vision of life. Based on solid scholarly insight yet readable by all, Fox's work provides some of the best commentary available on this challenging section of Scripture.

Three Philosophies of Life

Three Philosophies of Life PDF Author: Peter Kreeft
Publisher: Ignatius Press
ISBN: 1681495910
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 144

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Book Description
"I've been a philosopher for all my adult life and the three most profound books of philosophy that I have ever read are Ecclesiastes, Job, and Song of Songs." These are the opening lines of Kreeft's Three Philosophies of Life. He reflects that there are ultimately only three philosophies of life and each one is represented by one of these books of the Bible-life is vanity; life is suffering; life is love. In these three books Kreeft shows how we have Dante's great epic The Divine Comedy played out, from Hell to Purgatory to Heaven. But it is an epic played out in our hearts and lives, here and now. Just as there is movement in Dante's epic, so there is movement in these books, from Ecclesiates to Job, from Job to Song of Songs. Love is the final answer to Ecclesiastes' quest, the alternative to vanity, and the true meaning of life. Finally, Kreeft sees in these books the epitome of theological virtues of faith, hope and love and "an esstential summary of the spiritual history of the world".