on ecclesiastes
This is the fifth time I am teaching a study for the large womens' bible study group at our church. I have taught studies on Philippians, 1 Timothy, prayer, and Colossians. And now I am teaching a study on Ecclesiastes - and it is by FAR the toughest one I've done (and that's saying something, if you've read 1 Timothy 2!!)
I think it's harder because:
1) it's in the Old Testament.
So work is needed to show how this ancient Hebrew document applies to modern Christians. It takes work to preach the Old Testament so that you are faithful to the text itself (and not just using it as a springboard for another NT based talk), but yet are teaching it in a way which is consistent with and points towards the truth about Jesus.
2) it's 'Wisdom literature'
In other words, it's meant to be grappling with the mysteries of life, ponderances about better and worse ways to make choices etc. Such musings are nuanced and situational in their application - yet are still TRUTH. It's hard to find that balance.
3) it's poetry.
Poetry is not my strong suit. Never was. But Ecclesiastes is written in poetry, and as one commentator has written - the form suits the content - because some things (like wisdom literature) are better mulled over in verse. Deliberating about the nature of life works better in poetry than trying to reduce it to a series of always-true propositional statements. Yet the task of the teacher is to teach in PROSE. I have to make propositional statements ABOUT the poetry which retain the truth without overstating it. Yikes.
4) it's hard-hitting and cynical.
The message of Ecclesiastes, no matter which way you look at it, is not only hard to understand but also hard to accept. It is a challenge to work out where to put comments like "everything is meaningless" and musings on how we are like animals - we all just die and return to the ground so everything is pointless... it's hard to figure out how to mesh that with other, true things the bible teaches.
Having said all this, I am also really enjoying Ecclesiastes. I still have a few weeks to go, but thus far I think it's because:
1) there's no candy floss. (that's cotton candy, to my US friends)
I find it so refreshing to read something that is 100% biblical and 0% sentimental. So much of the Christian faith contains hopeful, wonderful truths - but those can be laminated and polished so much sometimes that it's hard to see how real life sometimes matches up. I love that Ecclesiastes says you can be a believer and still sigh, get discouraged, throw your hands in the air, and look suffering in the face. There are so many times in my life when I have NEEDED a faith which can accommodate the yuckness of life. Ecclesiastes does that.
2) I get to listen to great preachers.
I'm reading some great commentaries, and listening to sermons which are so good and so stretching. I think Mark Driscoll's series on Ecclesiastes (find it at marshillchurch.org) is particularly excellent. Hilarious. Hard-hitting. Just excellent.
3) It puts my hearts' yearnings into perspective.
Ecclesiastes is a constant reminder to my heart not to crave the things that cannot and will not last. There are many good things in life: holidays, children, homes, laughter, fulfilling work, sex, gardens... and more. But those things are all created by God. Creations. And as such - we won't find meaning in them if pursued by themselves. However, if enjoyed as gifts from the Creator - the trap of meaninglessness is avoided and joy can be enjoyed for what it is: joy. Without it needing to define us. As I spend my days raising children, it's good to remember to enjoy my chidlren as gifts, and not to NEED them to make my life worthwhile. It's good to remember that God's lesson to me regarding the good things in life is the same as what I'm trying to teach Teg: the right response to getting something good is not "more more". It's "thank you".
Saying "more more" leave me feeling empty. Saying "thank you" makes me realise I am satisfied.
That makes the hard work worthwhile, don't you think?
I think it's harder because:
1) it's in the Old Testament.
So work is needed to show how this ancient Hebrew document applies to modern Christians. It takes work to preach the Old Testament so that you are faithful to the text itself (and not just using it as a springboard for another NT based talk), but yet are teaching it in a way which is consistent with and points towards the truth about Jesus.
2) it's 'Wisdom literature'
In other words, it's meant to be grappling with the mysteries of life, ponderances about better and worse ways to make choices etc. Such musings are nuanced and situational in their application - yet are still TRUTH. It's hard to find that balance.
3) it's poetry.
Poetry is not my strong suit. Never was. But Ecclesiastes is written in poetry, and as one commentator has written - the form suits the content - because some things (like wisdom literature) are better mulled over in verse. Deliberating about the nature of life works better in poetry than trying to reduce it to a series of always-true propositional statements. Yet the task of the teacher is to teach in PROSE. I have to make propositional statements ABOUT the poetry which retain the truth without overstating it. Yikes.
4) it's hard-hitting and cynical.
The message of Ecclesiastes, no matter which way you look at it, is not only hard to understand but also hard to accept. It is a challenge to work out where to put comments like "everything is meaningless" and musings on how we are like animals - we all just die and return to the ground so everything is pointless... it's hard to figure out how to mesh that with other, true things the bible teaches.
Having said all this, I am also really enjoying Ecclesiastes. I still have a few weeks to go, but thus far I think it's because:
1) there's no candy floss. (that's cotton candy, to my US friends)
I find it so refreshing to read something that is 100% biblical and 0% sentimental. So much of the Christian faith contains hopeful, wonderful truths - but those can be laminated and polished so much sometimes that it's hard to see how real life sometimes matches up. I love that Ecclesiastes says you can be a believer and still sigh, get discouraged, throw your hands in the air, and look suffering in the face. There are so many times in my life when I have NEEDED a faith which can accommodate the yuckness of life. Ecclesiastes does that.
2) I get to listen to great preachers.
I'm reading some great commentaries, and listening to sermons which are so good and so stretching. I think Mark Driscoll's series on Ecclesiastes (find it at marshillchurch.org) is particularly excellent. Hilarious. Hard-hitting. Just excellent.
3) It puts my hearts' yearnings into perspective.
Ecclesiastes is a constant reminder to my heart not to crave the things that cannot and will not last. There are many good things in life: holidays, children, homes, laughter, fulfilling work, sex, gardens... and more. But those things are all created by God. Creations. And as such - we won't find meaning in them if pursued by themselves. However, if enjoyed as gifts from the Creator - the trap of meaninglessness is avoided and joy can be enjoyed for what it is: joy. Without it needing to define us. As I spend my days raising children, it's good to remember to enjoy my chidlren as gifts, and not to NEED them to make my life worthwhile. It's good to remember that God's lesson to me regarding the good things in life is the same as what I'm trying to teach Teg: the right response to getting something good is not "more more". It's "thank you".
Saying "more more" leave me feeling empty. Saying "thank you" makes me realise I am satisfied.
That makes the hard work worthwhile, don't you think?
posted by Bronwyn at 9:35 pm
3 Comments:
"100% bibilical and 0% sentimental"
I love that.
"Hard-hitting and cynical" for sure!
I remember being in a bible study when we were studying Ecclesiastes, and it WAS difficult, both for the leader and the members.
I am glad you are enjoying it though! Keep up the good work, Bronwyn!
Amen sister. Thanks for the poem! K
Post a Comment
<< Home