There is no easy answer to the meaning of life--even when you believe
in God.
The book of Ecclesiastes seeks to answer the question: "What do people
gain from all their labors at which they toil under the sun?" The book's
central character is Qoheleth, who wants to understand the meaning of
life as far as he possibly can with the tools of his own empirical
observation and reason. He struggles to reconcile the beautiful world
that we love and enjoy with the baffling world of injustice, suffering,
and death. Qoheleth circles around an abyss of nihilism and pessimism.
He lives with unanswered questions. Yet he remains a believer.
Old Testament scholar Christopher J. H. Wright invites you to join
Qoheleth on a journey through wisdom literature from centuries ago,
because the message of Ecclesiastes can be strangely reassuring as we
put our faith to the test in today's post-modern era. There will be
disorienting twists and turns and the occasional complete impasse as
complex topics are discussed, like:
- The meaning of life
- Mysteries of time and injustice
- Ambiguities of work, politics, worship, and wealth
Hearing the Message of Ecclesiastes won't answer your questions about
the meaning of life, but it will ultimately help you live in the tension
of God's gifts in Genesis 1-2 and the fallen world of Genesis 3--and
still go on trusting in the sovereign goodness of God.
