The Dangerous Christian, a study in Ecclesiastes
Say something about Deconstruction
Koheleth (Davidson), Qohelet (Alter)
This book has been a favorite of artists!
“All is meaningless” begins the strange book of Ecclesiastes. The book continues with questions and doubts, probing the purpose of life (if there is one), accepting no easy answers. Solomon’s questions are thoughtful and dangerous.
This inspired book is not for the complacent. It is for the person who wants to live an examined, wise Christian life. We will spend five weeks touching on the hard questions raised by this book.
I close my eyes only for a moment and the moment’s gone.
All my dreams pass before my eyes a curiosity.
Dust in the wind.
All they are is dust in the wind.
Same old song, just a drop of water in an endless sea.
All we do crumbles to the ground though we refuse to see.
Dust in the wind.
All we are is dust in the wind.
Don’t hang on.
Nothing lasts forever but the earth and sky.
It slips away and all your money won’t another minute buy.
Dust in the wind.
All we are is dust in the wind.
Everything is dust in the wind.
The Dangerous Christian, a study in Ecclesiastes
9:45-10:45, September 15, 1996
On Ecclesiastes 1:1-11:
This is a very “unchristian” view of the world. Why is it here? Before answering that question, I want us to recognize, in some sense, the truth of this view. (If we attempt to “Christianize” Ecclesiastes it will lose its impact.)
How might one respond to this recognition that “all is meaningless”? What are the different paths people take in trying to resolve this problem?
Let me tell you about my vacation this summer... and then play a Harry Chapin song.
The Harry Chapin song, Halfway to Heaven, is about a man at a midpoint, a man who is halfway home and halfway through life, who stops and reconsiders what he is doing. You won’t like his conclusion.
Assignment for next time. Read chapters 1-3.
What illusions do your friends and colleagues pursue? What illusions do you pursue? Come to class next week with at least three illusions you observe people following. (I won’t ask you whether these illusions are yours or those of your friends!)
Review and Remarks:
This book is probably an apologetic, a defense of Judaism! (Tell about the comment of an international student...)
It is important that we not simplify it or attempt to brush it aside. It is a hard book; there must be something important to learn from it. (Tell about the wino’s accusation...)
Do you believe in the importance of air?
Let’s talk about illusions we have and that we live under.
For next time:
Read chapters 4 - 6. At the end of chapter 3 and chapter 4, Solomon talks about evil and oppression.
Discussion questions for next time:
How does evil contribute to our discussion about the purpose of life?
We thank God for good things. Should we thank him for bad things?
For next time
Read chapters 7-9.
Discussion questions:
What do your friends and colleagues think is the meaning of life? (Ask them!)
Solomon claims “there is nothing new under the sun,” and “what has been will be again” (1:9). In what ways do things change? In what ways do they stay the same?
Discussion questions:
1. What do your friends and colleagues think is the meaning of life?
2. Solomon claims “there is nothing new under the sun,” and “what has been will be again” (1:9). In what ways do things change? In what ways do they stay the same?
Discussion questions:
1. What do your friends and colleagues think is the meaning of life?
2. Solomon claims “there is nothing new under the sun,” and “what has been will be again” (1:9). In what ways do things change? In what ways do they stay the same?
Let’s look at the following passages:
Ecclesiastes 8:15-17
9:1-3
9:4-6
9:7-12
9:13-18
3. Is it better to be wise, or not? Why does Solomon appear to run down wisdom?
4. What are the advantages of thinking about death and chance?
Let’s read James 4:13-16
Next time: Read chapters 10-12. What is the conclusion of the book? (We will finally come up for air! And I have an upbeat song to play for you.)
1. What is the conclusion of the book?
2. One of the wisest things one can say is “ _ D O N’ T _ _ _ _ “
3. Why don’t we understand God? (What is it we really expect of God?)
There is something deeper here than merely the meaning of life. Think of all the passages in the Bible which say something like: “You see ... but God sees...”. Examples: The anointing of David (I Samuel 16:7), Elisha’s vision of a great army (II Kings 6:16,17), Paul’s statement’s about the mind of God and the foolishness of earthly wisdom in I Corinthians 2, ...
4. Should Christians be risk-takers?
Thank You
by Ray Boltz (from the album of the same title)
I dreamed I went to heaven and you were there with me.
We walked upon the streets of gold beside the crystal sea.
We heard the angels singing, then someone called your name.
You turned and saw this young man and he was smiling as he came.
And he said, “Friend, you may not know me now,” and then he said, “But wait,
You used to teach my Sunday School, when I was only eight.
And every week you would say a prayer before the class would start
and one day when you said that prayer, I asked Jesus in my heart.”
“Thank you for giving to the Lord;
I am a life that was changed.
Thank you for giving to the Lord;
I am so glad you gave.”
Then another man stood before you, he said, “Remember the time
a missionary came to your church, his pictures made you cry.
You didn’t have much money but you gave it anyway.
Jesus took the gift you gave and that’s why I’m here today.”
“Thank you for giving to the Lord;
I am a life that was changed.
Thank you for giving to the Lord;
I am so glad you gave.”
One by one they came far as the eye could see,
each life somehow touched by your generosity
Little things that you had done, sacrifices made,
unnoticed on the earth, in heaven now proclaimed.
I know up in heaven you are not supposed to cry.
I am almost sure there were tears in your eyes
as Jesus took your hand and you stood before the Lord;
He said, “My child, look around you, for great is your reward.”
“Thank you for giving to the Lord;
I am a life that was changed.
Thank you for giving to the Lord;
I am so glad you gave.”
=== Extra (repeated?)
More on evil and oppression:
Ecclesiastes 5:8-17
If you see the poor oppressed in a district, and justice and rights denied, do not be surprised at such things; for one official is eyed by a higher one, and over them both are others higher still. The increase from the land is taken by all; the king himself profits from the fields.
Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless. As goods increase, so do those who consume them. And what benefit are they to the owner except to feast his eyes on them?
The sleep of a laborer is sweet, whether he eats little or much, but the abundance of a rich man permits him no sleep. I have seen a grievous evil under the sun: wealth hoarded to the harm of its owner, or wealth lost through some misfortune, so that when he has a son there is nothing left for him.
Naked a man comes from his mother's womb, and as he comes, so he departs. He takes nothing from his labor that he can carry in his hand. This too is a grievous evil: As a man comes, so he departs, and what does he gain, since he toils for the wind? All his days he eats in darkness, with great frustration, affliction and anger.
Ecclesiastes 7:13-14
Consider what God has done: Who can straighten what he has made crooked?
When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider: God has made the one as well as the other. Therefore, a man cannot discover anything about his future.
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