A01=Brian Neil Peterson
Author_Brian Neil Peterson
Category=QRJ
Category=QRJF1
Category=QRM
Category=QRMF12
Category=QRVC
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eq_isMigrated=2
eq_nobargain
optimism in ecclesiastes
optimistic wisdom instruction
pessimism versus hope
Qoheleth
wisdom and ecclesiastes
wisdom and hope
wisdom and joy
Product details
- ISBN 9781978703995
- Weight: 522g
- Dimensions: 161 x 227mm
- Publication Date: 18 Oct 2019
- Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
- Publication City/Country: US
- Product Form: Hardback
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Pessimist! Hedonist! Skeptic! Fatalist! Scholars have used these and a variety of other pejoratives to describe Qoheleth, the author of the book of Ecclesiastes. But are these monikers fair assessments of this formative book of the Hebrew wisdom tradition? Brian Neil Peterson challenges this dominant scholarly perspective by arguing that Qoheleth’s message is more optimistic than it appears. He insists that Qoheleth—a realist who recognizes that the world is broken due to the Fall in Genesis 3—is instructing his readers to live life to the fullest in the fear of God despite the presence of injustice, oppression, and futility experienced on a daily basis. Due to the fleeting nature of life, Qoheleth offers hope to his readers and urges them to put God first and enjoy God’s good gifts, not as a destination in life, but rather as part of one’s earthly journey.
Brian Neil Peterson is associate professor of the Hebrew Bible at Lee University.
