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Ecclesiastes is the Bible's fun book because it's chock full of normal thinking
instead of religious dogma. Ecclesiastes requires very little interpretation as
anybody who's been around the block a time or two can easily relate to its
thoughts.
Solomon composed his comments from the perspective of a philosophical
man who's understanding of life and the hereafter is moderated by empirical
evidence and the normal round of human experience. It's a handy book of
the Bible for showing that not all religious people are kooks with their heads
in the clouds and unable to see things as they are through the eyes of
normal people.
Just a word of caution: According to Matt 12:42, Luke 11:31, John 1:1-14,
and Col 2:3; Christ trumps Solomon, so beware of using proof texts from
Ecclesiastes to refute, moderate, and/or water down Christ's teachings
related to the afterlife.
In addition: Christ is the voice of God (John 3:34, John 8:26, John 8:28,
John 12:49, John 14:24) whereas there is not the slightest textual evidence
in the book of Ecclesiastes that Solomon was anybody's voice but his own
when he wrote it.
To my knowledge, Solomon had never seen the afterlife for himself, viz: he
wasn't an expert witness; whereas Christ had seen the afterlife for himself
and knew what he was talking about.
• John 3:31-32 . . He who comes from above is above all, he who is of the
earth is from the earth and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven
is above all. What He has seen and heard, of that he bears witness.
Christ is also highly recommended, whereas to my knowledge, Solomon
isn't.
• Matt 17:5 . . This is my Son, the beloved, whom I have approved; listen to
him.
So then, when encountering remarks in the book of Ecclesiastes that are out
of step with Christ's teachings in the New Testament; my unsolicited
spiritual counseling is to ignore Solomon and go with the wisdom of "my
Son".
• John 8:12 . . I am the light of the world. He that follows me will by no
means walk in darkness, but will possess the light of life.
FAQ: Doesn't the apostle Paul say that all Scripture is God breathed?
REPLY: There is a difference between inspiration and dictation.
Solomon was no doubt inspired to record his personal world view in the Bible,
but we shouldn't assume his world view quotes God word for-word the way
Christ does.
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