Written to the someone who believes that life under God is useless and meaningless. The writer is a super-cynic, who shows that "life under the sun" (life without God) is meaningless.
We have two options:
- "Life under the Sun" = incoherence, meaningless and absurd
- "Life under God" = life and meaning
Interesting point of interest Ecclesiastes is a commentary on the curse (Genesis 3)
Some take away points:
- Don't be paralyzed by fear (11:1-6)
- Be joyful (11:7-10)
- Be faithful to God (12:1-7)
13 comments:
I came across the new perspective of Paul the other day, what do you think of this theology?
To be honest I have heard about a "new perspective on Paul" but am not sure what the exact differences are on the "old perspective".
Have you looked into this new perspective at all?
I do a fair amount of reading. So I am sure that I have read things that would be considered the "new perspective". However I am not always that interested in putting things into boxes. I find that when things get put into boxes everything gets mixed together. So people will fully embrace the "new perspective" or they will fully reject it. Personally I find that it is more helpful deal with specific topics and issues. This allows me to shift the good from the bad.
I would think putting things in boxes would help to separate things. If someone is completely wrong on one Biblical issue, what makes them trust worthy on another? Heretics and apostates often leave some critical parts out or just give an issue a slight twist. It is extremely hard to catch them on every “error” they make. If we keep reading books by them (ex. Brian McLaren, E.P. Sanders, Rob Bell, and many others), we are likely to accept some of it. This changes everything. I do not know where you stand on all the major issues but, it can change how we view salvation, Israel and the Jews, eschatology, other religions, and many others aspects.
Interesting perspective. Though I have two problems with your view. First, I am sure that I am wrong on at least one biblical issue. I just have no idea what issue, which is why I read, study and discuss things with others. Of course this means I need even read things I disagree with. If I was always right then why on earth would I ever study?
Second, every author I have read I have disagreed about something. This is most likely a reflection of my lack of understanding. But it could be that they are wrong. So if I were to follow your advice I would never be able to read anything that I do not already fully agree with - which turns out to be nothing.
I prefer to study my bible and read a diversity of opinions.
I agree there may be some small biblical issues we will have with others but that is not what I am talking about. I am talking about apostasy and heresy. If a person claiming to be a Christian pastor or teacher is promoting something such as works-based salvation then that person is most definitely a false teacher. You get that wrong, you get the whole gospel wrong. That is what I am talking about and that is what we have to be extremely careful of. Who are the authors whose opinions you prefer to read?
I get what you are saying. There are somethings that are vital and messing with them means that the whole message is off. So we need to be discerning when we listen and read. However I find that Christians can be a little quick with the heresy label. Some people have been labelled as heretics because they challenge our comfortable dogma. Too often I find the Christians do not bother to do the work of actually studying what a person says and examining it to the bible. Rob Bell is a good example. I was surprised at how many people called him a heretic based on his last book "Love wins". They called him a heretic because of this book before it was released. So they had never read it. What did they base their charge on? Then when Rob was accused of not believing in hell I heard him speak and publicly state that he did. People did not believe him. I heard the argument that he was a heretic so he was just lying at this point. As Christians we need to be careful with the labels that put on others.
Who are some good examples of modern day heretics?
I am very hesitant to label anyone with the title heretic. There are some teachings I do view as heresy. For example: Denying that Jesus is lord and God. Elevating money and salvation to ultimate place in salvation (really just using God as a means to achieve the American dream).
Honestly though I am really not that interested in going on a witch hunt.
Do you agree with Rob Bell's stance on homosexual marriage?
No idea what his stance is.
You should drop by the office or give me a call and we talk more about this if you want.
Here is what Rob says.
http://www.christianpost.com/news/rob-bell-on-gay-marriage-support-god-pulling-us-ahead-to-affirm-gay-brothers-sisters-92395/
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