Ecclesiastes and Song of Songs have always presented particular challenges to their readers, especially if those readers are seeking to understand them as part of Christian Scripture.
This commentary sets out to wrestle honestly with all the challenges of reading these biblical books--the challenges of reading the texts in themselves, and the challenges of reading them as intrinsic parts of Christian Scripture. Using the standard structure of the NIVAC series, it explores their 'original meaning,' the 'bridging contexts' that enable their journey to the present, and their 'contemporary significance.' In the course of the exploration, these books are seen to be deeply relevant in what they have to say both to the contemporary church and the contemporary culture.
This commentary sets out to wrestle honestly with all the challenges of reading these biblical books--the challenges of reading the texts in themselves, and the challenges of reading them as intrinsic parts of Christian Scripture. Using the standard structure of the NIVAC series, it explores their 'original meaning,' the 'bridging contexts' that enable their journey to the present, and their 'contemporary significance.' In the course of the exploration, these books are seen to be deeply relevant in what they have to say both to the contemporary church and the contemporary culture.