Under the Sun: Life and Reality in the Book of Kohelet (Das Alte Testament im Dialog / An Outline of an Old Testament Dialogue)

✍ Scribed by Shamai Gelander

• Publisher: Peter Lang AG, Internationaler Verlag der Wissenschaften
• Year: 2018
• Tongue: English
• Leaves: 153
• Edition: New
• Category: Library

✦ Synopsis

This book presents the Book of Ecclesiastes as a single coherent work, whose ideas are consistent and collectively form a comprehensive worldview. Moreover, in contrast to the prevailing view in the research literature – it presents the Book of Ecclesiastes as a work with an essentially positive outlook: Kohelet’s fault-finding is aimed not at the world itself, or how it functions, but at the people who persist in missing out on the present, on what it has to offer, and of the ability to enjoy all that exists and is available. Contrasting with these are Koheleth’s positive perscriptions to make the most of the present. To my mind, his remonstrations are meant to «clear the way» for his positive recommendations – to clear the path, as it were, of the obstacles to accepting reality. These two aspects, the negative and the positive, come together in this investigation into Koheleth’s belief, which is founded on an acceptance of all that God has created.

✦ Table of Contents

Cover
Table of contents
Introduction
Chapter 1: Escaping from reality
Escape to the future
On the attempts at insuring against future mishaps
On the acquisition of skills, traits, and excellence
Against distinction and in praise of the average
The relative nature of values
Absolute justice versus existing world order
Other aspects of coming to terms with realities and limitations
Escaping to the past
Interim summary
Chapter 2: The positive aspect
Eat and drink: Between despair and faith
Cast Thy Bread
Between determinism and free will
Concluding observations
Chapter 3:Koheleth and his beliefs
On justice and injustice
Koheleth and his God
Interim summary
Chapter 4: The opening verses and coda
Opening verses (Eccles. 1)
Coda (12:1–8)
Conclusion
Epilogue: The structure of the Book of Ecclesiastes
Bibliography
Abbreviations: Translations, magazines, series and files