Review of Ecclesiastes Lamentations NBBC Stephen J. Bennett

My commentary has been reviewed by "James".
See the review and preview of the book at the website:
http://www.christianbook.com/ecclesiastes-lamentations-commentary-the-wesleyan-tradition/stephen-bennett/9780834125148/pd/125148?event=BB&bookbag=1&item_code=WW#ask_and_answer

The preview is four pages plus the table of contents.

5 out of 5

Ecclesiastes/ Lamentations: Excellent!

Date:May 4, 2011

James

(read all my reviews)

Location:New City, NY

Age:35-44

Gender:male

Quality:

5 out of 5

Value:

5 out of 5

Meets Expectations:

5 out of 5

Ecclesiastes/Lamentations by Stephen J. Bennett is an insightful scholarly commentary on the books of Ecclesiastes and Lamentations. Bennett helps the reader understand the deeper themes and interpretations of the respective books while bringing the applications of these ancient texts into today’s world. Bennett sets out to “present a viable (and hopefully helpful) interpretation of Ecclesiastes, while also including some of the diversity of interpretation that has gone before.” Dr. Bennett does just that. The section on Lamentations is extremely rich with information and full of impactful and relevant interpretation. This is an excellent work.
The theological themes are clearly defined and Bennett gives much insight to the text. He makes scholarly arguments that place the respective scriptures in their proper time periods and audience through the use of vocabulary and language; he addresses occasion and purpose; social and cultural issues; textual history and composition in a most impressive way. The book lends itself to the reader as a treasure trove as these wisdom books are not always easy to interpret.

I don't want to be rich, I want to be happy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTv24sSNXHc
Raul Midon, "State of Mind"
Ecclesiastes 5:10, Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income.
Ecclesiastes 4:8, There was no end to his toil, yet his eyes were not content with his wealth.

Ecclesiastes 11:8, However many years a man may live, let him enjoy them all.

Grinding in Eccl 12:3-4

"The grinders are few" (Ecclesiastes 12:3). Are they teeth? Or women grinding grain? I will be presenting a paper on this at the regional Society of Biblical Literature, New Brunswick, New Jersey, March 17, 2011 (3:15 pm). http://sbl-site.org/assets/pdfs/2011MARprogram.pdf

Under the sun = above ground

"Every day above ground is a good one." The message on this church sign resonates with the common phrase in Ecclesiastes, "under the sun" which basically means that live humans are in view, not God and not dead people. It also fits with Qoheleth's repeated advice to enjoy life.

Upcoming conferences...

Two conferences:
"The Bible Tells Me So" at NNU in Idaho, Feb 10-12, 2011; and
"The City in the Hebrew Bible" at Cambridge University, April 6-8, 2011.
Dr. Bennett will be presenting papers at both, and each conference will publish a book of papers presented.

Ecclesiastes exhibition, Royal Academy

an exhibition currently (and until 9th January) showing at London's
Royal Academy: No New Thing Under the Sun. The blurb says: "Based on
themes including time, transience, human vanity, death and the grandeur
of life, the exhibition will combine a number of pieces from the Royal
Academy collection with work by contemporary artists. Visitors will be
able to see drawings, prints, photographs, paintings, sculptures and
other works that offer a response to Ecclesiastes and evoke the book's
mood."

http://royalacademy.org.uk/exhibitions/the-tennant-gallery/

New book arrives!

I just got a copy of my new book, directly from the publisher. It is finally in print!

http://www.nph.com/nphweb/html/nph/search.jsp?sTitle=1&sContrib=1&sTopic=1&sGenus=1&sItemId=1&sSeries=1