An Introduction to Reading Biblical Wisdom Texts
Digital Logos Edition
Overview
An Introduction to Reading Biblical Wisdom Texts is designed for undergraduate students and laypersons who are studying in confessional contexts that affrm the inspired and authoritative nature of Scripture. By way of introduction, Part One poses fundamental and universal questions that are addressed by the genre of wisdom literature, explores definitions of wisdom and folly from the biblical perspective, describes the characteristics and forms of wisdom poetry, and places Israel’s wisdom tradition in a wider historical-cultural context. Part Two addresses the practical wisdom associated with Proverbs, treating both the contents and the academic questions that arise. Parts Three and Four focus on Ecclesiastes and Job, respectively, and on the interpretive challenges they raise. Finally, Part Five recognizes the place of Song of Songs in the wisdom tradition. Two brief appendices address briefly Ecclesiasticus and the Wisdom of Solomon.
This highly accessible and engagingly written introduction to the Bible’s wisdom literature is built on a strong scholarly foundation but also aims to nurture the reader’s love for God, the source of wisdom and truth, and to help the reader wrestle in the context of his or her own faith journey with the love, fear, doubt, joy, anger, and ecstasy expressed by the biblical writers.
- Investigates the historical and theological contexts for the Bible’s wisdom texts
- Addresses the practical wisdom found in Proverbs
- Recognizes the potential place of Song of Songs in the wisdom tradition
- Part One: Where and How Do We Start?
- Part Two: Practical Wisdom: Proverbs
- Part Three: Coming to Grips with Mortality: Ecclesiastes
- Part Four: Wisdom and Suffering: Job
- Part Five: Wisdom and Love: Song of Songs
Elaine Phillips’ masterpiece on wisdom literature is all of the following: scholarly, practical, thought-provoking, and devotional. In this book, you are invited to look at life from a multifaceted perspective, to seek wisdom above all things, and to examine the intricacies of Proverbs, Job, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Songs. With the integration of ancient Near Eastern literature and recommended readings in each chapter, the book is highly recommended as a textbook for classes on Hebrew poetry and wisdom literature.
—Hélène Dallaire, Earl S. Kalland Professor of Old Testament and Semitic Languages and Director of Messianic Judaism Programs, Denver Seminary
Dr. Phillips’ new book is a welcome addition to the study of the biblical wisdom literature. Her approach to the material reflects a scholar’s careful awareness of the original language and a master teacher’s ability to communicate successfully with both beginning college students and those much more advanced. Her many insights into the complex problems of Proverbs, Job, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Solomon help sort out how the teachings of Torah were applied to everyday issues of living. Each generation of believers faces the same problems. And every generation benefits from recognizing that there is ‘nothing (really) new under the sun.
—G. Lloyd Carr, Emeritus Professor of Biblical Studies, Gordon College
Novices to the wisdom literature will be taken aback to discover this lost treasure that has been in their Bibles all along. An Introduction to Reading Biblical Wisdom Texts is a personal and beautifully written book that invites us back into these essential words of revelation. It is a book about wisdom—and thus a book about work and psychology and suffering and love and sexuality and politics and . . . everything. Page after page Phillips unearths the imaginative, far-reaching, and too often neglected teachings of the ancient Hebrew sages. An invaluable resource that belongs in homes and on scholarly shelves.
—Ryan P. O’Dowd, Pastor of Bread of Life Anglican Church