What the hell is it all about
What the Hell Does it all Mean? Humans differ from any other species on the earth. Our superior brain gives us a tremendous reasoning capacity that probes the depths of human existence. This intellect is closely intertwined with our spirituality, our immaterial part that seeks answers from something beyond ourselves. Throughout the history of human existence, God worked to reveal himself to and develop a relationship with his people, the pinnacle of his creation. The Old Testament chronicles the story of God’s people, the Israelites. God chose these people to reveal himself to all nations. The Bible chronicles this story as well as writings that came out of this time period. A section of these writings is known as Wisdom Literature from which comes the book of Ecclesiastes. Many have debated the value of including Ecclesiastes in the canon because of its apparent godlessness.
Nonetheless, after evaluating the book, Peter Kreeft in his book Three Philosophies of Life, calls
Ecclesiastes “the great of all books of philosophy” (15). The content, logic, and personality of Ecclesiastes verifies this claim. First of all we need to define “philosophy.” Often, just the word conjures up images of old, robed men stroking their flowing white beards and contemplating deep questions. We also may think of universities where professors and students hold seminars and debates. Most nonintellectuals probably cringe at the mention of the word because of these very images. Even the various dictionaries strongly associate philosophy with the academic world. The New Oxford American Dictionary defines “philosophy” as “the study of the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality, and existence, esp. when considered as an academic discipline”. The etymology also connotes “philosophy as a lofty intellectual term; the word originates from the Greek word “philosophia” which means the “love of wisdom”. One definition from the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, however, reveals
Nonetheless, after evaluating the book, Peter Kreeft in his book Three Philosophies of Life, calls
Ecclesiastes “the great of all books of philosophy” (15). The content, logic, and personality of Ecclesiastes verifies this claim. First of all we need to define “philosophy.” Often, just the word conjures up images of old, robed men stroking their flowing white beards and contemplating deep questions. We also may think of universities where professors and students hold seminars and debates. Most nonintellectuals probably cringe at the mention of the word because of these very images. Even the various dictionaries strongly associate philosophy with the academic world. The New Oxford American Dictionary defines “philosophy” as “the study of the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality, and existence, esp. when considered as an academic discipline”. The etymology also connotes “philosophy as a lofty intellectual term; the word originates from the Greek word “philosophia” which means the “love of wisdom”. One definition from the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, however, reveals
Cited: Holy Bible: English Standard Version. Wheaton: Crossway Bibles, 2013. Kreeft, Peter. Three Philosophies of Life. San Fransico: Ignatius, 1989. “Philosophy.” Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. 2013. Merriam-Webster Online. 20 November 2008 . “Philosophy.” New Oxford American Dictionary. 2nd ed. 2001.