Have you ever tried something just to try it? Maybe you wanted to see what it was like or what effect it had on you, and by doing so, learn if you’d ever want to try it again - like bungee jumping or eating escargot. That’s the approach the author of Ecclesiastes takes toward pleasure. He tried everything: drinking and imprudence, building estates, amassing wealth, licentious relationships. In the end, he found none of these desires delightful. But the maturing Christian can learn from this teacher’s experiment with pleasure and follow God’s path instead.
The Transience of Hedonism
July 31, 2022 • Jon Morales • Ecclesiastes 2:1–11
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Ecclesiastes: From Illusion to Reality
The Hopelessness of Nihilism
September 4, 2022 • Jon Morales • Ecclesiastes 12
It used to be junk mail. Now it’s spam. We’re talking about the daily detritus that floats into your postal box or email inbox that you don’t want, didn’t ask for, and has no value for your life. So we’ve developed the habit of purging without even looking. But in a rush to discard all the dross, something important might get tossed. As our summer series in Ecclesiastes closes, we discover that not everything is meaningless. Indeed, there is something significant for us to hold on to as the Teacher winds down his reflections.
The Striving of Productivism
August 28, 2022 • Adam Mashni • Ecclesiastes 3:1–11
Have you ever opened the app store for your preferred computer or phone platform and looked for productivity apps? You probably didn’t have to look far! There are dozens of calendars, to-do lists, time blockers, habit trackers, note takers, mind mappers, text editors, file organizers, and focus tools. All pledge to make you more efficient, productive, and valuable. But is that an empty promise? In this week’s passage of Ecclesiastes, the Teacher tells us there’s a time for productivity. But a deeper look reveals a profound truth about all of our work under the sun.
The Pressure of Perfectionism
August 21, 2022 • Charlie Koopman • Ecclesiastes 11:1–8
Once considered a positive trait, perfectionism is on the rise in our culture. Unsurprisingly, anxiety, fear, and depression are at an all-time high. Despite what is on display in so many curated Instagram feeds, being flawless is an unrealistic goal, an illusion driven by the need to manage every aspect of our lives tightly. Again this week, we look through the lens of the "Teacher" in Ecclesiastes to wrestle with the question: Can I ever really have control of my life?