A Time to Question

I have just finished reading Michael V Fox's book a Time to Tear Down and a Time to Build Up. From the title it should be clear that it is a book on Ecclesiastes, Fox really gets to grips with Qohelet (the preacher-or as Fox' prefers the public speaker). I found the book depressing and at first thought that he was off the mark making Qohelet out to be less than orthodox. I realised towards the end of the book it is because we often overlook the message of Qohelet, 'that everything is hebel' (Fox opted for absurd as his preferred translation of hebel), because it doesn't sit comfortably with our theology. I think Fox does go too far in his conclusions, missing the message of the prologue and epilogue, that it is only under the sun that everything is Hebel, but it is a necessary corrective. Qohelet's message is not all about the answers that can be found with God, but about the uncertainties of live in the here and now.

Fox rightly points out that Qohelet has a questioning type of faith, Qohelet is not afraid to ask the difficult questions of God, and life, I think this is what separates evangelicals from their fundamentalist cousins. A questioning faith is the only type of faith to arrive at answers which leads to growth in our understanding and aids us in helping others who are going through difficult times or times or questioning. faith in a truly biblical sense is one that is certain through proven experience, God is faithful and will always be proved to be so. As God is faithful we can trust God during the difficult times and yet still ask questions.

Shalom

Stephen