Unlocking Wisdom: Forming Agents of God in the House of Mourning
Overview
James Reitman's exposition of Job and Ecclesiastes in Unlocking Wisdom is written for serious Bible students, combining a transparent hermeneutical methodology with a canonical-linguistic expositional style to explore the authors' intended meaning as expressed in the text. This innovative commentary provides a more canonical, literary and synthetic reading of these two books of Wisdom than is available in verse-by-verse exegetical treatments and relates the arguments of the two books to make them eminently applicable to contemporary readers.
- Linguistic exposition of the books of Job and Ecclesiastes
- Bibliography
- Index of Hebrew terms
- Subject index
Top Highlights
“In Job’s case, if such profound suffering could befall the most ‘blameless and upright’ of men (Job 1:1), how could any less righteous reader claim to be protected from suffering? Similarly, if Qoheleth had ‘gained more wisdom than all who were before’ him (Eccl 1:16) yet found that it conferred no advantage in his self-sufficient pursuit of lasting satisfaction, how could a less wise reader expect to find any more?” (Page 13)
“Their opinions are repeated almost ad nauseam to underscore how difficult it can be to dislodge such attitudes, even when the sufferer has been a close friend.” (Page 82)
“ cannot empathize with Job because of their entrenched belief in performance-based acceptance by God” (Page 83)
“The first round of the debate (chaps. 4–14) lays the foundation for retribution theology.” (Page 81)
“when life’s quest for fulfillment leaves only an unshakable sense of utter futility.” (Page 9)
I especially appreciate Dr. Reitman's self-conscious and meticulous hermeneutical rigor. . . . He explains his rationale for the format that he employs in the commentary—one that is both idiosyncratic and effective. In the commentary's organization, his careful and analytical mind excels. . . . Would that all commentaries were so rigorous. And would that all were so satisfying in their conclusions. Beyond his attention to methodological precision, Reitman's conclusions ring true to life always the test of a commentary's effectiveness.
—William W. Klein
Reaching into his own experience and reflecting deeply on the theological questions of the books of Job and Ecclesiastes, Jim Reitman pursues the profound issues of pain and suffering as both victim (Job) and oppressor (Ecclesiastes). Whether as a guide for further study of these books or as a counterpoint to various traditional and postmodern understandings, the reader will be challenged and encouraged to find new significance to a Christian theology of suffering at a time when this message desperately needs to be told.
—Richard S. Hess
Reitman's excellent exposition of the books of Job and Ecclesiastes shows how unjust suffering and self-motivated ambitious schemes result in frustration and confusion, and how only the fear of God can resolve disillusionment. Here is a remarkably perceptive study of two often-neglected wisdom books whose messages are desperately needed today. Any student of these two books will be spiritually enriched by this exposition.
—Roy B. Zuck
- Title: Unlocking Wisdom: Forming Agents of God in the House of Mourning: A Canonical-Linguistic Exposition of the Books of Job and Ecclesiastes
- Author: James Reitman
- Publisher: 21st Century
- Publication Date: 2008
- Pages: 384
Reviews
2 ratings
David Leslie Bond
11/20/2013
Justin Cofer
7/17/2013
