Ecclesiastes Recommended Reading
BEN SANSBURN
Last week we wrapped up an eight-week journey through the book of Ecclesiastes. It was a rich and stretching two months - full of hard questions, honest reflection, and gospel hope. Yet, as deep as we went, we barely scratched the surface of this remarkable book.
If you want to keep exploring Ecclesiastes on your own, here are a handful of books and resources to help you on the road. Each of these has been shaping for me in different ways through this series.
If you want to keep exploring Ecclesiastes on your own, here are a handful of books and resources to help you on the road. Each of these has been shaping for me in different ways through this series.
If you pick up any of these, I’d love to hear what stands out to you!
Commentaries
These commentaries engage directly with the biblical text and walk through Ecclesiastes passage-by-passage.
1. NIV Application Commentary, Iain Provan
Provan's commentary was the most helpful resource for understanding the text itself. Though the NIV Application Commentary series leans 'less-technical' than others, Provan's exegetical work is sharp, careful, and full of insight. If you want one commentary that balances accessibility with depth, this is a great place to begin.
2. Hearing the Message of Ecclesiastes, Christopher Wright
Chris Wright's commentary is shorter and more streamlined than Provan's, but does an excellent job in tracing the flow of the book and highlighting its major themes. Wright's clarity and pastoral sensitivity makes this a great book to study by yourself or in a small group.
Provan's commentary was the most helpful resource for understanding the text itself. Though the NIV Application Commentary series leans 'less-technical' than others, Provan's exegetical work is sharp, careful, and full of insight. If you want one commentary that balances accessibility with depth, this is a great place to begin.
2. Hearing the Message of Ecclesiastes, Christopher Wright
Chris Wright's commentary is shorter and more streamlined than Provan's, but does an excellent job in tracing the flow of the book and highlighting its major themes. Wright's clarity and pastoral sensitivity makes this a great book to study by yourself or in a small group.
Pastoral Books
These books capture the heart of Ecclesiastes and translate its message into everyday life with depth and pastoral wisdom.
1. Everything Is Never Enough, Bobby Jamieson
If I could put just one book in your hands on Ecclesiastes, this would be it. Jamieson's writing is as beautiful as it is helpful. He brings out the rich layers of the text and presses its challenges and comforts into the reader's heart.
2. Living Life Backward, David Gibson
Gibson builds his book on a simple but profound question: What if we learned to live life now in light of the end? With warmth and gentleness, he shows how keeping our mortality in view changes the way we work, rejoice, love and trust God in the present.
If I could put just one book in your hands on Ecclesiastes, this would be it. Jamieson's writing is as beautiful as it is helpful. He brings out the rich layers of the text and presses its challenges and comforts into the reader's heart.
2. Living Life Backward, David Gibson
Gibson builds his book on a simple but profound question: What if we learned to live life now in light of the end? With warmth and gentleness, he shows how keeping our mortality in view changes the way we work, rejoice, love and trust God in the present.
Connected Works
For those who want to understand the broader philosophical and theological conversation around meaning, these classics overlap well with Ecclesiastes and are worth a read.
1. Christianity for Modern Pagans, Peter Kreeft
Kreeft's abridgment and commentary on Blaise Pascal's Pensées is the most accessible way to engage Pascal's brilliant, meandering reflections on the human condition. Kreeft helps draw out Pascal's relevance for the modern world - and his resonance with Ecclesiastes.
2. The Myth of Sisyphus, Albert Camus
Camus' famous essay wrestles honestly with meaning in a world he assumes has none. In many ways, it's the atheist-existentialist mirror to The Preacher's observations. If you enjoy philosophy, this is a fascinating read - and a sharp contrast to the hope Ecclesiastes holds out.
Kreeft's abridgment and commentary on Blaise Pascal's Pensées is the most accessible way to engage Pascal's brilliant, meandering reflections on the human condition. Kreeft helps draw out Pascal's relevance for the modern world - and his resonance with Ecclesiastes.
2. The Myth of Sisyphus, Albert Camus
Camus' famous essay wrestles honestly with meaning in a world he assumes has none. In many ways, it's the atheist-existentialist mirror to The Preacher's observations. If you enjoy philosophy, this is a fascinating read - and a sharp contrast to the hope Ecclesiastes holds out.
If this list still leaves you hungry for more - I'd encourage you to check out any of the other books in my 'study-stack' in the picture above.