Exploration Into God

Ecclesiastes is a rather wonderful and very ancient book of Wisdom. It should not be read as a cynical and depressing account of life--rather, it's a way of putting life in perspective. The continual refrain that "all is vanity under the sun," does not mean that life here on earth has no value even though death wins out in the end. On the contrary, the writer insists that here and now really does matter. Live in the present, he says, enjoy the actual life you have, it's the only one you've got. Life is meant to be lived "in its time," as given from the hand of God. But you only get it once--no rehearsals! This is a wonderful and very contemporary word of Wisdom!

RAY S. ANDERSON (1925-2009) was Senior Professor of Theology and Ministry at Fuller Theological Seminary where he has taught for more than thirty years. He is the author of more than twenty-five books, including, The Seasons of Hope, Marriage and Family Ministry in a Postmodern Culture, The Soul of Ministry, Ministry on the Fireline, and The Shape of Practical Theology.