In this interpretive guide, Dr. A. Wendell Bowes demonstrates how effectively the message of Ecclesiastes complements the optimism of wisdom books such as Proverbs by questioning that optimism and underlining what is most important in life.
Widely regarded as pessimistic in tone, the book of Ecclesiastes presents unique difficulties for preaching and teaching. Ecclesiastes seems to declare that no matter what a person does, in the end life is as fleeting and meaningless as vapor. What edifying value could this book have for parishioners and students? Wendell Bowes, in Half Empty, expertly answers this question. In this interpretive guide, Dr. Bowes demonstrates how effectively the message of Ecclesiastes complements the optimism of wisdom books such as Proverbs by questioning that optimism and underlining what is most important in life. Like its companion volume, Half Full, on Proverbs, Half Empty includes sermon starters, presentation ideas, sermon title suggestions, and a substantial reference list.
A. WENDELL BOWES (1945–2023) was professor emeritus of Old Testament at Northwest Nazarene University, where he served as chair of the department of religion and director of the MMin program. He held a BA from Northwest Nazarene University, an MDiv from Nazarene Theological Seminary, a ThM from Princeton Theological Seminary, and a PhD from Dropsie College. Prior to his teaching career, he pastored three Nazarene churches in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. He authored Job in the New Beacon Bible Commentary series; Consider My Servant Job; The Wisdom Literature in the Reading and Interpreting the Bible Series; Half Full: An Interpretive Guide to Proverbs; and Half Empty: An Interpretive Guide to Ecclesiastes.
