Pregledni rad
Faith in The Book of Qoheleth
Bruna Velčić
; Teologija u Rijeci, Rijeka, Republika Hrvatska
Sažetak
Qoheleth, widely acknowledged as a pessimist and sceptic among biblical writers
because of his doctrine of universal futility and the vanity of life “under the sun”,
is also considered, by some exegetes, as a man who experiences a crisis of faith, an
agnostic or even an atheist, because of his image of God as silent, distant and elusive, a
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figure whose actions in the world man perceives but cannot understand.
However, a careful reading of his book shows that Qoheleth is actually a wise
man “who lives by his faith” (Hab 2:4a). This is primarily reflected in the attitude of
“fear of God” (3:14; 5:6; 7:18; 8:12-13) that includes respect for God and acceptance of
his incomprehensible action; it is confirmed by texts on “God’s judgment” (3:17; 8:5-6;
11:9) in which Qoheleth believes, although the timing and criteria remain a mystery.
But more significantly, Qoheleth’s faith is reflected in the texts about “joy” (2:24; 3:12-
13,22; 5:17; 8:15; 9:7-9; 11:8-9), which imply that God, even though ultimately inscrutable,
reveals his presence to and his care for man in the small, everyday joys he bestows
on him during his short and futile life. Qoheleth’s faith thus persists between two
extremes: faith in a God who is permanently distant and unknowable and at the same
time is palpably close every day. Qoheleth’s response to this image of God is, on the one
hand, “fear”, and on the other, “joy” – and it is precisely this response that allows him to
overcome the “vanity” that he perceives “under the sun”.
Ključne riječi
vanity; fear of God; God’s judgment; Deus absconditus; joy; faith
Hrčak ID:
266446
URI
Datum izdavanja:
1.12.2013.
Posjeta: 446 *