Ecclesiastes

Michael Eaton's concept of Ecclesiastes as a work viewing alternately heaven and earth, under the sun, seems to make sense of the complexity in this part of the Wisdom literature. When earthbound, the author is pessimistic, but when he turns his eyes heavenward, he recognizes the value of faith. As with most Tyndale commentaries, the introduction is informative. It talks about topics ranging from the text, time and setting of the book through the purpose of the book. As with most Wisdom literature, these topics are useful and interesting for the commentary novice.

Eaton’s commentary, also written at a popular level, is regarded as one of the best available, at least by those who don’t regard it as awful (a strange phenomenon I’ve seen with commentaries on Ecclesiastes). Mathison says, “Like all of the commentaries in the Tyndale series, Eaton’s work is clear and concise. Eaton views Ecclesiastes as an apologetic essay. It defends the life of faith in God by detailing how terrible the alternative is. Life without God, according to Ecclesiastes, is futile. With all of the different approaches to interpreting Ecclesiastes, I find Eaton’s particularly helpful.” [Full Review]

Like all of the commentaries in the Tyndale series, Eaton's work is clear and concise. Eaton views Ecclesiastes as an apologetic essay. It defends the life of faith in God by detailing how terrible the alternative is. Life without God, according to Ecclesiastes, is futile. With all of the different approaches to interpreting Ecclesiastes, I find Eaton's particularly helpful. [Full Review]

Evangelical appreciation of a positive interpretation to the book as an apologetic in a world of faithlessness. [Full Review]