The Pundit's Folly: Chronicles of an Empty Life

by Sinclair B. Ferguson

The world is a sea of glass: a pageant of fond delight, a theatre of vanity, a labyrinth of error, a gulf of grief, a sty of filthiness, a vale of misery, a spectacle of woe, a river of tears, a stage of deceit, a cage full of devils, a den of scorpions, a wilderness of wolves, a cabin of bears, a whirlwind of passions, a fained comedy, a delectable frenzy; where is false delight, assured grief; certain sorrow, uncertain pleasure; lasting woe, fickle wealth; long heaviness, short joy.

Genres: Christian, Theology, Nonfiction, Biblical Studies, Christianity

104 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1996

About the author

Sinclair B. Ferguson is Associate Preacher at St Peter's Free Church in Dundee and also Distinguished Visiting Professor of Systematic Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was Senior Minister of First Presbyterian Church of Columbia, South Carolina and prior to that, he was minister of St. George's-Tron Church in Glasgow.

Reviews

[Michael Beck]

Ferguson is a top-notch theologian, and one I often consult. Yet, this book felt more a the manuscripts of a very short overview series on Ecclesiastes. Helpful stories, poems, and songs abound for sermon illustrations. But my biggest issue with the book was that it skipped most of Ecclesiastes and commented here and there on certain passages.

[Colin Fast]

Hard to go wrong with SBF. As applicable now as it was 30 years ago when first published.

[Joy Atmajian]

A book after my own heart, but these ecclesiastical books always have such an easy conclusion and I just never fully accept them. But I’m trying.

[Steven]

I have yet to find a Sinclair Ferguson book I cannot recommend. This one is no exception. The Pundit's Folly is a short overview of the Book of Ecclesiastes. It is not a commentary. You're not going to find detailed expositions of each verse. If you want a brief overview of the main ideas present in the book, Ferguson's book not only does that, but also helps you to search your own soul in light of the main ideas in Ecclesiastes. Have this as part of your repertoire of studies on Ecclesiastes.

[Alex]

I picked this up for two reasons. One is that I'll read anything by Sinclair. The other was the awesome cover art (discovering that the quoted bible verses are printed in a font resembling comic sans added a few bonus smiles). But there is plenty of substance here. It's a phenomenal survey of Ecclesiastes and a wonderful articulation of the Gospel.

The book's title is an interesting story. The author of Ecclesiastes is identified as Qoheleth, usually translated as preacher or teacher. Sinclair translates it pundit. In Scotland, a Folly is a building constructed only for ornament. It serves no purpose. They are often large and elaborate structures from the outside but are empty on the inside. Thus Pundit's Folly is the grand life of wealth and pleasure he built only to find it meaningless.

[Rueben Rosalez]

A fantastic and quick read. Ferguson dutifully reminds us of the folly of pursuing anything besides fellowship with the one true and living God.

[Tomo]

Good, clear, short, and helpful summary of Ecclesiastes.

[Joel]

My men's accountability and prayer group just finished studying through Ecclesiastes, and I found this book helped me keep my literary radar up to see Jesus in this penetrating Old Testament book. At times the Preacher of Ecclesiastes sounds strikingly contemporary--despairing, postmodern, facing the bleakness of life on earth under the sun.

Many of my contemporaries conclude life is pointless or meaningless, as the Preacher insists on pointing out the vanities and apparent meaninglessness of life. Yet he doesn't stop there, but hints throughout the book that there is meaning, there is significance, that at the end of the day humanity matters because there is a creator who is also judge, and because of his judgment all things will be put to rights.

For those who remember their creator, who remember the poor man who saved the city but was then forgotten is a type of Jesus, the true poor man who saves and yet is rejected by the world, life has significance and meaning. Life has meaning here and now, not just for eternity. The Preacher's conclusion in Ecclesiastes is to live boldly, live sensibly, and live godly (chapters 10 and first half of 11), because death comes to all and God will judge everything.

However, the New Testament witness is that there is resurrection: Jesus Christ has been raised, and that changes everything. 1 Corinthians 15 ends by reminding us that our labor in the Lord is not in vain. Its not meaningless. If you dig ditches, if you compose symphonies, if you paint, if you bake bread, program computers, advocate for the poor and oppressed, or raise children to love God and the world full of people He made in his image--those and all human cultural activities are significant and meaningful because of the judgment of God. The wonder of it all is that we don't receive the judgment we deserved: it was poured out on Jesus at the cross, and his resurrection shows that He fully satisfied the Father's wrath against our rebellion and sin.

I highly recommend Pundit's Folly for the Christ-centered perspective it brings to Ecclesiastes. The fear of God that the Preacher recommends- remembering our Creator and Judge- is most clear and most wonderful at the foot of the cross and the sight of the empty tomb.

Jesus resurrection changes everything: life is infused with meaning, it is death that is now pointlessly vain. As one Easter hymn says so well:

Vain the stone, the watch, the seal; Alleluia!
Christ has burst the gates of hell: Alleluia!
Death in vain forbids his rise; Alleluia!
Christ hath opened Paradise. Alleluia!

[Robert Luff]

A helpful exposition of the Book of Ecclesiastes. Ferguson narrated through the message as a whole, rather than explaining every verse. It is not a commentary, but an exposition. Then in the seconds half he moves evangelistic and shows how the author of Ecclesiastes' (whom he calls the Pundit) search for wisdom culminates in Jesus Christ. The book must be interpreted through the lens odd Christ. However, I think Ferguson could have said more about the Fall of Man as the reason for the vanity of life which the Pundit so frequently laments. This is the book's weakness, but it's strengths are its focus on the message odd Ecclesiastics as a whole, not getting caught in the weeds, and the evangelistic focus in the second half.

[Andrew]

A good concise Christ-centered commentary on Ecclesiastes. It is not written as a verse by verse exposition, but rather gives a broader overview. The first two chapters introduce the book and argue for the vanity of life without Christ. The last two chapters show how Ecclesiastes points us to hope in Christ and Christ’s redemptive work for sinners.

This was a very beneficial book for my family in our family worship and there is nothing technical making it useful for any Christian to read to better understanding how Christ is the true wisdom incarnate of Ecclesiastes.

[Paul Pompa]

Oh. My. Gosh. Finished working my way through Ecclesiastes a few weeks back and this is THE PERFECT COMPLIMENT to it. Really spells out Ecclesiastes in modern day terms. I think actually this would be for anyone who’s actions suggest they idolize anything or anyone other than God, whether a believer or non-believer. I’ve never read Ferguson before, but am definitely a fan now. I plan on reading more of his work in the near future.

[Brandi Breezee]

Illuminating little book to compliment one’s study of Ecclesiastes. “We try to evade the fear of God because we want to make man great and God small. So long as the Pundit wanted to make ‘man the measure of all things’, he had to try to reduce God to manageable (and therefore non-fear-able) proportions. That is why the Pundit looked at things only ‘under the sun’; to look beyond the sun would be to think about the presence of God and to be brought, inevitably, to fear him.”

[Cam Close]

Quick and easy, yet helpfully contemplative, considerations for the book of Ecclesiastes. Lots of quotes I wrote down for meditation and journaling. I liked his semi allegorical approach using “the Pundit.” I appreciate the clear and concise way the book is broken down. …I love anything by grandfather Ferguson

[David]

Evangelistic devotional on the book of Ecclesiastes. Beneficial for distribution by a church as a long-form Gospel tract, as well as a concise and practical introduction to the book in light of the New Testament for believers.

[Cameron Barham]

“What difference does the fear of God make? It transforms everything we do, no matter how mundane, no matter how grand. How? Because it invests all work with the higher dimension of honouring God, seeking his glory, reflecting his character as the Original Worker in everything we do.”, p. 82

[Michael Abraham]

Sinclair Ferguson walks through Ecclesiates and exposes life apart from God as folly.

[Doris Raines]

NICE BOOK.

[Walker Thomas]

Thanks for the Christmas present, Dan.

[Matthew Prydden]

This is essentially a commentary on the book of Ecclesiastes turned into a (relatively lengthy) evangelistic gospel tract. Lots of helpful ideas for various evangelistic messages along the way too.

[Justin]

I did not get what I expected. This reads like a lengthier gospel tract that you might get handed on the street. That is not a bad thing.

[Chase Pheifer]

The Pundit's exploration and conclusions seem to be a helpful tool in the belt of the Christian who seeks to convince his friends and neighbors of the validity and necessity of Christian faith.

[Andrzej Stelmasiak]

good stuff, just too brief, and shame that he didn't cover the whole book. definitely very engaging and stimulating read.

[Hannah Robbins]

WOW!! I was brought to tears by the description of what it means to fear the Lord. This book is SO good

[Ming Chen]

A good, short book, exposting Ecclesiastes with a particular Christocentric focus. Easily read in one sitting.

[Pige]

A re-read of this simple book that expounds on Ecclesiastes, my favorite Old Testament book. Some of the initial examples and analogies felt a bit too simplistic. But as I continued forward I was able to overlook the simplicity and take in the truths which changed 'cerebral' awaress to a more 'central' awareness evoking memories of attempts to find satisfaction through the same or similar avenues as the writer of Eccl. All of which, of course, are meaningless.
I don't think I'd actually recommend this book though, I'd recommend instead to read or re-read the primary source.

[Mark A Powell]

Tracing the logic of Solomon through the book of Ecclesiastes, Ferguson highlights what that ancient author found: the folly of life apart from God. Although we often search for meaning in work, possessions, or pleasures, these leave us unsatisfied and unfulfilled. In contrast, Ferguson points to the ultimate pleasure and meaning that comes from Christ. We were created for things beyond this realm, and thus we will never find true satisfaction in the things it offers.

[Hannah Belyea]

Explore the intricacies and hardships found in the book of Ecclesiastes that are gathered into a single and understandable volume that guides readers through the want and desires man has for purpose and eternal joy. Ferguson delivers a thought-provoking and intriguing examination that points all search of happiness and devotion to the Lord in an interesting and slow-paced way. To understand what will make us happiest, man must first understand where said happiness comes from.

[Dianne]

A deep and thought-provoking meditation into the key themes of the book of Ecclesiastes; instructive on many fronts as I was challenged to see all of life as nothing, but for the light of Christ. A helpful primer to encourage a more thorough study of the book itself. And, a key resource for the journey towards end-of-life, as I contemplate the Bible's call to focus on Christ and my eternity with Him, and the sweet desire of His presence as supreme over anything this world can offer.

[Timothy]

This book considers the meaning and purpose of life through a brief survey of Ecclesiastes. It charts and explains the pursuits and folly of the 'Pundit' leading us to source of wisdom in Jesus and his conclusion to "Fear God".

It is a light read with a good gospel treatment. Good for those new to the faith or seekers who have observed the vanity of life.

[Kristi James]

A wonderful exposition of such an application-filled book of the Bible. Dr. Ferguson speaks truth so smoothly, which allows the weight of its significance to come gently (but firmly). A very logical look at how to find meaning in life.