The Forgotten Books of the Bible: Recovering the Five Scrolls for Today

by Robert Williamson Jr.

You're probably missing some of the most interesting books of the Bible.In the Jewish tradition, the five books known as "The Five Scrolls" perform a central liturgical function as the texts associated with each of the major holidays. The Song of Songs is read during Passover, Ruth during Shavuot, Lamentations on Tisha B'av, Ecclesiastes during Sukkot, and Esther during the celebration of Purim. Together with the five books of the Torah, these texts orient Jewish life and provide the language of the faith.In the Christian tradition, by contrast, these books have largely been forgotten. Many churchgoers can't even find them in their pew Bibles. They are rarely preached, come up only occasionally in the lectionary, and are not the subject of Bible studies. Thus, their influence on the lives and theology of many Christians is entirely negligible. But they deserve much more attention. With scholarly wisdom and a quick wit, Williamson insists that these books speak urgently to the pressing issues of the contemporary world. Addressing themes of human sexuality, grief, immigration, suffering and protest, ethnic nationalism, and existential dread, he skillfully guides readers as they rediscover the relevance of the Five Scrolls for today.

Genres: Theology, Christian

179 pages, Paperback

Published August 1, 2018

Reviews

[Teri Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book.
I love how accessible it is for everyday readers, while still being intellectually rigorous.
I love phrases like “Songiest of Songs” (explaining how the title of the Song of Songs is similar to declaring part of the Temple the Holy of Holies), and “Vashtigate” (the crisis in Esther 1).
I love the explanations of things I have missed, even after years of preaching and teaching—things like the names of Naomi and Elimelech’s sons being the equivalent of “Sicky Sickerson and Deathy McDeathFace” (“Don’t do it. They will die.”) or that Mordecai and Haman are descended from people who have been engaged in a blood feud for a dozen generations before.
I SUPER love the way Williamson turns things around for us and offers new insights, like what if the woman in Song of Songs is like God, and we are like her lover who is inconstant? Or how Ruth is both a story that speaks to our immigration/xenophobia problems in white western culture today, and also problematic because she is set up as a model minority which is still thoroughly racist. Or how Ecclesiastes shines a light on our fear of death and invites us into a life lived more fully in the present, which is the only place joy exists.

This is a book with profound implications for the world and church of the 21st century, and it is written in a way that even those who aren’t used to scholarly Bible study can get into it. It isn’t for the faint of heart, but it is definitely crying out to be read and discussed widely. I had a lot of thoughts while reading it, and I suspect I won’t be alone. This is a book that invites conversation, rather than laying down a “this is how it is” study, and I think we need that in the Church. I’m thinking about how to use it in my congregation, and I hope others will too.


***I asked a question about the author’s work on Ecclesiastes, and he invited me to be one who received an Advance Copy of this book. I agreed to review it honestly, which I have done. I promise I would tell you if I thought it was rubbish, regardless of having gotten a free pdf or not. :-) ***

[Ben Thurley · Rating 4 out of 5]

If I lived in the USA, I'd want to visit Robert Williamson's church – particularly if he was preaching on one of the neglected or overlooked books of the Bible he explores in this work: Song of Songs ("highly erotic" without being sexually explicit), Ruth (promoting a "positive view of immigrants and foreigners"), Lamentations ("perhaps the most unflinching book of the Bible" in "its expression of anguish and accusation"), Ecclesiastes (which "invites us into an honest conversation about death's inevitability, reminding us of the futitility of all our efforts to secure symbolic immortality") and Esther (probably best read as "a historical novella, ... reflecting on the possibilities and perils of being Jewish in the time of Persian rule).

His readings are critically informed, constructively devotional, and pastorally sensitive. Williamson links his readings insightfully with contemporary reflections on issues such as sexuality, immigration, violence and protest, death and futility, and racism and white supremacism. But he is never less than respectful of the texts. The contemporary connections do not feel forced and do not over-ride the integrity of the Biblical texts themselves.

It's a short and stimulating read that will be startling, even provocative, for some I'm sure. I think, though, that it offers thoughtful and sensitive readings of texts that speak divinely, in a range of ways, to real human hopes, fears, and frailties. Williamson's nuanced and generous reflections on the applicability of these ancient text to contemporary situations and dilemmas (even crises) will not ever win universal acceptance, of course, but I hope and pray that they might fuel more compassionate, and – dare I say it – Christ-like responses from people who bear that name.

[Kerri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't count how many times I've heard someone say "but the Bible says..." as a way to close off conversation. This book will challenge you to read not only the 5 texts Williamson focuses on (Song of Songs, Ruth, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, Esther) but any Biblical text seriously - opening a dialogue with how others (whether you are reading this together or alone) might read these texts. Williamson is a scholar who not only challenges those with an academic background in theology but any who want to dig deep and explore the Biblical text. There is some "technical" language that might be more common to Biblical scholars but you won't get bogged down in it.

You won't find easy answers but it will inspire you to pick up that dusty Bible on your bookshelf and read these ancient texts again. The ambiguity and complexity of these texts is held in tension and engages - and challenges - the reader.

For those that like a more didactic style of teaching, this book is for you. For those that like to explore how these ancient texts impact the issues of today, this book is for you. For those who say the Bible is out of touch and does't really mean anything anymore, this book is for you

[M Christopher · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m very pleased to have this book in my library! As the author points out, the books of Ruth, Song of Songs, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, and Esther, have had their place in the canon debated for centuries. But, as he points out, the Jews have turned this questioning into a reason to celebrate the books, featuring each of them at the time of a Holy Day. Christians, sadly, have used the controversy as a reason to ignore them.

I’m glad to say that I’ve studied, preached, or taught four of these books. Nevertheless, Williamson presented me with new insights on all of them. As for the fifth, Lamentations, I am glad to have been given such a solid introduction and will be looking for an opportunity to teach or preach from it.

[Mel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book back in 2018 when I first got it, but felt the need to revisit it recently. I am so glad I did. So much of the content is so relevant to right now. Revisiting this book in the late summer of 2021, the chapters on Ruth, Lamentations, and Ecclesiastes felt especially timely.

Each of the "forgotten books" can be read alone if readers want to read (or reread) just one part, but the entire book is certainly worth reading at least once. It is very readable, and the opinions are presented in a way that is approachable and understandable even to those of us with a much more limited background understanding than the author has.

[Gclopper · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m not a theologian or scholar, and this book is as accessible as it is thought-provoking. This is a book for those who doubt, who feel despair, who are being pulled to protest but aren’t sure how, who struggle to find truth among all the noise. It’s also a book for those who aren’t feeling despair or protest and can’t quite understand why they are seeing so many people who are, and who look to the Bible for guidance and understanding. In short, it’s a book for all of us with enormous relevance right now.

[Nate Duriga · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had high hopes for this book, that I thought would help me see the five scrolls in the context of rabbinic tradition and interpretation. Instead, while offering interesting literary commentary, the author seeks every opportunity to foist the views of the American political left onto these texts. Disappointing.

[Cameron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Robert’s book gives detailed analysis and careful exegesis of each biblical book he engages. He is able to link each text to a modern setting, encouraging the reader to think of the Bible in a historically critical lens with the need to encounter each story in a modern way.

[Mmetevelis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting exposition on some less used books of the Bible. Williamson's work is teeming with both easy to access Biblical analysis and pastoral insights. Our congregation is currently using this for a preaching series.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

enjoyable and informative! the only thing I would have added is more information about how these forgotten books are used in Jewish teaching and especially each of the Festivals where they are read.

[Su-Lauren Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would give 4.5 stars if I could. Excellent walls even if foundation is a little shaky.

[Erin West · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting...enjoyed thinking about this material in new ways and not finding a set answer.

[Joe Henry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fresh approach to:
The Song of Songs
Ruth
Lamentations
Ecclesiastes
Esther

Bobby Williamson is an impressive scholar and a wonderful teacher.

[Corvus Wilde · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the ideas and how a lot of books were discussed in a matter that took a step back, but it was definitely written for millennials.

[Ginny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whatever your level of knowledge of or familiarity with the Bible, this book is accessible and thought-provoking and fun to read!