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Living Word Bible Studies
Ecclesiastes and Song of Songs: Wisdom's Searching and Finding
Nielson leads the reader in a study of two of the most beautiful Old Testament poetic books, both of which deal with universal, basic human for the meaning of life (Ecclesiastes) and the joy of love (Song of Songs). Careful attention to textual form and content combines with personal meditation and application.
177 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
3 people are currently reading
12 people want to read
About the author
Kathleen Buswell Nielson
12 books24 followerssee also: Kathleen B. Nielson
A native of St. Louis, Missouri, Kathleen Nielson holds M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in literature from Vanderbilt University and a B.A. from Wheaton College (Illinois). She has taught in the English departments at Vanderbilt University, Bethel College (Minnesota), and Wheaton College. She is the author of numerous Bible studies, and the book Bible Study: Following the Ways of the Word, as well as various articles and poems. Kathleen has directed and taught women s Bible studies at several churches and speaks extensively at conferences and retreats. She serves as director of women s initiatives for The Gospel Coalition and on the board of directors of The Charles Simeon Trust. Kathleen and her husband Niel (president of Covenant College 2002 2012, now leading an enterprise in global Christian education) have three sons, two beautiful daughters-in-law, and a growing number of grandchildren!
A native of St. Louis, Missouri, Kathleen Nielson holds M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in literature from Vanderbilt University and a B.A. from Wheaton College (Illinois). She has taught in the English departments at Vanderbilt University, Bethel College (Minnesota), and Wheaton College. She is the author of numerous Bible studies, and the book Bible Study: Following the Ways of the Word, as well as various articles and poems. Kathleen has directed and taught women s Bible studies at several churches and speaks extensively at conferences and retreats. She serves as director of women s initiatives for The Gospel Coalition and on the board of directors of The Charles Simeon Trust. Kathleen and her husband Niel (president of Covenant College 2002 2012, now leading an enterprise in global Christian education) have three sons, two beautiful daughters-in-law, and a growing number of grandchildren!
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
April 27, 2019
Nielson has done it again. Her Bible studies help us to dig into Scripture ourselves for understanding and clarity.
She sees God's Word as a whole, communicating His truth to us. From page 126:
"The Bible, Old Testament and New, is the completed revelation of the wise words given by one Shepherd. We must interpret each part according to the whole. The Bible's whole story, from beginning to end, is about God redeeming a people for himself through Jesus Christ. Therefore, we must see Ecclesiastes always and finally in this light."
Another very highly recommended study from KBN!
She sees God's Word as a whole, communicating His truth to us. From page 126:
"The Bible, Old Testament and New, is the completed revelation of the wise words given by one Shepherd. We must interpret each part according to the whole. The Bible's whole story, from beginning to end, is about God redeeming a people for himself through Jesus Christ. Therefore, we must see Ecclesiastes always and finally in this light."
Another very highly recommended study from KBN!
October 26, 2017
A nice study companion. I will say, I still used the commentary in my study bible along with this and felt that made it much more complete of a study. Kathleen's guide was not quite as inductive as I would have preferred, but considering I was using this while going through the first few months of my first child's life, it was perfect for that season. :)
November 22, 2021
Our women's group at Church used this book to study Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon. I'd never studied Ecclesiastes in-depth before. This study guide helped me understand Ecclesiastes better and gave me a new perspective on Song of Solomon.
I highly recommend this study.
I highly recommend this study.
February 18, 2017
I have not read many women’s Bible studies. But from what I have seen, I can surmise that many deal with all sorts of things beyond the plain text of Scripture. Kathleen Buswell Nielson in her studies, sticks to the text of Scripture and teaches women how to grapple with and understand the text. Her study, "Ecclesiastes and Song of Songs: Wisdom’s Searching and Finding", is part of her own series, the Living Word Bible Studies originally written with her own ladies’ class in mind.
The book is a spiral bound book but nicely done with a deluxe softcover that is nice to hold. It opens up flat which makes it more suitable for jotting down notes in the ample spaces provided during the studies.
The book begins with an introduction to the two books to be studied, and then an introduction to poetry, where Nielson makes some insightful comments. "If God inspired so much poetry in these books… then it must be important and good for us to take in the poetic form with understanding and enjoyment" (pg. xv). She also points out that the hallmark of Hebrew poetry--parallelism, is uniquely suite for translation, as rhyme and meter won’t as easily be conveyed in a receptor language.
Then Nielson gives an introduction to each book followed by a series of lessons followed with five days of home work (questions and answers with assigned reading). With Ecclesiastes she sides with the view that the "Preacher" is Solomon, this is "an educated guess", based on the available evidence. She sees the "Preacher" as being on a journey towards faith "with higher and lower voices pulling back and forth until the resolution at the end†of the book" (pg. xix). The study questions are insightful and take one beyond the confines of the individual book itself, often referencing other verses and encouraging a practical application of the passage being studied.
For Song of Solomon, Nielson aims to take the Song literally first an then to use marriage as the key to applying the book more broadly and to be "spurred on in our love for God, who loves us so amazingly in Christ Jesus" (pg. 131).
The book includes a "Notes for Leaders" section which stresses the primacy of the text, the role of the church, and other more practical matters. A suggested outline of both books is included along with suggested memory passages. She then gives a note on translations and a list of recommended study helps.
I was quite impressed by the quality of the scholarship revealed in this little book. It would make the backbone of a great study for women (or men even), on these two OT Wisdom books. Nielson’s approach is both devotional and scholarly, and aims for the hearers to apply the knowledge gained. This is a faithful study and should prove to be a blessing and a help for women’s Bible studies or Sunday School classes. I am happy to recommend this work.
Disclaimer: This book was provided by P & R Publishing for review. I was under no obligation to offer a favorable review.
The book is a spiral bound book but nicely done with a deluxe softcover that is nice to hold. It opens up flat which makes it more suitable for jotting down notes in the ample spaces provided during the studies.
The book begins with an introduction to the two books to be studied, and then an introduction to poetry, where Nielson makes some insightful comments. "If God inspired so much poetry in these books… then it must be important and good for us to take in the poetic form with understanding and enjoyment" (pg. xv). She also points out that the hallmark of Hebrew poetry--parallelism, is uniquely suite for translation, as rhyme and meter won’t as easily be conveyed in a receptor language.
Then Nielson gives an introduction to each book followed by a series of lessons followed with five days of home work (questions and answers with assigned reading). With Ecclesiastes she sides with the view that the "Preacher" is Solomon, this is "an educated guess", based on the available evidence. She sees the "Preacher" as being on a journey towards faith "with higher and lower voices pulling back and forth until the resolution at the end†of the book" (pg. xix). The study questions are insightful and take one beyond the confines of the individual book itself, often referencing other verses and encouraging a practical application of the passage being studied.
For Song of Solomon, Nielson aims to take the Song literally first an then to use marriage as the key to applying the book more broadly and to be "spurred on in our love for God, who loves us so amazingly in Christ Jesus" (pg. 131).
The book includes a "Notes for Leaders" section which stresses the primacy of the text, the role of the church, and other more practical matters. A suggested outline of both books is included along with suggested memory passages. She then gives a note on translations and a list of recommended study helps.
I was quite impressed by the quality of the scholarship revealed in this little book. It would make the backbone of a great study for women (or men even), on these two OT Wisdom books. Nielson’s approach is both devotional and scholarly, and aims for the hearers to apply the knowledge gained. This is a faithful study and should prove to be a blessing and a help for women’s Bible studies or Sunday School classes. I am happy to recommend this work.
Disclaimer: This book was provided by P & R Publishing for review. I was under no obligation to offer a favorable review.
August 23, 2014
another wonderful study to dig into scripture. I only did the Ecclesiastes section with my summer bible study group but I learned a lot. Maybe I'll do the Songs section later.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews