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Without Regrets: A Study of Ecclesiastes
If only... Each person alive could complete that thought with any number of phrases expressing sorrow, lost wishes, and faded dreams. In a regrets. But, are regrets inevitable? Without A Study of Ecclesiastes meets this question head on. This study aims to help readers understand the basic principles found in the Bible for recognizing actions and attitudes that lead to regrets, while learning through examples from the life of Solomon. The practical explanations and examples make this study simple enough for a beginner, yet the profound truths will be challenging for even the seasoned Bible scholar. What does it take to live a life Without Regrets? Join author Kristi Burchfiel as she guides you through the book of Ecclesiastes to seek out the answer.
176 pages, Paperback
First published February 23, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
October 23, 2010
Have you ever sat down and thought about everything you’ve ever done that you now regret? After reading Burchfiel’s Without Regrets: A Study of Ecclesiastes, I now know that King Solomon regretted a lot about his life. Not only did he have regrets, but you can find them in a book of the Bible! The even greater fact is that you can take what Solomon learned and apply it to modern life.
Burchfiel uses her book as a Bible study tool. Her book is broken down into individual lessons. At times, the reader will find it necessary to look up Bible versus in order to answer the questions Burchfiel poses. This is a great, in-depth look at the life of Solomon. Since there are very few texts on the subject, it’s definitely a worthwhile read.
Burchfiel uses her book as a Bible study tool. Her book is broken down into individual lessons. At times, the reader will find it necessary to look up Bible versus in order to answer the questions Burchfiel poses. This is a great, in-depth look at the life of Solomon. Since there are very few texts on the subject, it’s definitely a worthwhile read.
March 3, 2012
I have been so inundated with my daily work that it seems as if it has taken me forever to read this book. I never gave any thought as to reading a study book about Ecclesiastes but I’m so glad God placed this book in my hands. Author Kristi Burchfiel writes with such ease and simplicity in her book, without regrets a Study of Ecclesiastes.
Kristi asks the question, “What does it take to live a life Without Regrets?
I have a whole new perspective on what Solomon has to say about remembering our past and our future. Challenge yourself and learn to live without regrets. This book is going on my “keepers shelf.”
July 26, 2016
I am glad to write this review. First, because it is a about a study book on Ecclesiastes. One of the least studied and well-understood books in the Bible. Second, because this study book aims at helping its readers reflect on their own lives, experiences and beliefs in terms of the wise advice given through the words in Ecclesiastes. Something that is done in a very easy-to-follow writing style and a well-structured pace.
I completely agree with the author in the sad fact that the book of Ecclesiastes is often skipped because it is commonly perceived as “depressing, pointless, not relevant in today’s world, and boring”. But by addressing the futility of almost everything in this world, its ultimately unsatisfactory pleasures, the repetitive nature of our thoughts and actions, our inevitable departure from it and the emptiness of everything when is done apart from God; we are in fact reminded that every true joy and peace can only come from abiding and acting in the love and justice of God, which is Christ, and in knowing Him with ever-increasing depth. “For who can eat and who can have enjoyment without Him?” (Ecclesiastes 2:25). This is something that the author of this book underlines frequently and helps us elucidate more clearly by referencing us to other Bible passages. And rightly so!
On the other hand, if I were to wish for something more from this book, it is for it to contain an even more in-depth study of Ecclesiastes. But I also realized that was not the author's objective, and that is fine and it certainly does not take away any merit.
But why would I wish the previous? For one, several verses from the book of Ecclesiastes have historically been taken out of context to “justify” ungodly beliefs and actions by some people. I think these verses need to be addressed in detail by the reader because they can be quite puzzling. Not only because they have several possible translations, but especially because they can be very easily misinterpreted. Also, I think that a more in-depth study will allow people to learn not only that Solomon was an extremely wise and wealthy king. But that he also turned his heart to idols by the end of his life. A surprisingly not very well-known fact about him, even though it is clearly recorded in 1 Kings. This, in turn, will help us ponder on why someone with such great wisdom and zeal for God so as to build His first temple, govern His people rightly (for that is why Solomon sought to have wisdom in the first place), write several proverbs and even this book; would then turn his heart to vain lies (which all idols represent). At what point in his life did he start to believe that worshipping idols was acceptable or compatible with his reverence for the one true God? Or did he altogether forsake the Lord?
While we cannot come with an accurate answer for the previous questions because the Bible does not give one, Solomon’s life lessons serves us to keep ever-present the essential importance of faithfulness and integrity in our love for God and in the discernment of His truth. If we truly seek to have a transparent and blameless life before Him, where our conscience can be without regrets and certain that our lives are for the honor and glory of our Lord’s blessed name; we must never forget that loving and chasing after the vain things of this world is incompatible with loving and abiding in the rock-solid truth of God. We cannot pretend to abide in him while loving also the vanities of this world. Standing firm by the Rock unavoidably requires of us to stop chasing after the wind.
I completely agree with the author in the sad fact that the book of Ecclesiastes is often skipped because it is commonly perceived as “depressing, pointless, not relevant in today’s world, and boring”. But by addressing the futility of almost everything in this world, its ultimately unsatisfactory pleasures, the repetitive nature of our thoughts and actions, our inevitable departure from it and the emptiness of everything when is done apart from God; we are in fact reminded that every true joy and peace can only come from abiding and acting in the love and justice of God, which is Christ, and in knowing Him with ever-increasing depth. “For who can eat and who can have enjoyment without Him?” (Ecclesiastes 2:25). This is something that the author of this book underlines frequently and helps us elucidate more clearly by referencing us to other Bible passages. And rightly so!
On the other hand, if I were to wish for something more from this book, it is for it to contain an even more in-depth study of Ecclesiastes. But I also realized that was not the author's objective, and that is fine and it certainly does not take away any merit.
But why would I wish the previous? For one, several verses from the book of Ecclesiastes have historically been taken out of context to “justify” ungodly beliefs and actions by some people. I think these verses need to be addressed in detail by the reader because they can be quite puzzling. Not only because they have several possible translations, but especially because they can be very easily misinterpreted. Also, I think that a more in-depth study will allow people to learn not only that Solomon was an extremely wise and wealthy king. But that he also turned his heart to idols by the end of his life. A surprisingly not very well-known fact about him, even though it is clearly recorded in 1 Kings. This, in turn, will help us ponder on why someone with such great wisdom and zeal for God so as to build His first temple, govern His people rightly (for that is why Solomon sought to have wisdom in the first place), write several proverbs and even this book; would then turn his heart to vain lies (which all idols represent). At what point in his life did he start to believe that worshipping idols was acceptable or compatible with his reverence for the one true God? Or did he altogether forsake the Lord?
While we cannot come with an accurate answer for the previous questions because the Bible does not give one, Solomon’s life lessons serves us to keep ever-present the essential importance of faithfulness and integrity in our love for God and in the discernment of His truth. If we truly seek to have a transparent and blameless life before Him, where our conscience can be without regrets and certain that our lives are for the honor and glory of our Lord’s blessed name; we must never forget that loving and chasing after the vain things of this world is incompatible with loving and abiding in the rock-solid truth of God. We cannot pretend to abide in him while loving also the vanities of this world. Standing firm by the Rock unavoidably requires of us to stop chasing after the wind.
June 2, 2010
I just finished reading this book today. I absolutely couldn't put it down. This is such a wonderful, meaningful study of the book of Ecclesiastes, and one that I will repeatedly refer to in my study of the Bible. I plan on re-reading it chapter by chapter as I complete the study questions that Kristi provided.
Kristi takes a difficult text and teaches it in a way that is informative and for me, emotional. This book reminds me of all of God's blessings and eternal love. God blessed me again today when he placed this book in my hands.
Thank you Kristi for this wonderful book.
Kristi takes a difficult text and teaches it in a way that is informative and for me, emotional. This book reminds me of all of God's blessings and eternal love. God blessed me again today when he placed this book in my hands.
Thank you Kristi for this wonderful book.
June 15, 2011
Without Regrets, a Study of Ecclesiastes, by Kristi Burchfiel has opened my eyes to the importance of the book of Ecclesiastes. Whenever I came to this book in Bible reading guides I always groaned. My thoughts were that it was a very depressing book with almost no value...meaningless...vanity...vanity...all is vanity. I was curious as to what this author had to say about all of it.
Truthfully, I cannot believe what I have missed. This book created interest in me that I never had before. I recommend it for all readers who want to search out more understanding.
Truthfully, I cannot believe what I have missed. This book created interest in me that I never had before. I recommend it for all readers who want to search out more understanding.
June 29, 2011
I don't know a person alive that doesn't have at least one regret. Maybe we said something we shouldn't have or done something we knew wasn't right. Author Kristi Burchfiel in Without Regrets: A Study Ecclesiastes shows us we are not alone. Even King Solomon made mistakes. Through this study you will learn what those mistakes were and how to learn from what Solomon went through and learned himself. Without Regrets is full of information. Kristi takes a deeper study of Ecclesiastes. I must say I look at this book alot differently now!
Kelly Hagen
Author of Jake & Jesus
Kelly Hagen
Author of Jake & Jesus
August 10, 2010
Without Regrets is a must read for all who desire to get to the bottom of what life is really all about. Kristi takes us into the book of Ecclesiastes and helps us unravel the wisdom of Solomon as he sought to understand the real meaning of life. Kristi does an excellent job of presenting Biblical truth in a Biblical way. A great book for personal and group studies.
July 30, 2011
I enjoyed reading this book. It was a very good study on the book of Ecclesiastes.
Review by Lisa Suggs
Author of - Choices: When Divorce Happens to You and Your Children
Review by Lisa Suggs
Author of - Choices: When Divorce Happens to You and Your Children
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews