Peter Kreeft, Ecclesiastes, and the Meaning of Life

Document Type : Original Research

Authors
Seyedeh Zahra Rashidifard 1
Mohsen Javadi 2
1 PhD Student of Comparative Philosophy, Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch, Tehran, Iran
2 Professor of Islamic Philosophy and Kalam Department, University of Qom, Qom, Iran
10.30497/prr.2017.1910
Abstract
Some biblical exegetes like Peter Kreeft, believe that the main issue of Ecclesiastes is the problem of the meaning of life and absurdity. By an analytic approach, this article seeks to show that the meaning of the meaning of life in Ecclesiastes is the goal of the highest good. Many people choose wisdom, pleasure, wealth and power, duty and religion as the highest good, but Ecclesiastes makes clear that these things alone don't give meaning to the life and the life without the presence of God is absurd. The highest good is God and being in love with Him. By awareness of the absurdity of mundane aspects of life, one’s intellect becomes silent and by hearing the call of God, his heart truly believes in Him and finally, falls in a loving relationship with Him; so he finds the life meaningful.
Keywords
Absurdity
Ecclesiastes
Peter Kreeft
the Meaning of Life
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Philosophy of Religion Research
Volume 14, Issue 2 - Serial Number 2
November 2017
Pages 105-122