How the book of Ecclesiastes shapes our view of God and helps us combat consumer Christianity

Abstract

This thesis seeks to use the Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes as a lens to examine the modern-day evangelical church and some of the common attitudes present within it. It begins with bringing to light the rift between the high calling of the church to be a holy people and the present reality of the consumer Christian landscape. The essay continues by breaking down the attitudes toward God that may be responsible for disenfranchisement within and frustration toward the church. Specific sections within the scripture mentioning God are examined to reveal incomplete views of the divine that may arise from a reading of Ecclesiastes. With a more holistic view of God in conjunction with the New Testament gospel message, Christians may be freed from the narrow views so present in evangelical culture. Moving forward, they may discover a faith where honest questions of purpose and doubt are encouraged instead of silenced, where the unique differences of individuals are welcomed, and where discipleship to Christ, not culture, is the cornerstone.