Song of Songs

Train arriving for trip back home today after teaching Introduction to Wisdom Literature today at Queen’s University, Kingston. Today’s focus was Song of Songs. It is one of the most commented-on books in the Bible and has historically been seen as an allegory for God’s relationship with Israel and Christ’s with the Church. Recent scholars read it more plainly as a love poem between young lovers. Although in the Bible, the book never refers to God by name.

Origen (3rd CE) says, that blessed is he who enters the Holy of Holies….and even more blessed is he who songs the Song of Songs.

1:1-3
Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth!
For your love is better than wine,
your anointing oils are fragrant,
your name is perfume poured out;
therefore the maidens love you.
Draw me after you, let us make haste.

Introduction to Wisdom Literature

The Wisdom Literature course I am teaching this semester at Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, has begun.  Our first book was the Book of Proverbs.  One amazing discussion was around the section attributed to Agur (chapter 30).  Scholars, such as Purdue, argue that these verses originated in an 8th BCE migratory tribe in the Arabian peninsula.  And yes, it’s in the Bible!  Imagine, wisdom, gathered, collected and refined under the Arabian night sky long, long before God brought you and me into being.  For more on the course, Theo712.wordpresss.com