Who wrote Ecclesiastes?--Really?

Recently, we had guests in our home. Our guests had been on a journey through multiple states. While traveling, they visited a Church of Christ in another state on a Sunday morning. Their experience was one that brought a chuckle, a sigh of despair, and shame.

In the class assembly at this church, the visiting preacher asked a question: “Who in this assembly can tell me who wrote the book of Ecclesiastes?” Holding up money, he said, “This is for anyone 10–20 years of age who can answer the question.” Still, no one dared to try to answer. He stated again, “For anyone 25–30 years old, can you answer the question: Who wrote the book of Ecclesiastes?” The room was silent. “For anyone 30–35 years old, will you answer the question?” Finally, he had a winner. Someone in this age group was able to answer who wrote the book of Ecclesiastes.

This experience begs the question, “What is being taught in churches?” One of two things is occurring in this particular congregation. Either there are many shy people who are fearful of speaking up, or there is a gross lack of familiarity with the Bible. I wonder, if this question were asked in your congregation, what would be the outcome? Would it be necessary to get to the over-thirty age group to answer that particular basic Bible question?

It has been said that many churches are becoming worldly, and the world is becoming “churchy.” This appears to be true. Those of the world recognize a need for community. They recognize a need for “brotherhood.” Meanwhile, the church is forfeiting truth in order to become more appealing. Are we attempting to keep one foot in the world and one foot in heaven? There is no equal to this despairing position. It is no wonder a sense of defeat is experienced by so many “churchgoers.”

Conformity to the world causes the church to lose its distinguishing marks. It becomes more and more difficult to distinguish darkness from light. Truth becomes subjective. Morals are dictated by culture, and pleasing God becomes an afterthought. Romans 12:2—And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Jesus said, Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake (Matthew 5:10–11). Jesus endured persecution and slander because He was different. If the church is willing to be like Christ, we will be easily recognized as different. Perhaps we lack persecution because we are no different than those who are without Christ. When placed under strict scrutiny, it is often difficult to know who is different.

Peter says this about the people of God: But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light (1 Peter 2:9). In order for us to fail, we do not have to become worse than Satan’s disciples—we just have to be no better. In order for the church to fail in the mission of Christ, we do not have to preach a false doctrine—we just need to quit teaching true doctrine. In order to avoid persecution, we do not have to embrace darkness—we just have to quit reprimanding darkness.

All that is necessary for a church to cease to exist is for its members to stop attending the services. It is not necessary for members to become criminals or staunch advocates of sin—they just need to treat the assembly of the church with

lesser importance than the million other things they are engaged in. In doing this, the congregation will fail. Satan’s agenda has not changed.

Satan attempted to stamp out the Word of God a few hundred years ago through physical persecution. Today, Satan succeeds by allowing the Bible to become a bestseller with very little impact. How? All that is necessary to erase the life-changing force of Scripture is to stop studying it.

Psalm 119:11

Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

The vast majority of Christians attempt to serve Christ by proxy. This is another reason it is difficult to distinguish the church from the world. This is an impossible task. We cannot know Christ through the knowledge or experience of someone else. Those who will follow Christ must make it a personal choice and lifestyle. The preacher is obligated to be familiar with the Word of God. So are you.

Ephesians 4:11

And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.

Did you notice why God gave the church—the body—these offices? It is found in verse 12. He gave them for the completion of the saints, for the building up of the body. In our world, we are so accustomed to assuming the role of a spectator. We do it in front of our TVs, at our ballgames, and at almost all events. The role of the elders, teachers, and evangelists is not to manage a church service, but rather to edify the body. We are to edify and exhort each other. Our purpose in the assembly is not to be a spectator but, rather, a participant.

Hebrews 10:24–25

And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

I cannot provoke unto love if I assume the role of a spectator. I must become engaged. I must desire to exhort or encourage, and to be a participant in good works.

“What is being taught?” Perhaps the better question is, “What is being heard?” If I assume the role of a participant, my attention span is much better. Where I previously worked, I sat through many classes as a spectator. My mind often drifted. Many of these classes were not engaging. As a result, I received little benefit. When tasked to teach, I was no longer a spectator. It changed the entire dynamic for me. This principle is true of the church, as well.

Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 14:5—I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying. As a teacher—and you are one—understand that you have the responsibility to work toward the completion and increase of the body. Edify, encourage, and prove those things that are right.

Mark Parkhurst