VJERA U KNJIZI PROPOVJEDNIKOVOJ.

Qoheleth, widely acknowledged as a pessimist and sceptic among biblical writers because of his doctrine of universal futility and the vanity of life "under the sun", is also considered, by some exegetes, as a man who experiences a crisis of faith, an agnostic or even an atheist, because of his image of God as silent, distant and elusive, a figure whose actions in the world man perceives but cannot understand. However, a careful reading of his book shows that Qoheleth is actually a wise man "who lives by his faith" (Hab 2:4a). This is primarily reflected in the attitude of "fear of God" (3:14; 5:6; 7:18; 8:12-13) that includes respect for God and acceptance of his incomprehensible action; it is confirmed by texts on "God's judgment" (3:17; 8:5-6; 11:9) in which Qoheleth believes, although the timing and criteria remain a mystery. But more significantly, Qoheleth's faith is reflected in the texts about "joy" (2:24; 3:12- 13,22; 5:17; 8:15; 9:7-9; 11:8-9), which imply that God, even though ultimately inscrutable, reveals his presence to and his care for man in the small, everyday joys he bestows on him during his short and futile life. Qoheleth's faith thus persists between two extremes: faith in a God who is permanently distant and unknowable and at the same time is palpably close every day. Qoheleth's response to this image of God is, on the one hand, "fear", and on the other, "joy" -- and it is precisely this response that allows him to overcome the "vanity" that he perceives "under the sun". [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]