A new interdisciplinary work on the book of Ecclesiastes is now available. Fear God and Keep His Commandments: A Practical Exposition of Ecclesiastes not only looks at the text of the book from a theological viewpoint but also examines the psychological perspective.
The authors, Tiberius Rata and Kevin Roberts, believe it might be the first book to take such a view of the Old Testament book. Published by BMH Books, Winona Lake, Ind., the commentary looks at the words of Solomon, the wisest man in history, who was Israel’s third king. His words challenge and encourage the reader to live as if his or her time were short and to fear God in all things.
Rata is a professor of Old Testament Studies at Grace Theological Seminary, while Roberts is a professor of Counseling at Grace College, both located in Winona Lake.
Written for serious students of the Bible, professors, Sunday school teachers, and laypeople will appreciate the dual theological and psychological assessment on this much beloved and fascinating Old Testament book. Each chapter is outlined so that it could be taught or preached in two, three, or four points.
“I think this book is very relevant because we have Solomons, not just in our pews,” says Rata. “We have Solomons in our lives, people who try to fill the void that only God can fill, with different things.”
“Those wrong choices that we make by having false idols produce some severe consequences,” adds Roberts. “Solomon is challenging us to remember God, and not to live under the sun, but to keep that perspective. I think that he’s doing that because he’s looking back on a life where he hasn’t lived that way.”
Fear God and Keep His Commandments: A Practical Exposition of Ecclesiastes sells for $14.99 and is available at BMHBooks.com, amazon.com, and other online retailers, or may be ordered at any local bookstore. The ISBN number is 978-0-88469-299-7.
It will also be available as an ebook in Kindle, iBook, Nook, and Kobo formats platform. ISBN number for the digital version is 978-0-88469-319-2
Tiberius Rata, B.S., M.Div., Ph.D.
Tiberius Rata, B.S., M.Div., Ph.D., is assistant dean, School of Ministry Studies and professor of Old Testament Studies at Grace Theological Seminary, Winona Lake, Ind. Dr. Rata is a graduate of California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, Calif., and holds an M.Div. from Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. in Old Testament from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He has a passion for instilling in his students a love for God and His inerrant Word.
Kevin Roberts, B.S., M.A., Psy.D.
Kevin Roberts, B.S., M.A., Psy.D., is chair, Behavioral Science Department and professor of Counseling at Grace College, Winona Lake, Ind. Dr. Roberts is a graduate of Grace College, including an M.A. in Counseling, and holds a Psy.D., from Adler School of Professional Psychology. His special interests include integrated health care practices and behavioral medicine and addiction treatment.
