Song of Songs:

Song of Songs is a book about Solomon, just as Ecclesiastes is a book that concerns itself with Solomon. There is a great deal of debate as to this book’s authorship – but whether it was written by Solomon (though it is critical of him at points) or simply written “to” or “about” Solomon, its reading is unchanged.

Song of Songs – the title itself implies that we are reading the very best of songs (similar to Ecclesiastes’ ‘vanity of vanities’). The song concerns itself with human love and intimacy – the question for us is, does it use this language to speak to something else – the relationship between God and Israel, or perhaps between Christ and the church?

A number of early church fathers did what they could to prohibit others from reading the book (including Gregory of Nyssa and Jerome in the 4^th century). The Council of Constantinople in 550 famously outlawed the literal reading of the Song of Songs. So, why is it here in our Bibles? What benefit is there for us today? What does it speak to, and what does it matter? Join us as we spend a Sunday exploring this book’s place in the grand narrative of Scripture!

 -Pastor Nate Roschen