Joy at the End of the Tether: The Inscrutable Wisdom of Ecclesiastes [Paperback]

Douglas Wilson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 1999

In this lively reading of Ecclesiastes, Doug Wilson reveals its powerful lessons of vanity, joy, celebration, and the sovereignty of God.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Most Christians view the book of Ecclesiastes as an enigma, a puzzle from which we might draw a few aphorisms but little else. Douglas Wilson's fresh, lucid treatment of this wonderful book enables us to see that its message is not a confused riddle but an incisive indictment of 'the wisdom of this world.' We learn that what we call 'modernity' is simply a term for men sinning in the old ways with new toys and tools. There is truly nothing new 'under the sun'; man's problems today are exactly what they have been since the Fall. And the answer to man's problem is just as old, yet forever new-'the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.'" --Steve Wilkins, Auburn Avenue Presbyterian Church

About the Author

Douglas Wilson is pastor of Christ Church, Moscow, Idaho and editor of Credenda/Agenda magazine. He is a Senior Fellow at New Saint Andrews College, as well as author of numerous titles, including Reforming Marriage, A Primer on Worship and Reformation, and Heaven Misplaced. He and his wife Nancy have three children and oodles of grandchildren.

Product Details

• Paperback: 125 pages
• Publisher: Canon Press (June 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1885767501
• ISBN-13: 978-1885767509
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #712,388 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Douglas Wilson is the minister of Christ Church in Moscow, Idaho, which is a member of the Confederation of Reformed Evangelical Churches (CREC). After his stint in the submarine service of the U.S. Navy, he attended the University of Idaho, where he obtained an MA in philosophy.

As one of its founders, he has served on the board of Logos School, a classical and Christian school (K-12), since its inception. He is also a Senior Fellow of theology at New St. Andrews College. He is the author of numerous books, including Reforming Marriage, The Case for Classical Christian Education, Letter from a Christian Citizen, and Blackthorn Winter. He is also the general editor for the Omnibus textbook series. His blog can be found at www.dougwils.com.

All his favorite authors begin their names with initials--C.S. Lewis, G.K. Chesterton, H.L. Mencken, J.R.R. Tolkien, N.D. Wilson, and P.G. Wodehouse. The one exception is Nancy Wilson, a favorite author to whom he has been married for over thirty-four years. They have three children and fifteen grandchildren.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Howard Eames, Headmaster Redeemer Christian School, Arizona, July 2, 2001

By 

Howard Eames (Mesa, Arizona United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Joy at the End of the Tether: The Inscrutable Wisdom of Ecclesiastes (Paperback)

Doug Wilson has finally provided the biblical balance for this book that contemporaries of our Lord Jesus would have said "defiled the hands." Unfortunately, many contemporary Christian expositors have agreed. This is not a book written by a backslidden schizophrenic. But it is a book of profound philosophy and a glorious exposure of the world's vanities. Every thing from inscrutable repetitiveness to ephemeral transitoriness is there - but the Church has had its exegetical eyes closed. Doug has steered a clear path between the Scylla and Charybdis of biblical interpretation. Skip the others and buy Wilson and Kaiser.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding Short Overview of Ecclesiastes, November 11, 2009

By 

Mike Robinson "Mike A Robinson: Apologetic An... (USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Joy at the End of the Tether: The Inscrutable Wisdom of Ecclesiastes (Paperback)

Doug Wilson's exposition of the book of Ecclesiastes is concise, well reasoned, and outstanding. He offers real world application on the following subjects:

- Joy

- Despair

- Right Judgment

- Loving your wife

- The Law

- The Place of Working Hard

- And other topics

Wilson furnishes a review at the end of each chapter.

This is a short overview of book of Ecclesiastes (125 pages) consequently it makes a good devotional resource for believers as they simultaneously read and ponder Solomon's prose. It lacks the deep detail required for biblical preaching but can be used to augment therein.

The author's writing style is precise, yet smooth. I suggest you pick this fine overview of an important book in God's word.

By Michael A Robinson author of numerous books on apologetics and philosophy; Including:

Letter to an Atheist Nation: Presupositional Apologetics Responds To: Letter to a Christian

5.0 out of 5 stars A Life Changing Read, November 30, 2011

By 

DaHammer (Colorado Springs, CO United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Joy at the End of the Tether: The Inscrutable Wisdom of Ecclesiastes (Paperback)

This is easily my favorite read in the last ten years. I've found no better explanation for understanding the enjoyment of the good and the beautiful than in Wilson's commentary on Ecclesiastes. All this enjoyable stuff is just so much meaningless vanity that is here today and gone tomorrow, but when understood as gift from God's good hand it changes everything. That's the book in a nutshell, but your life will be so much more enriched by studying "Joy At The End Of The Tether" along with Solomon's meditation on life.