Reading Wisdom and Psalms as Christian Scripture

I have a mixed feeling to approach texts such like psalms and wisdom literature because it is not easily interpreted like letters. Ansberry do a very good job by providing a concise introduction to the wisdom books and Psalms in their literary, theological, and canonical contexts. Now, I can more clearly understand many passages with help from his book.

Book Review: "Reading Wisdom and Psalms as Christian Scripture" by Christopher B. Ansberry

Christopher B. Ansberry's work, "Reading Wisdom and Psalms as Christian Scripture," offers an in-depth analysis of the Wisdom literature and Psalms within the Christian biblical canon. This review explores the book chapter by chapter, highlighting key insights and quotes from each section.

Chapter One: Introduction to Wisdom Literature and Psalms: Faith Seeking Understanding
In the opening chapter, Ansberry sets the stage by discussing the fundamental role of faith in understanding biblical texts. He articulates that "faith serves as the volitional precondition for discerning and receiving the voice of the triune God across the canon of Scripture" (Ansberry). This chapter introduces the reader to the concept of "faith seeking understanding," which serves as the thematic backbone for the entire book.

Chapter Two: Proverbs: Fear Seeking Understanding
Here, Ansberry dives into the Book of Proverbs, emphasizing the pursuit of wisdom through the fear of the Lord. He explains, "Proverbs inculcates fear seeking understanding" (Ansberry), suggesting that true wisdom begins with a reverential awe of God. This chapter explores the poetic and moral complexities of Proverbs, showing how its teachings are both practical and deeply spiritual.

Chapter Three & Four: Theological Themes in Proverbs
These chapters analyze specific theological themes within Proverbs. Ansberry discusses how Proverbs addresses practical life issues through a theological lens. For example, he points out that "the house of the righteous, much wealth; but in the produce of the wicked, ruin" (Proverbs 15:6), highlighting the moral outcomes of righteous living versus wickedness.

Chapter Five: Job: Suffering Seeking Understanding
In this poignant chapter, Ansberry tackles the Book of Job, focusing on the theme of suffering and its role in understanding divine justice and human endurance. He notes, "Job stages a performance of suffering seeking understanding" (Ansberry), exploring the profound existential and theological questions that arise from Job's afflictions.

Chapter Six & Seven: Theological Themes in Job
Further dissecting Job, Ansberry examines how the text wrestles with the notions of divine justice and the human response to suffering. He highlights how Job's relentless quest for understanding amidst his trials exemplifies the struggle to maintain faith in the face of inexplicable pain.

Chapter Eight: Ecclesiastes: Finitude Seeking Understanding
Ansberry discusses Ecclesiastes' exploration of life's fleeting nature and the pursuit of meaning. He eloquently summarizes, "Ecclesiastes exemplifies finitude seeking understanding" (Ansberry), pointing out the book's existential inquiry into the value and impermanence of earthly pursuits.

Chapter Nine: Theological Themes in Ecclesiastes
This chapter delves deeper into the existential and theological themes presented in Ecclesiastes, with Ansberry illustrating how the text challenges readers to find enduring value in a transient world.

Chapter Ten to Eleven: Song of Songs: Desire Seeking Understanding
Ansberry interprets the Song of Songs as a reflection on human desire and divine love. He argues that the text "awakens desire and contemplates the question, What is love?" (Ansberry), offering a unique perspective on the interplay between human and divine affection.

Chapter Twelve: Psalms: Praise Seeking Understanding
Focusing on the Psalms, Ansberry discusses how these prayers and hymns facilitate a deeper connection with God through praise. He suggests that "Psalms probes the nature of the life of faith as well as how one maintains covenant relationship with God" (Ansberry), highlighting the emotional and spiritual depth of the Psalter.

Chapter Thirteen: Theological Themes in Psalms
In the final chapter, Ansberry wraps up his analysis by exploring the theological depth of the Psalms. He discusses how the Psalms articulate a range of human emotions from despair to joy, reflecting the complexities of faith and the human experience with God.

Conclusion

"Reading Wisdom and Psalms as Christian Scripture" by Christopher B. Ansberry is a thorough and insightful exploration into some of the Bible's most profound texts. Through his detailed analysis and thoughtful interpretation, Ansberry invites readers to deepen their understanding of Scripture and strengthen their faith. This book is highly recommended for those seeking to explore the theological depths of the Wisdom literature and Psalms within a Christian context.

I gained early access to author Christopher B. Ansberry’s study of wisdom literature in Christian Scriptures. Ansberry is an associate professor of biblical and religious studies at Grove City College, Grove City, PA. In his Reading Wisdom and Psalms as Christian Scripture: A Literary, Canonical, and Theological Introduction, he discusses the books of Proverbs, Job, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, and Psalms. He demonstrates for the modern student of the Bible how Scripture interprets Scripture. He also shows in this short, 240 page book how these works fit into the two-Testament, inspired Word of God

Ansberry provides an overview of his approach interpreting the Bible’s wisdom literature. These books reveal that the source for true wisdom is God. Wisdom is a learned skill as well as “an instrument of effective governance,” Ansberry said. God gives wisdom as a gift to human beings to teach them how best to direct and orient their lives, Ansberry said. He provides historical and cultural background as well as the mythological stories of the ancient Near East that shaped the writing of those who wrote these Old Testament texts. Ansberry translates pertinent Hebrew and Greek words at times to enhance understanding. He also provides a glossary of terms and references in the back of the book for further study.

Ancient and modern theologians lend their voices to this work, including Athanasius of Alexandria, Gregory of Nyssa, St. Augustine, John Calvin, and St. Hilary of Poitiers. The latter, by the way, has the best advice for studying God's Word,

"The best student...does not read his thoughts into the book, but lets it reveal its own; who draws from it its sense, and does not import his own into it, nor force upon its words a meaning which he had determined was the right one before he opened its pages. Since then we are to discourse of the things of God, let us assume that God has full knowledge of Himself, and bow with humble reverence to His words. For He Whom we can only know through His own utterances is the fitting witness concerning Himself." (St. Hilary, On the Trinity, Book 1)

Ansberry cites previous works he has written on this subject, as well as other biblical scholars, including Michael V. Fox, Carol A. Newsom, Katharine J. Dell, Will Kynes, Andrew R. Davis, Hermann Gunkel, Raymond Van Leeuwen, and Gerald Henry Wilson. Philosophical views on gaining wisdom are included that show the difference between knowledge and wisdom. Plato, Aristotle, Socrates, Rene Descartes, Edmund Burke, Immanuel Kant, Martin Buber, and Martin Heidegger drew up a chair to the table among others.

Each chapter read made me feel like I once again sat in a lecture hall. I miss that atmosphere. You'll want to read the full text from the Bible. Ansberry does have reading assignments. I felt reading the full text gave me an overview before immersing myself in his discussion. I've learned not to read verses apart from chapters in the Bible. I've also learned Scriptures are best interpreted when read as a whole, not in part. Ansberry heads each book with what the writer of the Old Testament work is seeking from wisdom. Each one raises a "perennial question," Ansberry said, and I used both wisdom sought and the question raised as a heading to highlight what I learned while reading these books of the Bible.

Proverbs - Fear Seeking Understanding: What is the good life?

Proverbs has different authors, Ansberry said, but most Christians are familiar with King Solomon, David's son. See 1 Kings 4:20-34. Jewish tradition says Solomon wrote Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon. Proverbs uses characters and narratives to move readers from elementary to intermediate and then advanced wisdom to applied wisdom, he said. The first principle, or fruit of wisdom, is the fear of the Lord. The fear of the Lord means the Christian is to hate evil and revere and depend on God. Fear of Yahweh is not distinct from wisdom. Without fear of the Lord, wisdom will not be acquired.

Instruction begins with a father to his son and then moves on to Lady Wisdom and Lady Folly calling in public places for devotees. The ladies use similar speeches that will lead their prospective listeners in different directions - the former to life and the latter to death. Proverbs connect here to Genesis in that Lady Wisdom came first before creation and holds within her all that is desirable for living the good life, Ansberry said.

The difference between knowledge and wisdom is what Proverbs illuminates, Ansberry said. Writers of Proverbs disagree with the notion of wisdom coming out of an autonomous self. Knowledge from within leads to folly. Wisdom is a gift from others. Just like the rest of the Christian life: we were made for relationship. The Scriptures show wisdom is acquired through instruction, discipline, and reproof. The moral self also is formed in relationship to the other. Christians who remain open to instruction and discipline acquire wisdom through their eyes, ears, heart, and mind. We are moved by what we desire, Ansberry said. We are what we love. The wise person loves wisdom.

Job - Suffering Seeking Understanding: How does one live in the seeming absence of God or in the absence of answers to life’s atrocities?

Ansberry’s reading of Job brought in a question of translation for me once more. He makes the argument that Satan is Lucifer, the fallen angel, who has a beef with God’s servant Job. Ansberry said “hassatan” is “the adversary” here, so I will adopt his translation. Job is known as “a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil” (1:8). The satan believes Job’s fear of the Lord and hatred of evil is based on the fact God has placed a hedge of protection around him. God blessed Job and his family. Take all that away and Job will curse God.

God allows the satan to take everything away, including Job’s health, and no further. Ansberry said this book is not about why good people suffer, but about the life of faith lived well in a world marked by suffering. It’s a timely topic when so many preach a prosperity gospel where God is like Santa, or an ATM, as Ansberry put it.

Job also shines a light on the attributes of loyal and faithful friendship. Job’s influential friends arrive from afar when they hear about their friend’s reversal of favor. He’s unrecognizable. They at first sit silent with him for a week, but then, they speak of and about God to their friend. They are men who have faith in God, but not a personal relationship, nor a covenantal relationship. These men believed that the righteous prosper. They looked up to Job. Favor followed him everywhere he turned. Why else would the friends travel to sit and mourn with him? They each determine Job must have done something wicked.

Job reminds the friends that even the righteous suffer, something that the narrator of Ecclesiastes will discuss in the next chapter. Job maintains his integrity and doesn’t turn to evil. He speaks to God, even going so far as to bring a lawsuit before Him. And Yahweh speaks in a way that comforts Job enough that he ends his time of mourning.

I cried at the end of Ansberry's chapters on Job and Ecclesiastes. I think Yahweh’s responses to Job reminded me of the chorus of “Whole World.” He’s got the whole world In His faithful, loving, all-powerful hands. He keeps this planet going despite the falling away that's happening. Many don’t truly know Him, they scorn Him, or deny His existence. He told Job the ways he cares for the animals. He provides them with food, so why do I worry about food and gas prices? What Jesus said in Matthew 6:26 came to my mind,

“Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?”

Job’s friends didn’t understand their friend's personal relationship with Yahweh. After reading that passage, I, too, thought like Job, “What is man that You are mindful of him,
And the son of man that You visit him?” (Psalm 8:4)

Ecclesiastes - Finitude Seeking Understanding: What does it mean to be human?

Qoheleth, the narrator of Ecclesiastes, discusses the seasons of human lives and how a life of joy and gratitude for what God gives us provides a foundation for life. Working for profit and toiling at our work is “hebel,” according to Qoheleth, Ansberry said, which means “vanity” or “empty.” You can work your whole life and gain honor and riches. Some work for no one but themselves, and don’t enjoy a day of their lives. People can leave an inheritance for loved ones only to have them lose what they gained.

Working, eating, drinking, enjoying life as our portion, our gift from God, is the better way. It’s countercultural, but we would do well to accept that none of us is a “self-made” human. All of us depend on God as finite, limited creatures. He gives us these gifts for us to enjoy with gratitude.  

Song of Songs (Song of Solomon) - Desire Seeking Understanding: What is love?

Yes, Ansberry does give a nod here to Tina Turner. Love is from God, and not "a second-hand emotion." Song of Songs, or Song of Solomon didn't strike me as wisdom literature at first, but then we do have a lot to learn about true love. "We are what we love" holds true here once more. We love the wrong things and that leads to our destruction. Song of Songs reads like a play or performance between two lovers and their audiences. Writers used descriptions of the lovers that corresponded to descriptions of Lady Wisdom, the strange woman, and Lady Folly in Proverbs. Ansberry said that this book is not attributed to King Solomon, despite what my Bible told me.

But I did see what he found. The lovers, the man and woman speaking in Song of Songs, refer to Solomon in third person. They compare his military forces, his vineyard, and his wedding day with their own in their speeches to one another. The speeches separate Solomon from the man, the woman, and the daughters of Jerusalem. Song of Songs shows love as it should be between a husband and wife, as well as how the love between God and His people, the church.

Ansberry connected the fallen garden in Genesis with the garden in Song of Songs as a redeemed Eden in this book about what it means to love. While reading online about the two gardens, I came upon "The Fruit of Wisdom" by Dr. Phillip Cary, Eastern University, who explained how Adam and Eve's first testing failed when they ate from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. He also pointed out that Solomon calls wisdom the "Tree of Life," that other tree in the Garden of Eden. Carey said of wisdom,

"It is the fruit of a long process of maturation and experience. These metaphors, still built into our language, help us see the point of the ancient story. If wisdom is to be ours, it must grow in us slowly like a tree—a tree of life—and at the end of the long growing we have its ripe fruit, sweet to the taste, which is the knowledge of good and evil—the kind of knowledge by which a king may rule well, and any of us may govern our lives well. This fruit of wisdom is at the beginning beyond us and outside us, but it is not to remain there forever."

Song of Songs connects with Genesis, Proverbs, and also with Old Testament prophet’s works, like Hosea, in that Song of Song describes God’s love for His adulterous people.  

Psalms - Praise Seeking Understanding: How does one maintain covenant relationship with God?

Ansberry begins his overview of Psalms, starting with wisdom from Holocaust survivor, Elie Wiesel, who wrote the memoir Night about the horrors he witnessed at Auschwitz and Buchenwald. He described prayer “as an urgent movement inward and outward” to God as “a way toward life.” In comparing the Psalms with Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Job, Ansberry said the former books provided lessons and instruction that the reader chooses whether to act or to not act. The psalms though commit the believer to action. They are spoken or sung by the individual. Ansberry gave as an example an exchanged with his daughter. He tells his daughter he will pick her up at 5 p.m. He speaks and commits to his word in that moment, and his daughter in has faith in him that he will keep his word.

People have studied and interpreted Psalms from literary, structural, and thematic standpoints, but what I found the most illuminating was how the study of Psalms as 5 books came into fruition. Ansberry said Gerald Wilson’s book on Psalms changed how we read this book of lyrical poems. Wilson studied the nature and organization of ancient Near Eastern hymnic collections that helped him see the shape of the book of Psalms. The psalms include hymns and songs of praise, laments, psalms of imprecation (a new term for me), royal psalms about the Davidic monarchy (Messianic psalms), and psalms of thanksgiving. Each book concluded with a doxology, and “mirrors the division of the Pentateuch,” known as the Torah.

Book 1: Psalms 1—41
Book 2: Psalms 42—72
Book 3: Psalms 73—89
Book 4: Psalms 90—106
Book 5: Psalms 107—150

A popular practice among Christians today is praying through the Psalms. The Psalms provide an outline, not unlike the Lord’s prayer. The Psalter praises “God’s relational goodness,” Ansberry said, as well as His “loving faithfulness,” or “hesed.” These are specific, concrete examples, not abstractions, and testify to God’s faithfulness in covenantal relationship with His people.

The Psalms show people have the capacity “to think, choose, and act” in keeping with the divine will, but often sin incapacitates them, Ansberry said. The Psalter pleas for God to restore a person and bring them back to right relationship with Him. Psalms of lament seem to have fallen out of fashion in our worship music, Ansberry said. Christian songs today sound more like, “everything and everyone is okay,” which made me think of that song from The Lego Movie by “The Lonely Island”:

Everything is awesome
Everything is cool when you're part of a team
Everything is awesome
When you're living out a dream

Impecatory psalms are overlooked as well. They make Christians uncomfortable, Ansberry said. Those “invoke curses, judgment, or calamity on enemies or those perceived as enemies of God.” Christians are taught they are supposed to love the sinner, hate the sin, and they are comfortable with letting God’s justice come after death. (I think he meant American Christians here.)

Ansberry would tell Christians to re-think that. God sees the heart. He knows before we've said a word what we are feeling and thinking. Why hold back part of our hearts from God?

Ansberry referenced Old Testament and Law professor Brent A. Strawn's article: Sanctified and Commercially Successful Curses: On Gangsta Rap and the Canonization of the Imprecatory Psalms. Strawn studied why people resonate with Ice Cube's rap music. We have a longing for justice. As in rap, the Psalter is asking God to hold people accountable, to fight for him. He isn't committing acts of violence. He's doing the best thing. He’s giving the matter over like a prosecuting attorney to the ultimate Judge, according to Ansberry.

His argument reminded me of 2 Timothy 3:16-17,

"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."

Reading Wisdom and Psalms as Christian Scripture is one of a 6-part series on Reading Christian Scriptures. Certain elements reminded me of sermon style. Ansberry provides a conclusion at the end of each chapter where he succinctly sums up what he’s discussed, which I needed. Questions were included at the end of each chapter to guide readers in discussion of the material - perfect for group Bible study.