Wisdom Revealed [Hardcover]

Humans, seeking to understand the nature of reality, have learned to discern life's patterns and to respond to life's vicissitudes by acting wisely, doing what brings happiness and success. The Bible is a record of that journey. It represents the inspired attempt to become wise at the deepest level, living harmoniously with one's community, the earth, and the Creator. Through their inspirational teachings, the sages of the biblical wisdom tradition offer time-honored advice about some of life's most difficult concerns, including the problem of pain, the suffering of the innocent, the nature of evil, the justice of God, and the pervasiveness of death. Wisdom Revealed, a survey of biblical wisdom literature, offers perspective on topics that arise as one follows the text, always with an eye on the big picture, namely, daily living. Those who read this literature will be exposed to a set of core values necessary for vital citizenship and effective leadership at all levels of life. They will also obtain time-honored advice about how to deal with life's uncertainties in a holistic and pragmatic manner, focusing on what it means to be human in the presence of God. In his latest volume, Robert Vande Kappelle takes a concept--in this case 'wisdom'--and presents an informative and thought-provoking study that brings readers to a richer appreciation of ancient biblical wisdom literature, enlarging its scope to show how wisdom and Jesus are closely aligned. --Daniel A. Stinson, Washington & Jefferson College, Washington, PA Clearly written yet backed by reliable scholarship, Wisdom Revealed addresses the age-old question, 'What is life's summum bonum?' This helpful volume invites modern readers to join ancient sages in their efforts to integrate divine inspiration with human faith and reason. As Vande Kappelle indicates, wisdom understands the realm of divine-human encounter to be ordinary human life. --Walter C. Weaver, Washington & Jefferson College, Washington, PA l“+