When Life Gets Twisted: Finding Meaning in the Absurdity of Life – Ecclesiastes 1:1-11
April 19, 2020Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Speaker: Jerry Cisar
Victor Frankl, a holocaust survivor and psychiatrist, tells of his experiences in the concentration camp, and how they led him to develop of what he called logotherapy, or therapy rooted in the pursuit of meaning. He recognized in the concentration camps that one’s search for meaning is the primary motivational force in life, and hence that which controls their behavior.
The book of Ecclesiastes grapples with the meaning of life: whether in a concentration camp or a palace. At times, Ecclesiastes appears very pessimistic about life and its meaning or purpose. However, that may be a premature judgment for, in the end, he leads us to life filled with meaning.
One author suggested a rather catchy way of summarizing the book: ““Fear God and, God-willing, enjoy a good meal!” Allow me to offer a summary theme of my own: Life under the sun leads one to experience its absurdity; life beyond the sun leads one to meaningful living.