K
KingCrimson
Guest
Two threads in one night... I must be on a roll.
I have a question with regards to the book of Song of Solomon, or Song of Songs if you'd prefer. I have heard it said by some that this book is supposed to be a metaphor for the relationship between Christ and the Church, that the man is actually God and that the woman is actually us, and just as how the woman is the bride of the man, so too are we the bride of Christ. However, I dispute the validity of this interpretation. I see no reason why we ought to take the book about having anything to do with Christ. As far as I can tell, the book is God revealing to us through Solomon (or some other wise man, depending on your views of authourship) precisely what He views as honouring to Him in a relationship: What true, Godly, romantic love between a man and a woman looks like. It's full of wisdom on this topic, but I don't really see anything in it that says "Hey, that's my surface message, but I'm actually about Christ and the Church!" I feel that to adapt such a perspective detracts from the actual message of the book, not to mention the interesting questions it presents. For example, the book illustrates a couple who are in a loving relationship. Well, so are we and Jesus, right? Of course not! The couple in the book are in a romantic relationship. I love Christ, but it sure isn't romantic love. The couple in the book have sex after they get married! What on earth is that supposed to be a metaphor of? What, Christ's death on the cross is His "marriage" to the church and His ressurection is the "consumation" of said marriage? That's a bit of a stretch.
So in other words, I would say that the Song of Solomon is a book of Godly advice about romantic love. Period. To me the whole concept that the book has anything to do with Christ and the Church derives from the school of thought that says that because God's plan from the beginning has been focused upon Christ, clearly every single verse of the Bible must point to Christ in some way, which is another perspective I've never really understood.
However, I do realize that this is my opinion, and there are many people who would say otherwise. So I'm interested in hearing: Do you believe that the Song of Solomon is actually about Christ and the Church? If so, why?
I have a question with regards to the book of Song of Solomon, or Song of Songs if you'd prefer. I have heard it said by some that this book is supposed to be a metaphor for the relationship between Christ and the Church, that the man is actually God and that the woman is actually us, and just as how the woman is the bride of the man, so too are we the bride of Christ. However, I dispute the validity of this interpretation. I see no reason why we ought to take the book about having anything to do with Christ. As far as I can tell, the book is God revealing to us through Solomon (or some other wise man, depending on your views of authourship) precisely what He views as honouring to Him in a relationship: What true, Godly, romantic love between a man and a woman looks like. It's full of wisdom on this topic, but I don't really see anything in it that says "Hey, that's my surface message, but I'm actually about Christ and the Church!" I feel that to adapt such a perspective detracts from the actual message of the book, not to mention the interesting questions it presents. For example, the book illustrates a couple who are in a loving relationship. Well, so are we and Jesus, right? Of course not! The couple in the book are in a romantic relationship. I love Christ, but it sure isn't romantic love. The couple in the book have sex after they get married! What on earth is that supposed to be a metaphor of? What, Christ's death on the cross is His "marriage" to the church and His ressurection is the "consumation" of said marriage? That's a bit of a stretch.
So in other words, I would say that the Song of Solomon is a book of Godly advice about romantic love. Period. To me the whole concept that the book has anything to do with Christ and the Church derives from the school of thought that says that because God's plan from the beginning has been focused upon Christ, clearly every single verse of the Bible must point to Christ in some way, which is another perspective I've never really understood.
However, I do realize that this is my opinion, and there are many people who would say otherwise. So I'm interested in hearing: Do you believe that the Song of Solomon is actually about Christ and the Church? If so, why?
