A Life That Is Good: The Message of Proverbs in a World Wanting Wisdom

by Glenn Pemberton, Tremper Longman III (Foreword by)

Overview

Somewhere out there is the "good life," and we're all scrambling to get it. Glenn Pemberton maintains in this book that we find the so-called good life not in good things but in living well--and the biblical book of Proverbs teaches us how to live that life.

Though based on solid biblical scholarship, A Life That Is Good is not a textbook, commentary, or comprehensive study. It is instead a readable, practical guide to the wisdom found in the ancient book of Proverbs--wisdom on everyday living, speech, relationships, justice, money, and much more. Pastors and church groups in particular will love and benefit from this relevant guide regarding the message of Proverbs for today's world.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780802875679
Publisher:	Eerdmans, William B. Publishing Company
Publication date:	09/20/2018
Pages:	254
Sales rank:	847,809
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

Glenn Pemberton is a minister turned professor turned writer who most recently taught Old Testament studies at Abilene Christian University. His other books include Hurting with God: Learning to Lament with the Psalms.

Table of Contents

Foreword Tremper Longman III ix

Preface and Acknowledgments xi

To Readers, Group Leaders, and Teachers xv

Abbreviations xvii

Part 1 The Sages, Their Book, and Wisdom

1 The Sages and Their Book 3

2 The Women of Proverbs and Proverbs 1-9 23

3 The Proverb and Proverbs 10-31 40

Part 2 Major Concepts in Wisdom

4 Deforming Character: How to Become a Fool 61

5 What's God Got to Do with it? Searching for God in Proverbs 79

6 Justice and Mercy: The Wisdom of Merciful Justice 98

Part 3 Applied Topics for a Life That Is Good

7 Speech: A Kiss on the Lips or a Club to the Head? 119

8 If I Were a Poor Man: Wealth and Poverty 137

9 Which Way Did They Go? The Wisdom to Lead 158

Part 4 Relationships in a Life That Is Good

10 Destroying and Creating Friends: Wisdom for Relationships 179

11 Mom, Dad, and the Kids: Family Values in Proverbs 197

Bibliography 221

Index of Subjects 223

Index of Hebrew Words 226

Index of Scripture 227

Editorial Reviews

The Catholic Biblical Quarterly
"Even a cursory reading, however, makes clear that this is one of the best new books on Proverbs available to this (or any other) readership. Not only is it eminently readable, but it is carefully structured, an irony given the fact that the structure of Proverbs is so famously difficult to pin down."

Religious Studies Review
"Many books on Proverbs are valuable for the verse-by-verse commentary that helps the reader understand specific proverbs. Pemberton's approach is far more global. In order to make Proverbs accessible and interesting to undergraduates who may not be motivated to study it otherwise, and to make this biblical book more comprehensible to seminary students or adult groups who already see its value, the author presents a broad overview of the genre, the context, and the themes addressed. . . . Additional chapters address, in quite creative, interesting, and informative ways, the themes of speech, wealth and poverty, leadership, relationships, and family."

From the Publisher