Says David Hubbard, “Anyone to whom the book of Ecclesiastes is not a puzzle has not yet read it” (Beyond Futility, 7). This admission from a seasoned scholar is as honest as it is truthful. While this inspired text grapples with the perennially relevant aches for meaning and purpose with which every thoughtful human being is familiar, it does so in ways that are unavoidably humbling, probing, and, at times, puzzling. But to those who endure in prayer and study, the rewards for such effort are great.
Today we welcome back to the podcast Dr. Christopher Cone. Dr. Cone has served as the president of a number of theological institutions over the years. He’s a scholar and theologian, professor and preacher, and currently serves as the president and CEO of AgathonEDU educational group. Dr. Cone has also written, contributed to, or edited over a dozen books, one of which is a study in the biblical book of Ecclesiastes, the topic of our conversation today.
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Dr. Christopher Cone serves as President and CEO of AgathonEDU Educational Group and leads Vyrsity and Colorado Biblical University. Dr. Cone has served as a President (Calvary University, Tyndale Theological Seminary), a Chief Academic Officer (Southern California Seminary), and as a Research Professor (Vyrsity, Colorado Biblical University, Calvary University, Southern California Seminary). He has served in several pastoral roles and has also held teaching positions at the University of North Texas, North Central Texas College, and Southern Bible Institute. His articles are published on his website and he is the author and general editor of more than fifteen books.
Josiah has served the Oakridge Bible Chapel family as one of its elders and one of its pastoral staff members since September 2018, before which he ministered as an associate pastor to a local congregation in the Canadian prairies. Josiah's desire is to be used by God to help equip the church for ministry, both while gathered (edification) and while scattered (evangelization). He is married to Patricia, and together they have five children—Jonah, Henry, Nathaniel, Josephine, and Benjamin.