| Title: | The Love of Loves in the Song of Songs |
| Published: | February 28, 2019 |
| ISBN-10: | 1-4335-6253-7 |
| ISBN-13: | 978-1-4335-6253-2 |
| Category: | Christian Living |
| Retail Price: | $16.99 |
| Binding: | Paperback |
| Trim: | 5.25 in x 8.0 in |
| Page Count: | 208 |
The Song of Songs is an often confusing and controversial book of the Bible—but rich with meaning for those who understand the unfolding story of Scripture. How does this collection of love poems fit in with the rest of God’s Word, and what does it mean for us today? Guiding readers through the Song of Songs verse by verse, this fresh, practical explanation of a fascinating yet often misunderstood portion of the Bible will reveal important insights into romance, marriage, friendship, and human sexuality that are relevant today. This book speaks not only to those navigating romantic relationships, but also to those seeking deeper intimacy with Jesus, because it reveals how the story of love and marriage depicted in the Bible is a living picture of a Christian’s relationship with God himself.
Author:
Philip Graham Ryken (DPhil, University of Oxford) is the eighth president of Wheaton College. He preached at Philadelphia’s Tenth Presbyterian Church from 1995 until his appointment at Wheaton in 2010. Ryken has published more than fifty books, including When Trouble Comes and expository commentaries on Exodus, Ecclesiastes, and Jeremiah. He serves as a board member for the Gospel Coalition and the Lausanne Movement.
Product Details
Table of Contents
Prologue: I Love You Always, Forever
- You’re the One That I Want (Song 1:1–14)
- Underneath the Apple Tree (Song 1:15–2:7)
- I’m for You, and You’re for Me (Song 2:8–3:5)
- Royal Wedding (Song 3:6–5:1)
- Lovers’ Quarrel (Song 5:2–6:3)
- The Duet after the Fight (Song 6:4–8:4)
- Forever Yours (Song 8:5–14)
Epilogue: Happily Ever After
Acknowledgments
Discussion Guide
Notes
General Index
Scripture Index
Endorsements
“Phil Ryken is a master expositor of the Scripture, and he uses all his ability to beautifully unpack one of the most intriguing and difficult books of the Bible to understand—the Song of Songs. Historically, interpreters have read the book as either/or. It is either about human romance or about our relationship with Jesus. Ryken reads the book as both/and—both in its immediate historical context (about romance) and its whole canonical context (about the spousal love of Jesus Christ.) And of course, biblical wisdom about love and sexuality has perhaps never been as crucial and needed by the church as it is today. An important book for us all!”
Timothy Keller, Late Founding Pastor, Redeemer Presbyterian Church, New York City; Cofounder, Redeemer City to City
“The Love of Loves in the Song of Songs is a book that every serious Bible student will want. A thoroughly researched, insightful, and challenging treatment of one of Scripture’s most engaging and relevant books, written by one of our generation’s finest pastoral theologians!”
J. D. Greear, author, Gospel: Recovering the Power that Made Christianity Revolutionary and 12 Truths and a Lie: Answers to Life’s Biggest Questions
“Our culture is deeply confused about sexuality and marriage. Not coincidentally, it is equally confused about the God who created humanity for a committed, exclusive, loving relationship with himself. This book shows us the remedy in the Song of Songs, the divine love song that shows us how our human marriages ought to work and how they ought to mirror Christ’s passionate love for his bride. Ryken shows us how the song speaks to everyday relationships and, in doing so, how it points us to the One who made us for himself.”
Iain M. Duguid, Professor of Old Testament, Westminster Theological Seminary
“Phil Ryken looks at this neglected book of the Bible, Song of Songs, on its own terms and with wonderful gospel awareness. He presents a truly thrilling vision of human sexuality along with the lover’s heart of God himself. It has had a deep impact on me already and I’d love for you to benefit from it too.”
Sam Allberry, Associate Pastor, Immanuel Nashville; author, One with My Lord
“After reading The Love of Loves in the Song of Songs, I will never read this biblical book in the same way again. Ryken skillfully weaves into each passage God’s wisdom about both the magnificence of human marriage and the romance of our redemption. I can’t think of any Christian—single or married—who wouldn’t benefit from this book.”
Jani Ortlund, Executive Vice President, Renewal Ministries
“Here is a book of costly value for both single and married people! I have been blessed to read this, and through Ryken’s exposition I see how the Word made flesh in the Song of Songs is brighter and more wonderful than I imagined. Ryken’s call for obedience to Scripture’s authority is convicting, but we are given hope and help as we read. He says that this Song ‘operates simultaneously on at least two different levels,’ teaching us about Christ with his bride, which speaks to what a truly godly marriage can be, and how all of us in the body, single or married, are his true bride.”
Valerie Elliot Shepard, author, Pilipinto’s Happiness and Devotedly: The Personal Letters and Love Story of Jim and Elisabeth Elliot