Reformed Covenanter
Cancelled Commissioner
What are the best audio or printed resources for defending the traditional view of the Song of Solomon? Also, what are most sober critiques of this viewpoint?
Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.
Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers.
What is the traditional view of the Song of Solomon?
Thanks, Jason. Although I am primarily looking for modern defences of the older Reformed position on the Song of Solomon, any links to earlier commentaries on this biblical book would be appreciated.
Daniel,
Iain D was the first name I thought of - here is a podcast from a few years ago on the subject which I think I remember was very good.
http://reformedforum.org/podcasts/ctc67/
I am just after reading Donald J. MacLean's article '"So great a love" - James Durham on Christ and his church in the Song of Solomon' in Confessional Presbyterian Journal 5 (2009), pp 239-55. This is an outstanding essay, which helpfully overturns the myth that the Song of Solomon was allegorised owing to the influence of Greek philosophy.
Dr MacLean mentions some other essays that should be useful:
Iain D. Campbell, 'The Song of David's Son: interpreting the Song of Solomon in the light of the Davidic covenant', Westminster Theological Journal, 62, 1 (2000), pp 17-32.
Hugh Blair, 'Preaching from the Song of Solomon' in Reformed Theological Journal, 9 (1987), pp 47-58.
Maurice Roberts, 'Samuel Rutherford: the comings and goings of the heavenly bridegroom' in The trials of Puritanism: papers read at the 1993 Westminster Conference (1993), pp 119-34.
For example, in Iain Campbell's article above, he is arguing not for an allegorical interpretation but a typological one.
I would commend Chas. D .Alexander's study of the first chapter who has leant on
Dr Hengstenberg's commentary, which is resident in the British Museum. Tragically
Alexander' treatment was never recorded fully and so not printed. I believe someone in Canada
has put his works on line. Dr Gill, who preached 112 sermons on the Song has certain similarities
to Alexander. Dr Campbell's viewpoint I feel has aspects of conjecture and speculation.
Dr Lloyd Jones stated that it is the most neglected book in the Bible.
It is a book directly addressed to the Church and we ought to give a more earnest heed to it.
Dr Owen uses it as the basis of communion with Christ, and heavenly Sibbes sermons on the book
likewise.
I am not convinced that the Song of Songs is an allegory, like the Pilgrim's Progress, where every detail is intended to teach spiritual truth rather than having any foundation in history. I find that approach almost inevitably ends up in free association somewhere, even though the truths being taught may well themselves be biblical and profound (Christ does come between the testaments, after all). But I am nonetheless convinced that like the rest of Scripture, the Song has profound things to teach us about our relationship with God as well as with our spouses, or as single people.
So it would be better just to say that it isn't allegorical but it is history that is divinely typological? And then would you say that Solomon and the Shulamite woman are clear types of Christ and His bride?
So it would be better just to say that it isn't allegorical but it is history that is divinely typological? And then would you say that Solomon and the Shulamite woman are clear types of Christ and His bride?
Thanks Robert lol.have often thought that myself, but you can take the wrap if fellow PBers renounce it as Heresy
So you see it as more allegorical than typological? based on your first statementI can accept that He is used by the Holy Spirit to write not of himself, but of another, for a greater than
Solomon is envisaged.
I kinda lost you on this point.I find it hard to accept that Solomon who had 300 wives and 700 concubines could lecture me on
the love that should pertain between husband and wife. That was reserved for Paul to deal with
in his letter to the Ephesians, and there shows the connection of the 'great mystery' of Christ and
the church.
I find it hard to accept that Solomon who had 300 wives and 700 concubines could lecture me on
the love that should pertain between husband and wife.