The Bible For Normal People [Bible] Episode 313: Pete Enns - Pete Ruins Song of Songs
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Nov 3, 2025 Dive into the Song of Songs and uncover why it's surprisingly included in the Bible. Pete Enns delves into its authorship controversies, historical context, and unique structure without a clear plot. Discover the tension between allegorical interpretations and modern feminist readings, along with the rich theological themes of love and mutuality. This exploration shows how the Song rehumanizes faith and celebrates the sacredness of desire, joy, and embodied love.
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Likely Late Composition Date
- The Song of Songs likely postdates Solomon and reads as late-period Hebrew with Persian loanwords.
- Scholars favor a Persian/Hellenistic date (4th–3rd century BCE) rather than Solomonic authorship.
Anthology Or Edited Unity
- The book may be an anthology of oral love lyrics later edited into a single text.
- Recurring refrains could indicate editorial weaving rather than single-author unity.
Allegory Secured Canonical Status
- The Song entered the canon largely because interpreters allegorized it as divine love.
- Rabbi Akiva and Church fathers defended its place by reading it as God–Israel or Christ–church imagery.
