Nova Ecclesiastica

By Blake Hamilton

NOVA ECCLESIASTICA is a post-modern, literary reinterpretation of the biblical book of Ecclesiastes. More than just a religious rewrite, Nova Ecclesiastica is written from the viewpoint of a 21st Century Solomon (the scholarly-assumed original author of Ecclesiastes). While the book makes no direct mention of that intended vantage point, it can be greatly felt through its contemporary style. Staying true to the original flow of the book of Ecclesiastes, Nova Ecclesiastica takes what was written thousands of years ago and modernizes it using a philosophical approach with current idioms. To all intents and purposes, to read Nova Ecclesiastica is to read the book of Ecclesiastes. However, to anyone who knows the original book, there will be some notable updates in Nova Ecclesiastica that may clash with some religiously traditional readers who see rewritten works of the Bible as blasphemous. There is no doubt that Nova Ecclesiastica will be controversial in some circles of readers.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Jul 29, 2016
• ISBN: 9781483576756

Book preview

inspired.

THE (QUEST)ION

The following words are from the mind of the seeker:

Do you want to know what life is? Do you really?

Shadows and illusions.

That’s all it is.

Nothing more, nothing less.

Life is one giant shadow game. Don’t be surprised when you finally get to the end of the game and find that you are the one left holding the bag. It’s just the nature of the game.

THE SHOW

Our planet is the auditorium for the greatest show on Earth. Keep in mind that the world has no shortage of seat fillers. As one gets up, there is always another waiting in the wing to take the empty seat. On and on it goes like this so just enjoy the show whenever you are lucky enough to find a seat.

The sun and moon play catch me if you can with neither one ever winning or losing. It’s just a perpetual game of orbits and shadows.

Even the wind erratically drifts back and forth in all directions like a drunk looking for his bed in the wrong house. Even the water on this planet is just as irrational as the air. However, in this case, the water is boringly predictable. Rain from the skies fill the lakes and rivers which flow into the seas without ever filling them up. The oceans merely hold the water until the sky takes it back only to start the process all over again.

It’s difficult to actually make sense of this crazy rock in space we call home.

Where’s the meaning? What is the point?

Without a point to all of this, it’s just a dull perpetual motion machine. Look at it, is it speeding up? Is it slowing down?

I can’t really tell but it looks pointless to me. Sure, it’s neat at first but eventually the magic begins to lose its novelty.

THE ECHOES

Look deep into this reality and recognize that it’s just one big pattern repeating itself over and over again. Is it getting bigger? Is it getting smaller? I can’t really tell but it’s boring.

Nothing is new or original here on Planet Repetition. It’s all just an echo of an echo of some other echo. Even the words you are digesting now are just the repackaged moans of a ghost. My bones are surely novelty dust by now.

Don’t lose your mind whenever you hear someone shout This has never happened before! or History is being made today!. You can be sure that whoever makes such an extraordinary claim has no idea what they’re saying or even a part of the full story, otherwise they would know to keep their overzealous mouths shut.

Only a few can even remember the events of yesterday well, yet many claim that they can clearly see what will happen tomorrow. Don’t be bothered by anyone making such claims about the future because as the past recedes, they too will soon be gone.

THE SEEKER

I am the Seeker. My school is mystery and my medium is life. I have made myself many people existing in many places. From the lowliest servant to the King, from sleeping on the banks of the Fiaro to the lush palace beds of the city of Peace. I have occupied everything in between. There is nothing that I haven’t done on this planet. My quest to know and experience everything there is to do here was insatiable but to write about it all would be an exercise of the mundane. To be honest, it’s not all that impressive.

I’m not sure what the architect of the Universe had in mind as he drew up the blueprints for Enterra (Earth). From my vantage point, it is remarkably complicated to try and understand this mysterious original plan. I’d have better luck getting a dog to comprehend quantum physics before I could fully grasp the intentions of the Creator’s plan for mankind.

It’s pointless!

To put it simply, life is a wrinkle that cannot be ironed out. An ocean that cannot be mopped up and a desert that cannot be swept.

The thought occurred to me that I am wiser than anyone who has come before me or anyone in existence at the time of this writing. Nobody has the arsenal of knowledge that I have given my life to obtain! However, it’s knowing that very thought that I feel totally ridiculous because I am obscenely out of my league here. I am the wisest man on Earth and I might as well be the dumbest. It would be more logical for me to think I can win a rock throwing contest with the asteroid belt than for me to claim glory and revel in the wisdom I’ve collected in the face of the great mystery.

THE PURSUIT

Listen up! Because what I am about to tell you is very important for you to understand.

Your