Ecclesiastes 7 might be the hardest chapter in the book so far. For six chapters, the Teacher has been building trust with us, offering observations that, however cynical or dry, generally line up with the rest of Scripture. Then we hit chapter 7, and Qohelet seems to lose it. This chapter is part cynicism, part anger, part protest, part lament. It's the sound of a weary heart finally boiling over. Before we dig in, one reading principle matters more here than almost anywhere else in...

Ecclesiastes 7 is full of the real thing, ironic observations about how life is supposed to work and how it actually works. The Teacher has just asked, at the end of chapter 6, "Who knows what is good for anyone in life?" Chapter 7 is his attempt at an answer, built from a lifetime of watching the wisdom he inherited from his elders collide with reality.

Technology is a tool, and it can be used for good or for bad. A hatchet, a drill, or a hammer can all be used for creative, constructive purposes as well as causing harm and destruction. That’s how it is with most technologies, too. The internet has allowed for a lot of good to come about over the last 30 to 40 years. But much harm has also come along with it from those who would use the tech in nefarious ways. The same could be said for social media, streaming services, and platforms like...