Arnold G. Fruchtenbaum: Ecclesiasties 9:5 is Employing Phenomenological Language and Not Teaching "Soul Sleep/Death"

  

. . . Ecclesiastes 9:5 does speak about the dead not knowing any thing, but the context of Ecclesiastes 9:5 is simply drawing the conclusion of human philosophy. Indeed, from the standpoint of human philosophy, under the sun, that is the way it looks (v. 6). But again, Ecclesiastes 9:5 simply spells out what human philosophy feels under the sun. It is not a divine decree; it is not a positive affirmation of the Word of God. (Arnold G. Fruchtenbaum, The Footsteps of the Messiah: A Study of the Sequence of Prophetic Events [rev ed.; Tustin, Calif.: Ariel Ministries, 2003], 713–14)

 

Further Reading:

Response to Douglas V. Pond on Biblical and LDS Anthropology and Eschatology