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Lee Barrett discusses the uniqueness and challenges of Kierkegaard's approach to theology. He examines Kierkegaard's explicit reflections on the appropriate way to engage in the theological task, as well as shows how the theme of God's "otherness" is held in dialectical tension with the theme of God's intimate love. Barrett discusses Kierkegaard's key reflections of the nature and purpose of human life as a paradoxical journey toward self-fulfilment through a self-emptying in which the self more intensively reflects God's self-giving love. He examines the works that describe sin as both a condition in which the individual is trapped and as a culpable act for which the individual must assume responsibility. Barrett explores Kierkegaard's thoughts on sin, his descriptions of Jesus Christ as the enactment in time of God's eternal self-giving compassion, his view of faith and his critique of culturally established Christianity as a form of fatal religious anaesthesia. This volume includes the following pedagogical features:- Each chapter contains its own introduction, explanatory notes, discussion questions and recommendation for further reading in both the primary and secondary literature- Includes links to Kierkegaardian texts provided by the Kierkegaard Research Center of the University of Copenhagen, the Howard and Edna Hong Kierkegaard Library of St Olaf College, as well as the resources of the Soren Kierkegaard Society
List of contents
Introduction: Kierkegaard’s Life, Writings, and Theological Context
Chapter One: Kierkegaard’s Unique Approach to the Doing of Theology
Selections from The Concept of Anxiety, Concluding Unscientific Postscript, Without Authority, and For Self- Examination
Chapter Two: God as the Source and Goal of Love
Selections from Eighteen Upbuilding Discourses, and Works of Love
Chapter Three: Human Existence as a Gift and as a Task
Selections from Fear and Trembling, Philosophical Fragments, Concluding Unscientific Postscript, and Upbuilding Discourses in Various Spirits
Chapter Four: Sin as the Derailment of Life’s Journey
Selections from The Concept of Anxiety, Sickness unto Death, Eighteen Upbuilding Discourses, and Upbuilding Discourses in Various Spirits
Chapter Five: Christ as Savior and Prototype
Selections from Philosophical Fragments, Christian Discourses, Upbuilding Discourses in Various Spirits, Practice in Christianity, and Judge for Yourself!
Chapter Six: Salvation as the Interplay of Faith and Love
Selections from Works of Love, Christian Discourses, Upbuilding Discourses in Various Spirits, Practice in Christianity, and For Self-Examination
Chapter Seven: The Church as a Gathering of Pilgrims
Selections from Two Ages, Christian Discourses, and “The Moment” and Late Writings
Conclusion: Kierkegaard’s Continuing Theological Importance
Bibliography
Index
About the author
Lee Barrett is the Stager Professor of Theology at Lancaster Theological Seminary, USA.
