Bierkergaard: The Writings of Soren Kierkegaard
Eric Bierker Ph.D.
"The Father of Existentialism" Danish writer, poet, philosopher, and Christian thinker Soren Kierkegaard, has much to teach us about our lives. Join me weekly as we take on his writings and think about how his brilliant and profound insights illuminate our way in a complicated and confusing world. I contribute a considerable amount of my own processing of Soren’s ideas and add my own personal experiences. As Soren would wish his readers to do. This is spiritual insight and truth for the real world.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Dec 24, 2025 • 41min
From On High
Today, the episode goes further in-depth on the Kierkegaardian idea of not taking a risk is the greatest risk. Then, a bit of Training in Christianity is read. Finally, we end with an allegory of the King and the Maiden which shows the Incarnation in an imaginative way. All the blessings of the season!
Dec 17, 2025 • 45min
Humiliation & Exaltation
Soren establishes both the reality of Christ's Humiliation and His Exaltation. It is exaltation through humiliation. Both are required for an understanding of how God used what looked like overwhelming defeat for ultimate victory. An application of what this looks like in our own lives is explored.
Dec 10, 2025 • 40min
Forgetting and Remembering
Soren writes that to forget the regrets, sins, and vanities of our past, we need to look to Jesus. Those difficult memories must be replaced by something and someone greater. Look unto Jesus lifted up.
Dec 3, 2025 • 43min
Indirect Communication II
Soren continues to write about "Indirect Communication" so I named this episode Indirect Communication II. I am committed to reading Soren line-by-line so the repetition of themes are unavoidable. Hopefully, you as the listener still find new insights!
Nov 26, 2025 • 45min
Soul Sorrow
Soren writes about the internal "Soul Sorrow" of Jesus. The "Divine Incognito" obscures an inner sorrow of coming into a world broken by sin. One that the God-Man has been ordained to restore by His broken body. Lowrie suggests that Kierkegaard has soul sorrow in his breaking of the Engagement to Regine. While having an outward incognito of being the least serious man in Copenhagen.
Nov 19, 2025 • 43min
Indirect Communication
This episode, Soren writes quite a bit about "Indirect Communication" as a reality of Christ willing to be Incognito. The footnote comments by translator Walter Lowrie are helpful in this matter. Also discuss the ramifications of having a Theology of Exaltation versus a Theology of the Cross. How human beings can twist this into dangerous political movements. Using the sword to compel beliefs.
Nov 12, 2025 • 43min
The Divine Incognito
Jesus Christ, as the "Divine Incognito”, is the God-Man who willingly laid down the prerogatives of Deity to become a servant. Even to death on a cross.
Nov 5, 2025 • 49min
Sign of Contradiction
When coming to the "Sign of Contradiction" we will either respond in faith or be offended. The sign reveals the thoughts of the heart. The podcast episode was cut-off at 50 minutes by Riverside so it ends abruptly.
Oct 29, 2025 • 48min
Get Thee Behind Me Satan
"For thou mindest not the things of God but the things of men." Jesus to Peter. “A true friend expresses his/her views when the other person/friend is in evil paths." Soren. We all likely overestimate our courage when the test comes. Good to stay humble and pray that God gives us the strength to endure persecution and adversity because of our faith. If and when it happens. Soren does not dodge the hard teachings and words of Jesus.
Oct 22, 2025 • 44min
Specific Christian Suffering
"It is a whole musical tone deeper than common human suffering." Soren knew what it felt like to be mocked, derided, and dismissed, in his attempts to shake Copenhagen from its sleepy civil rectitude and Christendom. God uses the lowly and humble to confound the worldly-wise. Christ and His message is hope for those with faith and an insult to those who have not faith.
