Bierkergaard: The Writings of Soren Kierkegaard

I used the song "Drowning Man" by U2 to show the profound difference between Christendom, which is some Dialectical System of Principles which have made accommodation with the world, versus Christ, the God-Man, who offers us His Hand and His Peace.

As Soren writes in today's reading: "He humbled Himself and was swaddled in rags." The God-Man is a paradox and Faith in Him is not the result of mere historical knowledge. It is the belief fundamentally that He is who He says He is. That Faith is as contemporary now as it was 2000 years ago.

Kierkegaard strongly affirms that until Christ returns in glory, Christians are called to live as he did. In humility. For in humility, we will find rest for our souls.

"He (Jesus) went, in sooth, the infinitely long way from being God to becoming a man, and that way, He went in search of sinners." The Grace of God. The Weight of Glory, as C.S. Lewis phrased it in his essay. BTW, "In Sooth" means "Truly."

Rituals and Religious Observances often become part of the problem rather than providing any relief. They are fine in their place but no amount of ritual and rites provides forgiveness. Just one more burden to bear. Come to Jesus and find rest for your souls.

"Oh, wonderful! That it is this very Helper who invites all." So Soren writes of Jesus, who says, "Abide with Me, for in abiding with Me there is rest."

Soren begins "Training In Christianity" with an exposition of the verse where Jesus promises to give rest, to those who are heavily burdened. As the Suffering One, he knows our troubles and is well-acquainted with grief. Yet, as the Eternal One, he is able to give us rest for our souls. That promise is as fresh and valid as it was 2,000 or so years ago when Jesus first said it. Rest connotes slowing down and stopping at his feet. Going slower is generally better for our souls. Don't rush. Be observant. Take time to walk. No sense in running to the grave. Appreciate the moment. Don't pass it by.

Today we finish the General Introduction. Hooray! My voice had a frog in it all podcast that I could not shake. Just a head's up. Soren was emphatic that he was claiming no moral superiority compared to the Danish Church. He, as a Christian, was a work in progress just like all of us. That is what "Training" and "Practice" presupposes. He wanted Christendom to confess that it had made a compromise with the world. God's grace requires that honesty. And honesty brings healing.

Worked through the Preface and began the General Introduction today for Training In Christianity. It has been an interesting review of the background of this last book written by Kierkegaard.

We are almost finished reviewing the timeline of Soren's life including the writing and publication of "Training In Christianity." Soren writes, "What is able thus to inspire individuals to sacrifice everything, to venture life and blood, must be truth. This is the proof which is adduced for the truth of Christianity."