Bierkergaard: The Writings of Soren Kierkegaard

“The world can be possessed by only possessing me…may it not be the world’s stratagem to lead a person to think that if he possesses the world that he is not possessed by it.” We end with a prayer of St. Augustine.

Soren calls Patience a “Poor Bird.” As compared to a bird that comes “parading and posturing.” Instead, “It comes like a soft breeze and the incorruptible essence of a quiet spirit. Patience is a poor art and yet it is very long.” Cultivating patience of soul is a lifelong endeavor, as we look to eternity versus this passing world’s adversities and prosperities. As a note, I’ll add another survey for you to assess the new microphone and audio quality of this episode. Correction: The Euphrates is in Iraq. I know that. I said Iran.

To gain one’s soul in patience. Soren writes, “Patience is a poor bird.” “It does not come parading and posturing but comes like a soft breeze and the incorruptible essence of a quiet spirit.” Also reviewed in this episode are the first 8 Upbuilding Discourses. P.S. My apology on the excessive background noise in the recording today. I was moving a lot more material around and the like. I will be more mindful of such in the future.

Soren concludes this Upbuilding Discourse: “The equality of love which lasts and is the only thing that lasts.”

We are most like Jesus when we give with an open hand, a pure heart, and a clear conscience, where we have no demands of reciprocation. Doing so greatly assists us when encountering feedback that is negative or apathetic. God blesses us spiritually.

Soren writes that we are to offer good gifts without lording it over the recipient. We are to be humble. We are just stewards. The gift then is from God. Not us.

Soren challenges us to use our talents not for worldly acclaim or deflecting criticism, but to genuinely do good in the world. Give without expectations of applause or avoiding boos, and let God take it from there. As mentioned, I will be on WITF-The Spark on November 3rd. I’ll be talking about my book “On The Edge: Transitioning Imaginatively To College” and will definitely be sneaking some Soren writings into the conversation. Pray that I am joyful.

Alan Torrance and Andrew Torrance joined us today to talk about their book (the podcast title) and the profound implications of Kierkegaard and Barth for the 21st Century Church and world, and the influence of Kierkegaard on Barth. This conversation is a theological tour de force with many implications for us as Christians in our present day as we peer into the future.

Soren writes in this Upbuilding Discourse #8 “the divine equality that like a fire burns ever more intensely in the difference without, however humanly speaking, consuming it.” We are to treat all people equally before God, despite the differences we have.

Soren writes that we need to be meek and humble before God, to receive the Word implanted, which saves our souls. We thus conclude Upbuilding Discourse #7, “Every Good Gift.”