Bierkergaard: The Writings of Soren Kierkegaard

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.”

Soren, citing Jesus, reminds us in our giving of good gifts that we are yet and still evil (Matthew 7:11 & Luke 11:13). This often tarnishes even our best intentions and the effects of the good gifts. Only God gives 100% pure good gifts, His Word and Wisdom, to resist temptation and evil, and implant the Truth in our souls and lives. We cannot be both the problem and the cure by ourselves alone. Without God.

Soren writes, “What happened at the beginning of days is repeated in every generation: the consequences of the fruit of the knowledge could not be halted,” Sin is like a serpent. Smooth talk and then suffocation.

Soren writes, “And yet there is no hiding place in the whole world where trouble will not find you…so then, be earnest with yourself; fix your eyes upon Job.”