MacDonald believed that the height of fear is also its transcendent focal point. Biblical religion speaks of this fear as the “fear of God.” And when all of our common fears are successfully referred to this one “fear,” then all that remains is love and obedience to God. Thus, MacDonald distinguished between our common fears and the fear of the Holy. The former challenges the self to face and overcome the existential reasons that give rise to fear, the possibilities of personal diminishment and death. The latter perfects the courage that the common variety of fear demands of the self. And it
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