Kierkegaard Quotes

“Given his emphasis on human freedom it is no wonder why some champion Kierkegaard as the father of existentialism, a philosophy that prices choice as the central feature of human existence and emphasizes the importance of defining oneself. For Kierkegaard, however, freedom and choice are not radical, as they are for some existentialists, and this can be seen in two ways. First, if humans are created beings, then freedom itself is a condition of being unfree with regard to one's very existence. Second, we often use our freedom in ways that lead, oddly enough, to a loss of that very freedom.”
― Mark A. Tietjen, Kierkegaard: A Christian Missionary to Christians

“Much of the apathy we express toward those we would describe as hopeless can be tied back to a failure of faith in the truth that these creatures bear God's image as I do.”
― Mark A. Tietjen, Kierkegaard: A Christian Missionary to Christians

“The practical consequence of Kierkegaard's depth psychology means that when I look at myself in the mirror, or when I contemplate my greatest achievements, or when I ponder my sin, or when I think of what's possible for me to accomplish, or when I consider the limits to my freedom, I ponder myself through God or with God in view.”
― Mark A. Tietjen, Kierkegaard: A Christian Missionary to Christians

“Having placed himself on the level of the world for humans to choose between, God nevertheless stipulates that a choice must be made, human freedom must be exercised. There is no neutral position, no way to avoid the choice of God or the world. In other words, a failure to choose God is no different from choosing against God. 'If God has lowered himself to being that which can be chosen, then a person indeed must choose - God is not mocked'. For Kierkegaard this caveat buttresses two important theological convictions. God can be loved freely through a choice. And yet, however one chooses - even if one thinks one can abstain - God's power is honored because a choice is nevertheless made.”
― Mark A. Tietjen, Kierkegaard: A Christian Missionary to Christians

“Having placed himself on the level of the world for humans to choose between, God nevertheless stipulates that a choice must be made, human freedom must be exercised. There is no neutral position, no way to avoid the choice of God or the world. In other words, a failure to choose God is no different from choosing against God. If God has lowered himself to being that which can be chosen, then a person indeed must choose - God is not mocked'. For Kierkegaard this caveat buttresses two important theological convictions. God can be loved freely through a choice. And yet, however one chooses - even if one thinks one can abstain - God's power is honored because a choice is nevertheless made.”
― Mark A. Tietjen, Kierkegaard: A Christian Missionary to Christians

“For God is the source of all good things, some directly (as with the Old and New Testaments), and some indirectly (as with philosophy). But it might be that philosophy was given to the Greeks immediately and directly, until such time as the Lord should also call the Greeks. For philosophy acted as a “custodian” to bring the Greeks to Christ, just as the law brought the Hebrews.10”
― Mark A Tietjen, Kierkegaard: A Christian Missionary to Christians