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Makers of the Modern Theological Mind
Soren Kierkegaard
Book by Duncan, Elmer H.
155 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1976
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
April 9, 2018
I read "Fear & Trembling" when an undergrad, and now wanted a nice overview of Soren Kierkegaard's life & work, before tackling other titles by & about this provocative Danish philosopher & culture critic (1813-1855). This book written by Elmer Duncan (with a chapter by D. F. Walker) helps readers understand Kierkegaard's principal philosophical & theological insights and their ongoing effect on current religious thought. It is part of the classic Makers of the Modern Theological Mind series, recently made available by Hendrickson Publishers. Generally acknowledged as one of the great thinkers of the nineteenth century, Danish philosopher Soren Kierkegaard has often been named the father of existentialism, as twentieth-century existentialism (Sartre, Camus, Marcel, Jaspers) appropriated his insights, stressing human experience, freedom, and the commitment to an authentic life. Contemporary theology (e.g., Barth, Bultmann, Bonhoeffer, Tillich) can hardly be understood without reading him. In this overview, Elmer Duncan helps readers understand Kierkegaard s principal philosophical insights (by comparsion & contrast with key thinkers) and their ongoing effect on current philosophical & religious thought. Most of all, Duncan unveils a vivid portrait of a sincere Christ-follower who believed that the Christian faith is primarily a life to be lived rather than a doctrine to be learned. His focus was to help others become Christ-followers also. The Makers of the Modern Theological Mind series remains a helpful read for anyone eager to understand these theologians (Schleiermacher, Barth, Bonhoeffer, Bultmann, Tillich), and their impact on today's academy & church.
December 21, 2018
So this is the reason I keep books on my shelves for years!
Elmer Duncan's Soren Kierkegaard, is one of thirteen volumes of the Makers of the Modern Theological Mind series. I bought it more than thirty years ago, and with the exception of an occasional move or dusting of the shelves, it has sat with its lonely cohort mostly out of sight and out of mind.
Until . . .
Until Gordon Marino got me thinking about Kierkegaard while reading Marino's readable and insightful, The Existentialist's Survival Guide: How to Live Authentically in an Inauthentic Age. In chapter two, "Depression and Despair," Marino references Kierkegaard's Either/Or, and The Sickness unto Death. But it was Marino's reference to Kierkegaard's concept of "three sorts of selves" that piqued my curiosity and turned on the light above that quiet volume sitting on my shelf.
Duncan's book has been helpful to me. He sketches Kierkegaard's life (1813-1855), showing the profound influence of his father (which Marino also cites). He also contextualizes Kierkegaard's work by locating the philosopher/theologian/poet in the context of Kant (1724-1804), Hegel (1770-1831), and Sarte (1905-1980).
Do I "get" Kierkegaard? Well . . . much better than I did. I've come to appreciate the difference between aesthetics and ethics in a Hegelian and Kierkegaardian discussion. It makes sense and gives meaning to Kierkegaard's title, Either/Or. In an earlier day I would have criticized Kierkegaard's "Leap of faith." But that is because I did not understand it in it's philosophical and theological context. I understand it better now. In fact, I will use it.
As Sarte noted, "man's existence precedes his essence." That means we can and must choose. I chose to read Duncan's work. I am glad I did.
Elmer Duncan's Soren Kierkegaard, is one of thirteen volumes of the Makers of the Modern Theological Mind series. I bought it more than thirty years ago, and with the exception of an occasional move or dusting of the shelves, it has sat with its lonely cohort mostly out of sight and out of mind.
Until . . .
Until Gordon Marino got me thinking about Kierkegaard while reading Marino's readable and insightful, The Existentialist's Survival Guide: How to Live Authentically in an Inauthentic Age. In chapter two, "Depression and Despair," Marino references Kierkegaard's Either/Or, and The Sickness unto Death. But it was Marino's reference to Kierkegaard's concept of "three sorts of selves" that piqued my curiosity and turned on the light above that quiet volume sitting on my shelf.
Duncan's book has been helpful to me. He sketches Kierkegaard's life (1813-1855), showing the profound influence of his father (which Marino also cites). He also contextualizes Kierkegaard's work by locating the philosopher/theologian/poet in the context of Kant (1724-1804), Hegel (1770-1831), and Sarte (1905-1980).
Do I "get" Kierkegaard? Well . . . much better than I did. I've come to appreciate the difference between aesthetics and ethics in a Hegelian and Kierkegaardian discussion. It makes sense and gives meaning to Kierkegaard's title, Either/Or. In an earlier day I would have criticized Kierkegaard's "Leap of faith." But that is because I did not understand it in it's philosophical and theological context. I understand it better now. In fact, I will use it.
As Sarte noted, "man's existence precedes his essence." That means we can and must choose. I chose to read Duncan's work. I am glad I did.
July 29, 2023
A helpful overview of the Danish philosophers influence on 20th century theological reflection. Duncan delves into the existentialism of Kerkegaard and paints the backdrop of the writer's reaction to Danish Lutheranism that was deeply influenced by Hegel.
I still find Kierkegaard challenging to interpret so I welcome this short work. He undoubtedly was a major influence on a wide array of intellectuals from Barth to Sartre and Bultmann.
I still find Kierkegaard challenging to interpret so I welcome this short work. He undoubtedly was a major influence on a wide array of intellectuals from Barth to Sartre and Bultmann.
February 27, 2019
A comprehensive overview of the thoughts and influence of Kierkegaard, without having to read all of his books :)
August 2, 2011
I understood about five percent.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews