From Despair to Faith: The Spirituality of Sren Kierkegaard

by Christopher B. Barnett

Sren Kierkegaard has been called many things, from brooding genius and "melancholy Dane" to the father of existentialism. Yet, rather than clarify the nature of Kierkegaards writings, such labels have often obscured other important aspects of his authorship. Such, indeed, is the case with Kierkegaards standing as a spiritual author. In From Despair to The Spirituality of Sren Kierkegaard , Christopher B. Barnett endeavors to remedy this problem. He does so in two overarching ways. First, he orients the reader to Kierkegaards grounding in the Christian spiritual tradition, as well as to the Danes own authorial stress on themes such as upbuilding, spiritual journey, and faith. Second, Barnett maintains that Kierkegaards spirituality is best understood through the various "pictures" that populate his authorship. These pictures are deemed "icons of faith," since Kierkegaard consistently recommends that the reader contemplate them. In this way, they both represent and communicate what Kierkegaard sees as the fulfillment of Christian existence. In the end, then, From Despair to Faith not only offers a new way of approaching Kierkegaard's writings, but also shows how they might serve to illuminate and to deepen one's relationship with the divine.

Genres: Religion

215 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2014

Reviews

[Andrew Marr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Much critical study of Søren Kierkegaard is still skewed towards the pseudonymous writings, which gives a one-sided view that is doubly distorting as it is the works written under his own name where, in the main, SK expresses himself with what he called “direct communication.” Although much good insight has come of these critical writings, the most significant result is that SK’s spirituality remains largely unknown and not taken into account. This fine book is an important, essential antidote to the one-sided problem.

To begin with, Barnett sketches the background of Christian spiritual writers that influenced SK, such as Bernard of Clairvaux and Thomas à Kempis and, most important, the German Pietist tradition that used these sources. An perceptive and balanced discussion of SK’s famous three stages (the aesthetic, the ethical, and the religious) follows. Barnett provides an effective argument for the integration of the lower stages into the higher ones to the effect that aesthetic sensitivities remain important in spirituality.

Most important is the probing discussion of “icons of faith” provided by nature and scripture that unfold in the Edifying (or “upbuilding”) Discourses. In nature, faith is illustrated by autumn and, most powerfully, by the lilies of the field. The icons from the Bible are Job, Jesus, and “The Woman Who Was a Sinner” (Lk. 7) The cumulative effect is to lead us to a profound awareness on our total need for God who is wholly Other, infinitely beyond all of our human projections on God. The definition of faith that emerges from these icons is: faith is “resting transparently in God.”

Anyone interested in Christian spirituality and anyone interested in SK should benefit greatly from the clearly-written and profound book that deepens immensely our appreciation of the profundity of SK’s spirituality

[Bryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so well written, and such a deep engagement and explanation of the core and goal of Kierkegaard's writing, that it was a rich and utterly enjoyable experience to read. As such it makes a great introduction to Kierkegaard, although more accurately a "summation" of the spiritual depths of "upbuilding" toward "resting transparently in Christ."