Kierkegaard and Spirituality: Accountability as the Meaning of Human Existence (Kierkegaard as a Christian Thinker

by C. Stephen Evans

We live spiritually when we live in the presence of God. The Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard is often read for his contributions to Christian theology, but he also has much to offer about spirituality—both Christian and more generally human.  C. Stephen Evans assesses Kierkegaard’s belief that true spirituality should be seen as the grateful recognition of our existence as gift. Spirituality takes on a Christian flavor when one recognizes in Jesus Christ the human incarnation of the God who gives us being. In this clearly written and substantive book a leading scholar on Kierkegaard’s thought makes Kierkegaard’s contributions to spirituality accessible not only to philosophers and theologians but to pastors, spiritual directors, and lay Christians.  The Kierkegaard and Christian Thought series, coedited by C. Stephen Evans and Paul Martens, aims to promote an enriched understanding of nineteenth-century philosopher-theologian Søren Kierkegaard in relation to other key figures in theology and key theological concepts.

Genres: Philosophy

224 pages, Paperback

Published October 29, 2019

About the author

C. Stephen Evans (b. Atlanta , Georgia) is an American historian and philosopher, he is one of the United States' leading experts on Søren Kierkegaard having published six books on Kierkegaard over 25 years. He is currently Distinguished Professor of Philosophy and Humanities at Baylor University. He holds a B.A. with High Honors (philosophy), from Wheaton College, an M.Phil. (philosophy) from Yale University, and a Ph.D. (philosophy) from Yale University.

He has won numerous awards, and reviews manuscripts for several university presses, including Oxford University Press, Cambridge University Press, Princeton University Press, as well as Harper and Rowe. He does the same for several academic journals. He was curator of the Howard V. and Edna H. Hong Kierkegaard Library. He has organized several major conferences. He served five years on the the editorial board for Kierkegaard Monographs and for the International Kierkegaard Commentary Series. He is a past president of the Society of Christian Philosophers and the Søren Kierkegaard Society.

Reviews

[Shanon Snyder · Rating 4 out of 5]

I gave this entry from Evans a 4/5 simply due to the fact that he spent so much time recounting what seemed to me irrelevant details of K’s philosophy of religion that didn’t have much to do with accountability as a virtue. However, the last chapter left me wanting to “have church” as it neatly wrapped Kierkegaards insight into human existence: we are accountable to a loving God, and this should bring us encouragement, not dread, since we are seen by a loving God who only wants our benefit and growth.

[Steve Penner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many people are familiar with the name Soren Kierkegaard and a few might know what his claim to fame is. This books gives an excellent overview of his writings on spirituality, both Christian and non-Christian (what the author calls Socratic spirituality). I learned a lot about Kierkegaard and found that much of what he believed is still alive and well in the evangelical church. The book is well worth the investment of time and attention.

[Jason Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good account of an important but difficult thinker. Kierkegaard believed life was only really lived in accountability to God. All else stems from this. His attack on comfortable Christendom is harsh and, as the author acknowledges, sometimes too harsh, but there is much here of value.