Spiritual Writings: A New Translation and Selection – The Father of Existentialism's Devotional Essays on Subjective Experience

by Søren Kierkegaard, George Pattison

“By far the most profound thinker of the 19th century” —Ludwig Wittgenstein   “Kierkegaard’s great contribution to Western philosophy was to assert, or to reassert with Romantic urgency, that, subjectively speaking, each existence is the center of the universe.” —John Updike, The New Yorker   Harper Perennial Modern Classics presents the rediscovered spiritual writings of Søren Kierkegaard, edited and translated by Oxford theologian George Pattison. Called “the first modernist” by The Guardian and “the father of existentialism” by the New York Times , Kierkegaard left an indelible imprint on existential writers from Sartre and Camus to Kafka and Derrida. In works like Fear and Trembling , Sickness unto Death , and Either/Or , he by famously articulated that all meaning is rooted in subjective experience—but the devotional essays that Patterson reveals in Spiritual Writings will forever change our understanding of the great philosopher, uncovering the spiritual foundations beneath his secularist philosophy.

Genres: Philosophy, Christianity, Theology, Religion, Classics, Christian, Nonfiction

336 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2010

About the author

Søren Aabye Kierkegaard was a prolific 19th century Danish philosopher and theologian. Kierkegaard strongly criticised both the Hegelianism of his time and what he saw as the empty formalities of the Church of Denmark. Much of his work deals with religious themes such as faith in God, the institution of the Christian Church, Christian ethics and theology, and the emotions and feelings of individuals when faced with life choices. His early work was written under various pseudonyms who present their own distinctive viewpoints in a complex dialogue.

Kierkegaard left the task of discovering the meaning of his works to the reader, because "the task must be made difficult, for only the difficult inspires the noble-hearted". Scholars have interpreted Kierkegaard variously as an existentialist, neo-orthodoxist, postmodernist, humanist, and individualist.

Crossing the boundaries of philosophy, theology, psychology, and literature, he is an influential figure in contemporary thought.

Reviews

[Marian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just finished this one...wow. It will not be everyone's cup of tea, but for me it was a timely, powerful read. Kierkegaard drops some hard truths about love, sorrow, silence, anxiety, and gratitude - always gratitude. This is a man who lost most of his family by the time he was 25... He writes with conviction that will put you to shame, but with such kindness and compassion, it's like words from a friend. Read Fear and Trembling first - or even Works of Love - and then this, especially if you are going through some stuff.

[Lydia · Rating 4 out of 5]

As my "introduction" to Kierkegaard, this book was a welcoming read, a devotional of sorts - which dove deep into the Christian experience.

Although I benefited from this, and subsequently was inspired to read further writings by the author, the way the prose reads is troublesome at times. I'm not exactly sure whether that would be due to the translation or simply how the author communicates. It might easily be a turn-off for someone who would otherwise enjoy reading Kierkegaard.

[Jacob McClure · Rating 2 out of 5]

Despised this translation. The penguin classic of the lily and the field and bird of the air was way better. Still love Kierkegaard tho

[Aj Amster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Soren Kierkegaard restored my faith.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

These days, Kierkegaard is best-known for a series of formidable, densely-written philosophical works, penned under a variety of noms-de-plum as he posited and experimented with differing viewpoints without (perhaps) claiming them as his own deeply-held beliefs.

There is one set of writings that he always published under his own name - his "upbuilding discourses" or, as this edition has it, his "spiritual writings". These works are unflinchingly Christian and devotional, written in a sermon or teaching style for everyday believers.

Composed in a far simpler mode than his philosophical works, the upbuilding discourses still come from the same formidable philosophical mind and (his old penchant for wandering off into convoluted or pedantic asides notwithstanding) they are deeply penetrating and often quite beautiful, engaging the existential anxieties of humankind and bringing them face to face with close readings of the teachings and person of Christ.

The new translations by George Pattison (Oxford) make them even more accessible but certain allowances have to made (as usual) for Kierkegaard's 19th century voice (in terms of culture and writing style).

The selection of discourses in this book are divided up into three parts: 'The Gift' (four meditations on the phrase "every good and perfect gift is from above"), 'Creation' (six meditations on what we learn from the lilies and the birds) and 'Love' (six meditations on love).

My favourite discourse of all was one from the second part called 'Silence, Obedience and Joy' in which Kierkegaard rolls with the best of the contemplatives.

Some quotes from various places across the volume:

"...in the moment of choice God is present - not to observe but to be chosen."

" ...a genuine song of praise, hymn, or heavenly canticle is sung when we praise God with joyful and unconditional obedience because we cannot understand Him. This is the song of praise offered when you praise Him on the day when all the world's against you, when things grow dark before your eyes, when others find it easy to prove to you that God doesn't even exist, and when, instead of becoming self-important by *proving* that God exists, you humbly prove that you *believe* that God exists..."

"...love abides with us, and when everything grows confused, when our thoughts accuse us, when our anxieties rise up to declare us guilty, then love faces them down and says to us, 'Be patient. I shall remain with you and bear witness for you, and my testimony will yet overcome these confusions.'"

[Tamara · Rating 5 out of 5]

"If, on the contrary, you took time to listen more closely, what you would hear, astonishingly enough, would be silence, for monotony, too, is silence. When the evening silence rests on the countryside and you hear the distant lowing of the cattle or, far away, the homely voice of the farm dog, it cannot be said that this lowing or this voice disturb the silence: no, they belong to the silence and are in a secret and, to a certain extent, also a silent agreement with silence and thus augment it." (pg. 187)

There is so much beauty in this book.
There is also controversy.
But at the end, there is peace.

Dear Kierkegaard,
I pray one day
we can do lunch
in heaven.
T

[V. Sykes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good. Thanks, Connor.

4/5⭐️ due to slight repetitiveness, but that’s likely how everyone wrote back then.

Part I was 5/5, Part II and III were 4/5

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Kierkegaard at his most accessible and enjoyable. Almost easy reading...almost.

[Harry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Of the three Kierkegaard works I've read, this is the one that's the least good. It's got flashes of brilliance, but I don't know if it's a bad translation, or if Kierkegaard was rambling, or what. Every chapter seems to be a little tough to read - not because of the ideas, but because the writing is so all over the place.

Still, it's Kierkegaard. You're bound to have a couple "a-ha!" moments.

[Matt Sautman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Translated for a popular audience rather than an academic one, Spiritual Writings is also Christian-centric to the point that non-Christians likely will not find much from this book to be noteworthy outside of its second section. Christians and non-Christians alike, however, may find Kierkegaard’s thoughts on temporality and anxiety interesting. The vision of Kierkegaard present in snippets here reflects the epistemology of a white liberal who advocates for equality from a clear state of privilege, often presenting his own inferences as tautologies. Nonetheless, while Kirkegaard may fail to show readers in this collection how he knows what he asserts, that doesn’t mean this collection is irrelevant. However, theologians and devout Christians will likely take more from this book than I was able to in my read through.

[Forrest · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seems like I only review a book if I think it’s five stars, but this book will be a cherished one. It’s really hard these days to find writings that are deeply insightful AND positive, even joyful. It’s hard to read at times, he can be repetitive, but that is part of the lesson this book teaches. It’s not looking for the quick summation, though it is very quotable. The tone is very light while the subject matter can be dense. But the rays break through the clouds.

The lily and the bird
The lily and the bird
Have you heard?

[Ethan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of essays by Kierkegaard in which he does deep dives into particular texts in the New Testament in a way which will challenge the modern reader maintaining Enlightenment and post-Enlightenment assumptions.

The deep dives include James 1 about God as the giver of all good gifts; much is made of Matthew 6 and anxiety, really deeply exploring the birds in comparison to humanity; the end is near in 1 Peter 4.

Kierkegaard makes you uncomfortable, and his 19th century prose is dense and a slough at times. There's a lot here if you can plow through.

[Sammy Tiranno · Rating 4 out of 5]

In his spiritual writings, some might consider Kierkegaard’s style as a sort of lofty poeticism, but that would be wholly inaccurate. Rather, it’s a very purposeful and serious exegesis that attempts to fully thresh the truth from some pertinent Christian scripture. It’s a rather beautiful and fulfilling read.

[Jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

While many of Kierkegaard’s other works use irony and false voice, a lot of the passages found in this book is Kierkegaard speaking plainly about what certain Christian ideas mean. He spends pages elucidating a few verses in the Bible. This reads like a book of his sermons. This isn’t ironic Kierkegaard but what he seems to truly think and say.

[Ryle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kierkegaard’s incredible skill as a philosopher, theologian, and poet all come through in these beautiful discourses. He manages to be comforting and convicting at the same time and pull wonderful truths out of simple Bible verses. I absolutely loved his writing style and the subject of these unique discourses— I will absolutely be reading more Kierkegaard.

[AG Machado · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are so many good gems in this book. He has so many great illustrations that helped me understand his complex theological thoughts. The birds and the lilies section I will carry with me for the rest of my life. I’ve already worked hard to keep focusing on the present instead of being anxious on tomorrow. This is a life changing spiritual book!

[Andrew Warnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first Kierkegaard. Took me a while. This dude is way above my wavelengths, so I struggled with the descriptive feeling repetition. But each segment got better than the prior, and that last one on Love and Sin was incredible. May think about venturing on another of his down the road...

[J.R. Underdown · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two thirds of this book were kind of a slog to read, but that one third that was good made it worthwhile. Kierkegaard is a deep thinker and the ways he applies his mind to the Bible are interesting. Definitely not a book you should read when you're sleepy, though, or you'll likely miss much.

[Joe Sabet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Heard a lot about him being the “father” of existentialism but I found little here other than kind of a Montaigne-like exploration of phrases in the bible. Repetitive, preachy, a little original but not my cup of Joe.

[hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Precisely because a human being has the ability to speak, for this very reason the ability to keep silent is an art; and precisely because this advantage of his tempts him so easily, the ability to keep silent is a great art.

[Alex Peck · Rating 3 out of 5]

B- this took me quite some time, but I read it in bits and pieces. It’s a strong translation that is easy to follow (in terms of English) but still Kierkegaard at his core.

I just struggled with some of the repetition.

[Jonathan Gore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerful and profound. Take fate by the throat!

[Bradley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kierkegaard was always one of the philosophers I liked but never thought I would dive into deeply. I'm glad I picked up this book and read it from front to back because he is now one of my favorites.

[Samantha’s Little Library♡✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Firstly, I must say that I am speechless. Søren Kierkegaard is absolutely one of my favorite writers and philosophers when it comes to Christianity, and this book gave me so much to think about. While this work was rather complicated, I really enjoyed his meditations on love, creation, and all gifts that come from above, He who is the Father of Lights. ♥️

[Bryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful collection of sermons which serve to directly apply Kierkegaard's philosophical/psychological thought to the reader. As such they are indispensable to understanding the whole project of Kierkegaard, since this "application" was the ultimate purpose of his more indirect writings. The book must be read slowly - in fact the writing style forces one to do so, but it seems to be the case that "the medium is the message" in that regard since the reader is thereby forced to inhabit the spaces of such as the lilies of the field, the birds of the air, the woman who was a sinner, and Job in his afflictions, and in such vicarious experience is led from distraction and double mindedness to becoming the self which God intends us to be. Because of the ever-increasing business of our times, the book is especially antidotal for those seeking centering in relation to God, not to a creaturehood denying gnostic "spirituality," but to the embodied creaturely spirituality of authentic human existence made possible through God's grace provided in the incarnate Christ.

[Austin Seekins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Upon my second read through, I have come to appreciate this collection of writings. I will continue to, as in my first read, consider the lilies and the birds.

[Chet Duke · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a superb collection of Kierkegaard's reflections on biblical texts, surely drawing on his own personal experiences of these texts. Anyone who is skeptical about reading Kierkegaard should read this.

[Giovanni Generoso · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kierkegaard at his best.

[svarog]

Deep, heavy readings on grace and obedience by the Danish philosopher. This is the first work of his I have read, but from what I understand these essays are outside his usual wheelhouse. Every chapter takes a central idea from a biblical verse, then expounds on it, pulling it apart and running through its implications. At times it can be very repetitive because a lot of the verses bleed into each other. The overall theme of the book, in my view, is man's need for humility and contentment through the troubles that life gives us, always looking to creation for an example of how we are to live, and our need for the edifying power of repentance. It has certainly calmed my restlessness about my own search for meaning, reminding me that living in gratitude of the here and now can open my eyes to God's gifts and His purposes for me.