Bierkergaard: The Writings of Soren Kierkegaard

Soren writes that we need to be meek and humble before God, to receive the Word implanted, which saves our souls. We thus conclude Upbuilding Discourse #7, “Every Good Gift.”

Soren, citing Jesus, reminds us in our giving of good gifts that we are yet and still evil (Matthew 7:11 & Luke 11:13). This often tarnishes even our best intentions and the effects of the good gifts. Only God gives 100% pure good gifts, His Word and Wisdom, to resist temptation and evil, and implant the Truth in our souls and lives. We cannot be both the problem and the cure by ourselves alone. W...

Soren writes, “What happened at the beginning of days is repeated in every generation: the consequences of the fruit of the knowledge could not be halted,” Sin is like a serpent. Smooth talk and then suffocation.

Soren writes, “And yet there is no hiding place in the whole world where trouble will not find you…so then, be earnest with yourself; fix your eyes upon Job.”

Job faced the loss of everything clearly. He didn’t romanticize the past but neither did he deny that God had been good to him. Soren develops these ideas in depth. This podcast is dedicated to the memory of Lucy Kirkman and her essay, “What If Tomorrow.”

Soren emphasizes that Job is thankful that the Lord gave. Job, in this way, reminds us that God gives us everything we have. And that ultimately, everything in this world will be taken away. Only that which is done for eternity will last.

Job teaches us not only by what he said but also by what he did. He worshiped God in his trials and tribulations. Giving us his life as an example. “The Lord gave, and the Lord took away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.”

We finish up Upbuilding Discourse 5 “Strengthening the Inner Being” and start 6, “The Lord Gave and the Lord Took Away. Blessed Be the Name of the Lord.” Soren’s writings about Job’s sufferings provide sustenance in hard times. We can lose everything but still have God.

The inner being, Soren writes, “Looks not at the gifts but the Giver.” God gives us Himself. So whether we have adversity or prosperity, or some combination, looking to the Giver (God) allows us to experience increased calmness and peace, even as our concerns increase.

A conversation with Jeremiah Miller (actor and writer of the play LEAP, the life and writings of Soren Kierkegaard). We also delve into Upbuilding Discourses 5 & 1.

This is a re-post due to a tech glitch. Both adversity and prosperity can strengthen the inner person through God’s Spirit.

Soren writes, of the Apostle Paul’s ministry, the power of this miracle: “To transform hardships into a witness for the truth of a teaching…is this not like making the lame walk and the mute speak?” We gain confidence that the Gospel transforms trouble into eternal Truth.

Spotify is doing some work on the podcaster side of its platform on Wednesday, when I typically do the podcast. So, I will do it on Thursday instead. You can listen to episodes on Wednesday, I just cannot do one. So, I decided to read the prayer at the beginning of Upbuilding Discourse #5 while also mentioning that the next podcast will be published Thursday.

We finish this Upbuilding Discourse of “Love Hiding a Multitude of Sins” with a revisiting of Jesus loving a woman who the religious men hated. And she learned to love Him and herself in the process. And to turn away from her past.

Soren brilliantly explains that love is not a blind and fanciful but fleeting feeling. It is sober-minded and sees sin clearly. Yet, love also forgives and extends grace. A paradox for sure which is the genius of Kierkegaard at his best in interpreting and applying Scriptural truth.

The love of power is idolatrous and destructive. The power of love (Love Will Hide a Multitude of Sins) is transformative and healing.

Love doesn’t deny sin but it does cover sin. That is, we express to others what God has given us. The grace to forbear and forgive. Soren develops this idea through the next two (of three) Upbuilding Discourses.

Trials ultimately can make us realize that we are not the captain of our souls. God is. Trials can humble us and make us willing to receive the Word implanted which saves our souls.

In the middle of our trials, at some point we need to be quiet, close our mouths, and listen to God. For the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness that God requires. We are not to be childish and throw a tantrum and/or be a jaded cynic with a hardened heart.

Soren expounds on the idea that God’s wisdom to us is His greatest gift. Wisdom for the streets and the public square. I got cut off at the end so this will be continued next week…

This first Upbuilding Discourse is about the “Expectancy of Faith.” We have faith in God that we will be welcomed by Him in Eternity after our life in this world ends. After both the temporal joys and sufferings cease.

Soren wants us to read his words aloud so as to bring his “cold thoughts into a flame.” In this episode, we delve into historical introduction to our new book “Eighteen Upbuilding Discourses.”

In this episode, I read the first two paragraphs of the Chapter 4: A Faith That Defies Self-Deception. And I riff quite a bit on the road-trip and how it relates to faith. Faith doesn’t mean a denial of reality. Instead, a seeing of things as they truly are.

I had the time and inclination to do an episode on the road based on the book “Excursions with Kierkegaard: Others, Goods, Death, and Final Faith” written by Edward F. Mooney. As we travel life’s road, don’t jettison empathy for others. Take time to feel for others. Brought to you by The Fig Tree: Coffee, Art & Music Lounge in the lovely town of Roseville, California. https://figtreecoffee.com/

We need to make time to stop and create silence. For Confession, and, for God to speak in the silence. It is the 11th hour. Do not delay and presume upon tomorrow. As mentioned, I may not do this weekly podcast again until I return from my U.S. road-trip the beginning of May. I might do some on the road but that is to be decided then and there. “Purity of Heart Is To Will One Thing” is now finishe...