Soren Kierkegaard is my type of guy.
Soren Kierkegaard is my type of guy.
I love the variety and types of Religious Podcasts available. At one time I would purchase inspirational CD’s and Cassette tapes from Tony Robbins or Zig Ziglar. They cost a pretty penny, back in the day.
Today, I can listen to all kinds of these lectures or discussions and they are free. The beauty of the information age!
This past week on “The Bible for Normal People” podcast, they interviewed Associate Professor of Philosophy at Furman University. J. Aaron Simmons, who shared a new definition of Faith, that I found helpful. It was based on a Philosopher/Theologian, Soren Kierkegaard.
Faith as Passion. Passion being your truth, and acting on that truth. What is true to you? According to this definition, no one is an atheist. We all aspire to our own truth. Our truth motivates us to act and live. Some of us are clear about our truth. Some may not think about it, but are living it each day.
Truth for some might be making it on the stage in Broadway. It could be earning a certain amount of money, or for others it could be getting a specific job. When you think about those examples, you realize that if I accomplish this “truth” or goal, what comes next? Kierkegaard challenges us to live beyond our goals. To be conscious of our living. To be conscious of our motives and goals. Are we living only for accomplishing goals, but for something deeper, not something that can necessarily be accomplished.
Passion for our truth is a way of being in our world as we accomplish our goals. The accomplishment is not the ultimate truth. The way we live, the words we use, our actions, when taken together, form the Passion we have in living our truth.
What does this do for me? Faith is not a set of beliefs, it’s a way of life. It’s a passion for living your truth. For Kierkegaard, we must work at knowing our truth and be passionate about living it. The totality of our lives has a focus, our truth. We need to be intentional and thoughtful about the way we live.
As a Christian, my truth is love. Living God’s love is a passion for me. I reflect often on what I read and watch on TV, what podcasts I listen to, as well as how I spend my down time. Do these actions reflect my passion in growing at Loving as God loves? Do I pass on falsehoods or speak about things I do not know? Do I sensor my words to be compassionate and understanding, considering the people around me? This type of living my faith with passion is a wonderful constant focus. This type of faith is all consuming.
Thank you Kierkegaard!