Martin Luther saw lightning striking churches as God’s judgment on Catholic corruption. Our scientific age laughs at this understanding. But, why is the church the largest edifice in town? That can show a wordliness. Not faith.

Kierkegaard incisively delineates the relationship between Faith and Works. Perhaps the best I have ever read in a page or less. I talk about my recent trip to California to attend the memorial in the mountains of a dear friend who I have known for nearly 4 decades and ponder the passing nature of life in this world. This episode is only 40 minutes long. Some tech issues with the upload it appears.

Soren’s essay quotes the Epistle of James as a basis for his thoughts. James writes that we are to be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger. For the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness that God requires. I use Alexander the Great as an example. He conquered large swaths of the ancient world but could not conquer his anger. As a note, I will only use the Season number from here on in. Since the date the episode is published is enough for identification.

Soren, like James, wants us to not be a forgetful hearer of the Word. Like a man who looks at himself in a mirror and forgets what he looks like.

Catching up on what I am reading and shared an essay I wrote about silence.

Not really. Just an update on Bierkergaard.

Kierkegaard finishes "Training In Christianity" with the reminder of Peter's words of "Where else can we go?" God's plan and provision is Christ or nothing. That's it. I am very happy to finish this book. Soren hammered home the message and it took him over two hundred pages to do so. I am likely going to take a few weeks off before taking on another book. There is a chance that I will end the podcast for good. When I say that I am not wedded to Bierkergaard: The Writings of Soren Kierkegaard, I truly mean it. The second it no longer brings me joy, it is over. But, I am cool with continuing with it too at the present time. Just need a break.

Kierkegaard writes that Christendom creates admirers of Jesus much like a piece of art would and not followers. A related topic is whether art is a legitimate expression of the faith.

Kierkegaard uses the interaction at night between Jesus and Nicodemus to illustrate how a person of power, wealth, and position, fears man because of following Jesus. Nicodemus makes two more appearances in the Gospel of John. Once at the trial of Jesus where Nicodemus appealed to the Council to follow its own rules and also in asking for the body of Jesus to prepare it for burial. The last two stories show Nicodemus no longer was hiding in the dark.

Our guest today is Timothy Andrew McIntosh who has written a play "My Name is Soren Kierkegaard."

https://kierkegaardplay.com/about

We had a fun and interesting talk! Well worth a listen.