Graduated in theology but never ordained, engaged to a girl but broke off the engagement and never married, Ren Aabye Kierkegaard was a man who lived entirely for thinking and writing. How could a man with a personal life that seemed so complicated and full of questions become one of the most important Christian theologians ever? Søren challenges conventional views of Christianity, offering profound and revolutionary interpretations from an existentialist perspective. Through his works, he invites us to reflect on the true meaning of faith and existence, presenting reflections that are relevant today.
Søren Aabye Kierkegaard was born on 5 May 1813 in Copenhagen. He was the seventh and last child of a wealthy landlord, Michael Pedersen Kierkegaard and Ane Sørensdatter Lund, a former housemaid and distant cousin of Michael Kierkegaard. This was Michael Kierkegaard's second marriage, which occurred within a year of his first wife's death and four months after Ane Lund's first pregnancy.
Michael Kierkegaard was a deeply melancholic and religious man, and carried a heavy burden of guilt, which he passed on to his children. Kierkegaard often complained that he had never had a spontaneous and carefree childhood, but felt he had "been born old." As a starving shepherd boy in the meadows of Jutland, Michael once cursed God. His surname comes from the fact that his family was under contract with the parish priest, who provided a piece of church farmland (Kirke) for their use. The name Kirkegaard (in the old spelling Kierkegaard) often means 'churchyard' or 'cemetery'. A sense of doom and death seems to have enveloped Michael Kierkegaard for most of his 82 years of life.
Despite a dramatic increase in material wealth, Michael Kierkegaard remained convinced that he had brought a curse upon his family. He believed that all his children were destined to die at the same age as Jesus Christ, 33 years old. Of his seven children, only two managed to survive past that age, namely Peter Christian and Søren Aabye.
At the age of 12, Michael Kierkegaard was summoned to Copenhagen to work for his uncle as a cloth merchant. Michael turned out to be a shrewd businessman and by the age of 24 had his own thriving business. He later inherited his uncle's fortune, and added to his wealth with several profitable investments during the state bankruptcy in 1813.
Michael retired at a young age and dedicated himself to the study of theology, philosophy, and literature. He bequeathed to his sons, Peter and Søren, not only material wealth, but also a keen intellect, deep guilt, and a never-ending burden of grief.
Michael retired at a young age and dedicated himself to the study of theology, philosophy, and literature.
Despite his father's wealth, Søren was raised with stern discipline. His daily appearance was far from luxurious and he dressed only as he was. This made Søren often experience ridicule from his peers. To avoid ridicule from his neighbours, he honed his intelligence and began to read other people's psychological weaknesses.
Søren was sent to the School of Civic Virtue (Borgerdydskolen), one of the best schools in Copenhagen, to receive a classical education. There, more time was devoted to learning Latin than any other subject. Søren excelled academically, especially in Latin and history, although his classmates said he struggled with writing Danish compositions.
This problem became apparent when Søren attempted to enter the Danish literary world as a writer. His early publications were filled with complicated German constructions and overuse of Latin phrases. However, he eventually became an expert in his mother tongue, becoming one of the greatest Danish stylists of his time alongside Hans Christian Andersen.
Kierk's habit of walking along the small streets of Copenhagen helped shape his way of thinking. In 1848, Kierkegaard wrote, "I feel real Christian satisfaction in the thought that, if nothing else, there must be one person in Copenhagen whom every poor person in the street can freely greet and talk to. There is a man who, no matter his social status, does not avoid contact with the poor. He still greets every female servant he knows, every male servant, and every ordinary labourer."
His father was pleased with the development of the life path he had taken. His father is ever-present in his works, appearing in stories of sacrifice, melancholy, and inherited guilt. He is portrayed as the archetypal patriarch and is even mentioned explicitly at the beginning of some of her writings. In contrast, Søren's mother is never mentioned, not even in her 1834 obituary.
However, his mother tongue is omnipresent in his work. In Concluding Unscientific Postscript(1846), Søren wrote that "the omnipresent person is to be recognised precisely because of invisibility," so we can speculate that the mother may be more present than the father, despite being invisible. Regardless of this speculation, the invisibility of his mother and the treatment of women in his writings suggest Søren's uncomfortable relationship with the opposite sex.
Søren began theological studies at the University of Copenhagen, later extending them to philosophy and literature. Initially, he felt hopeless and led an immoral life, even attempting to become a dandy. He had many debts that were eventually paid by his father. After her father died in 1838, Søren successfully completed her degree and seemed destined to become a minister in the Danish People's Church.
In 1840, before enrolling in the Pastoral Seminary, Søren became engaged to Regina Olsen. This engagement became the basis of the famous love story in his writings. However, Søren realised that he could not support a wife and children with the wealth his father had inherited. Søren's main justification for breaking off his engagement was his dedication to a life of writing as a religious poet, under divine direction.
Contemporary Lutheranism in Denmark saw a seamless continuity between man and God. Kierkegaard, a renowned philosopher and theologian, rejected this view. According to him, there is an infinite gap between God and man. He argued that there is a gulf between man's depravity and God's holiness.
This infinite gap, according to Søren, can only be bridged by God himself through Jesus Christ. He also described human beings as sinful creatures because of their limitations. In his view, "Without an awareness of sin, there can be no true Christianity."
Søren in his book "Practice in Christianity"joins in highlighting the core aspects of the Christian faith, particularly regarding the individual's relationship with Christ and the challenges of living an authentic Christian life. In this book he endeavours to separate what he sees as "nominal Christianity"or "Social Christian"of "real Christians"that truly follow the teachings and example of Christ. He emphasised the importance of "being a disciple" and not just "being a follower". For him the true Christian life is a constant struggle and demands self-denial and sacrifice. This is a far cry from what has been practised by KTP Christians, who are run by Lutheran churches.
On 2 October 1855, Søren collapsed in the street and suffered paralysis of the legs. He was then taken to Frederick Hospital. The illness was not entirely clear, but it was probably a spinal disease. During his forty-day stay in the hospital room, Søren forbade his brother, Peter, to enter. His friend, Pastor Boesen, visited him every day. Boesen tried to give Holy Communion to Søren, but Søren refused it.
When asked if he wanted Communion, Søren replied, "Yes, but not from a priest". He would rather die without receiving Communion than go against his own principles. Søren once said that the Lutheran Church should be abandoned as long as God is despised in the churches. According to him, "Pastors are royal officials, and royal officials have nothing to do with Christianity."
Soren died 11 November 1855, and throughout his life through his writings invited people to explore and reflect on the Christian faith in an introspective and existential way. He also challenged them to face doubts and uncertainties in their faith, and encouraged them to find a more authentic relationship with God. Not only that, Soren also offered spiritual guidance for those seeking meaning and purpose in their lives through his writings that are still relevant today.
