Monday, February 23, 2009

Virtue of the Absurd

This tribute to Abraham, Kierkegaard opens up with is amazing. Like it did for Cameron, this text engulfed myself emotionally; it is like I was there witnessing this event taking place. The ‘virtue of the absurd’ is quite astonishing; the way he uses this virtue and connects with it with faith is awesome. That faith takes over when one knows nothing.

Correct me if I am wrong, but in his chapter of preliminary outpouring, he is making a criticism of people who do not want to labor for the fruits one desires. One of the passages he writes concerning theology and philosophy on page 27, “It is said to be difficult to understand Hegel but to understand Abraham is a small matter. To go beyond Hegel is a miracle but to manage Abraham is the easiest thing of all…then probably he (Hegel) himself has not been entirely clear…When I must think about Abraham, I am virtually annihilated.” This is what he wants his readers to realize, that theology sells us Abraham as if it were no big deal; as if what he did, anyone of us in the same situation would do. But this is not the case. This really made me think, because when I have read the bible in the past and reflected upon stories, faith occurred to me, but not in the way Kierkegaard brings light to it. To have faith to the degree Abraham possessed, especially in today’s world would almost seem improbable. Abraham was willing to sacrifice everything that God had promised, in order to be obedient to God. The name ‘virtue of the absurd’ seems very much fitting for the situations in which he talks about.

Excellently, richly , and extraordinarily written, I am very excited for the remainder of Kierkegaard, and look forward to the discussions we will be having.

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