Re: Soren Kierkegaard on Faith and Reason

Megan R. wrote:

> Enormous treatises have been written that try to demonstrate the truth
> of Christianity. Behind these we feel perfectly convinced and secure
> against all attack. With every demonstration we end with: Ergo, Christ
> was the one he claimed to be. It is just as certain as two plus two
> equals four and as easy as putting one’s foot in a sock. With this
> irrefutable “ergo” the professor bids defiance, and the missionary
> confidently goes forth to convert the unbelieving. But not Christ! He
> never says: Ergo, I am the expected one. No, he says, “Blessed is he
> who is not offended at me.” That is, we do not come to him by means of
> proofs, but by picking up his cross. 
> 

Demonstrations are ultimately ambiguous, the loquacious understanding’s 
“for and against.” Only in choosing is the heart disclosed and this, 
indeed, was why Christ came to the world –to disclose the thoughts of the 
heart. Proofs are able to lead someone – not to faith, far from it, but to

the point where faith might come into existence. At best they are able to 
help someone become aware and come into the tension where faith breaks 
forth: Will you believe or will you be offended?