A thread by Andy Rowell
Recommended: Kierkegaard: A Single Life (Zondervan, 2016) by Stephen Backhouse. A short accessible biography of Kierkegaard that made me want to pursue truth with a pure heart, obey Jesus, and read more Kierkegaard. Endorsements by Stanley Hauerwas and Rowan Williams. I learned (afresh) from Kierkegaard's father to talk with one's kids!
Poor Kierkegaard. What agony he lived in after spurning his true love! A lesson from Kierkegaard: Instead of making fun of the kid who is not good at sports, engage him in conversation. There may be some very interesting thoughts going on in there.
A very wholesome effect of reading Kierkegaard is the invitation to question whether the observed Christian religious behavior looks like Jesus. Søren Kierkegaard (1813-1855). Age 42.
Kierkegaard: A Single Life
By Stephen Backhouse (2016)
304 pp.
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Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900). Age 55.
I Am Dynamite!: A Life of Nietzsche
By Sue Prideaux (2018)
464 pp.
Both were creative, prolific philosophers. Both single. Both Kierkegaard and Nietzsche were rejected and suffered. Kierkegaard seemed to respond largely with mercy and joy, though also firmness; whereas Nietzsche wandered and squirmed in rage and misery. I felt sorry for and grateful for both of them. Kierkegaard fell in love with Regine, got engaged to her, broke it off, repeatedly rejected faithful Regine, insisted she move on (which she finally did), then journaled about his regular sightings of her on the street and in church for the rest of his life. Don't be like Søren.