a harder way to love
In the mid-1800s, the young and brilliant Soren Kierkegaard challenged the rise of nihilistic philosophies beginning to sweep Europe while also being an outspoken critic of the timidity of the church enabling (or turning a blind eye to) the godless worldviews spurring eventual societal catastrophe. He worked to awaken the church and beckon all to a harder (but good) way to live. In Works of Love, he specifically wrote to boldly distinguish the immense differences between secular and Christian love. Kierkegaard argued that the worldly perspective of love provided nothing more than the lust-filled poetic ramblings of those ensnared by the slavery of selfishness; Christianly understood, the secular perspective of love is no love at all. Christianity, on the other hand, blossoms within the freedom found in Christ’s command to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:31). It can be argued that, in this work, he was specifically calling us all to a harder way to love.
This verse in particular served as the backbone for Kierkegaard’s work with him expounding on the amazing implications of what some consider to be a simplistic teaching; but, as he pointed out, this command requires the impartial pursuit of unconditional love of all regardless of potential personal implications. What’s more is that this impossible pursuit is the fulfillment of the law because love is the fulfillment of the law (Romans 13:10).
In his work, the discussion of the intentions of the law, and the truth that love (as well as Christ) is the fulfillment, presents a particularly interesting interpretation for personal application. He argued that, when one is inevitably feeling burdened by the requirements of the law, the only course of action is to direct all efforts of understanding to discovering the act of love to which the law is pointing. This is because, as he argued, the law is but a sketch of love. It cannot perfectly present love; only Christ is the fulfillment because God is love. But, the law makes its ardent attempt to sketch idealistic love. We, then, can return to our study of the law by seeking out the love hidden within its precepts.
While Kierkegaard is, today, still read and enjoyed by philosophers and graduate students, his work should not be lost to the dusty shelves of university libraries. He did not write for academics and elitists; again, he wrote to awaken the church to a higher and more difficult calling. Kierkegaard’s legacy and wisdom have stood the test of time and have been proven valuable. He’s still worth reading, and we should remember his wise teachings.
Kierkegaard, Soren. Works of Love. New York; First Harper Torchbook, 1962.