I know Kierkigard was an apparent Christian Existentialist, but I am having difficult merging the two beliefs in my own life.
2006-06-22 13:03:18 · 11 answers · asked by Starlight 5 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
Kierkegaard's great, keep reading him. Rudolph Mackey's "Kierkegaard: A kind of Poet" is pretty damn good
check out paul tillich (protestant), martin buber (jewish) and gabriel marcel (catholic)
William James' "Varieties of Religious Experience" is also very good
A more recent book that is dry and academic but very good on this subject is Merold Westphal's "God Guilt and Death"
if you want a literary investigation, check out Dostoyevksy's novel "The Brothers Karamozov" and J.D. Salinger's "Franny and Zooey"
Hope this reading list gives you some ways to approach your problem
2006-06-22 13:10:46 · answer #1 · answered by viking_transplant 3 · 11⤊ 3⤋
Why would you want to? Existentialists believe that life came from nowhere, means nothing, and proceeds nowhere? That has nothing to do with Christianity. As a follower of Christ, surely you believe that you were created by God for a purpose and will live and reign with Him in Heaven after you die. The clue is in the name. They merely "exist". True followers of Christ, which is what a true "Christian" is, don't just exist...they radiate life! Being a follower of Christ is an action thing. It's not enough to believe, you have to get involved. Try reading the book of James in the New Testament. Also, try Romans 8. If you identify with those, there is no room for Existentialist beliefs in your lifestyle. You are in my prayers. Don't let the philosophers and gurus of this world mess you up. Scripture has been around a lot longer and has been pr oven true in the lives of millions over the past centuries.
2006-06-22 23:55:23 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, but not a good one.
I like to think that a good existentialist can find a better purpose in life than to swoon over such a capricious god.
2006-06-22 22:29:25 · answer #3 · answered by Ranto 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Perhaps if you state what conflict it is you see it would be easier to answer it. I have no problem with Christian Existentialists or Christian Communists or Christian whatever.
2006-06-22 20:18:25 · answer #4 · answered by DramaGuy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Anyone answering yes probably isn't a Christian. To embrace Christianity you are accepting one path, and that you are not an equal to God. Moreover, the belief that all man is good to the core is a dangerous one, man is selfish to the core, the good in man comes from God.
2006-06-23 11:25:24 · answer #5 · answered by Scott B 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sure, but it requires you let go of modern christian views and philosophies. They suck anyway, even if you're not going to be an existentialist, I recommend you let go of them, or at least objectively reconsider them.
2006-06-22 21:21:04 · answer #6 · answered by zenasskickinmachine 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Whats an Existentailist?
2006-06-22 20:06:30 · answer #7 · answered by xcryblacktearsx 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I completely agree with Tenor1
2006-06-22 20:11:46 · answer #8 · answered by jesus freak 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah... dump Nietzsche and pick up a Bible.
The only answer to your question is in its pages.
Anyways, existentialism is tantamount to atheism and, if you hadn't noticed, atheism and Christianity are mutually incongruous belief systems.
So, yeah, well, that might help.
2006-06-22 20:09:47 · answer #9 · answered by Tenor1 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Kiekigard can be tough to grasp, I know. If you stick with it though you'll "get it" eventually.
2006-06-23 02:40:24 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋