Theology as Lived Experience: Unaligning and Embracing the Existential Journey
When you look into the depths of spiritual understanding, it is clear that theology is more than just a subject in school. It is a lived, existential reality that significantly impacts our lives. This idea comes from the philosophy of Søren Kierkegaard, who supports an experiential approach to theology. He says it should be a journey that challenges faith's established divisions and rules (Crites, 1972).
Kierkegaard’s Call to Experiential Faith
Kierkegaard, recognized as the father of existentialism, emphasizes the need for personal experience and choice in spiritual matters. He challenges the traditional confines of theological study, advocating for a faith that is not merely understood intellectually but experienced and lived in the daily nuances of life. This perspective invites believers to step out of established norms and engage with theology more dynamically and personally (Pattison, 2005).
Theology as a Personal, Unaligned Narrative
In Kierkegaard’s view, theology should be a fluid narrative that intertwines with an individual’s unique life story rather than a rigid set of doctrines. This approach encourages believers to explore their faith outside the traditional compartments of theology, allowing personal experiences and existential realities to shape their understanding and relationship with the divine. It’s about how God’s presence and guidance are discerned in the individual’s unique journey rather than adhering strictly to predetermined theological frameworks (Mooney, 2007).
The ‘Leap of Faith’: Embracing Uncertainty and Authenticity
Central to Kierkegaard’s thought is the ‘leap of faith,’ where embracing faith transcends rationality and doctrinal confines. This leap represents a move towards an authentic and personal engagement with faith, where existential uncertainties and individual experiences become integral to one’s spiritual journey. It’s a shift from viewing theology as a set of abstract principles to experiencing it as a living, breathing aspect of one’s existence (Kierkegaard, 1846).
Beyond Academic Theology: The Journey Towards Experiential Understanding
Kierkegaard urges moving beyond the academic study of theology to a more experiential understanding. This shift entails allowing personal experiences, doubts, and existential realities to inform and deepen one’s relationship with God. It’s an invitation to a journey where theology is studied, lived, felt, and wrestled with in everyday life (Pattison, 2005).
Living in the Tension: Integrating Theology into the Fabric of Life
Kierkegaard’s theology thrives in the tension between the ideal and the real. By embracing this tension, believers are encouraged to integrate their theological understanding into the fabric of their daily lives. This blending makes it possible for a deeper and more alive connection with God, not limited by old-fashioned theological boxes but shaped by a person's life experiences and the realities of being alive (Watkin, 2009).
Embracing Theology as an Existential, Unaligned Reality
In conclusion, Kierkegaard’s approach offers a transformative perspective on spiritual journeying, urging us to see theology as an existential reality that profoundly impacts how we live and relate to God. By embracing theology as a lived experience, we embark on a path that is intentionally unaligned from established theological compartmentalizations, allowing our personal and existential realities to enrich and guide our faith journey. This approach invites a profound transformation, a journey of authentic self-discovery, and a deeper, more dynamic relationship with the divine.
References
Crites, S. (1972). Kierkegaard’s Doctrine of Aesthetic Existence. Philosophy and Phenomenological Research.
Kierkegaard, S. (1846). Concluding Unscientific Postscript to Philosophical Fragments.
Kierkegaard, S. (1849). The Sickness Unto Death.
Mooney, E. F. (2007). On Søren Kierkegaard: Dialogue, Polemics, Lost Intimacy, and Time. Ashgate Publishing.
Pattison, G. (2005). Kierkegaard: The Aesthetic and the Religious. Palgrave Macmillan.
Watkin, J. (2009). Kierkegaard and the Existential Philosophy. Vox Humana.
