I assume that Luther has risen from the grave. For several years now he has been living among us but incognito; he has been observing the lives we le… - Søren Kierkegaard

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Engraved portrait of Søren Kierkegaard, facing right

I assume that Luther has risen from the grave. For several years now he has been living among us but incognito; he has been observing the lives we lead, has been scrutinizing everyone in this regard and me also. I assume that he speaks to me one day and says, “Are you a believer? Do you have faith?” Anyone who knows me as an author will see that I would perhaps be the one who might come off best of all in such and examination, for I have continually said, “I do not have faith” – I have expressed, as does a bird's alarmed flight before a storm, that there is mischief brewing here, “I do not have faith.” So I should say to Luther, “No, dear Luther, I have at least shown the respect of saying: I do not have faith.” However, I shall not press this, but, just as others call themselves Christians and believers, I, too, shall say, “I am a believer,” for otherwise what I wish to be cleared up will not be cleared up.

English
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About Søren Kierkegaard

Søren Aabye Kierkegaard (5 May 1813 – 11 November 1855) was a Danish Christian philosopher and theologian, considered to be a founder of Existentialist thought and Absurdist traditions. He wrote critical texts on organized religion, Christendom, morality, ethics, psychology and philosophy of religion, displaying a fondness for metaphor, irony and parables.

Biography information from Wikiquote · Portrait adapted from Wikimedia Commons, La Biblioteca Real de Dinamarca (Public domain / CC0)

Also Known As

Pen Names: Victor Eremita A Judge William Johannes de silentio Constantine Constantius Young Man Vigilius Haufniensis Nicolaus Notabene Hilarius Bookbinder Johannes Climacus Inter et Inter H.H. Anti-Climacus B Johannes de Silentio Constantin Constantius P. CH. Kierkegaard
Native Name: Søren Aabye Kierkegaard
Alternative Names: Kierkegaard Climacus Sören Aaby Kierkegaard

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