christian existentialism how does it differ?

[dms1972]

Hi,

How do christian existentialists differ from traditional christians.

If I recall from a book i used to have christian existentialists affirm the same tenets as traditional christians, but begin differently.

Would it be correct to say that christian existentialists exercise faith or choose to believe in the absence (as it seems to them) of revelation?

 

[St_Worm2]

This may prove to be useful.

Kierkegaard by R.C. Sproul​

 

[Sarah G van G]

It seems to me (from reading this pdf http://www.existentialchristianity.net/ECexistentialcommunication.pdf ) that the difference is that existential Christianity is about doing rather than knowing. Or that it is about both but that doing is more important than knowing. My conclusions may be wrong so maybe someone smarter than me can read it and comment. It is an interesting subject.

''Since God forgives on an existential basis, and we show love to God existentially, it is apparent that the practical receives a much higher place in Christianity than the theoretical. The purpose of Existential Christianity, however, is not merely to privilege the practical and subordinate the theoretical. Instead, it answers the fundamental questions of life, religion, and theology in the existential level of our existence. Questions like “How do we attain forgiveness from God?”, “How do show God that we love him?”, “What is the important parts of Christianity and what isn’t?” can all be answered with the existential both truthfully and scripturally. The essence of Christianity lies within our existence in the world, and not the intellectual contemplation within our mind. In Conclusion, Christianity is an existential communication. It is expressed to others existentially, and is expressed to God existentially. The measure of a Christian is not piety or theological understanding, but rather his imitation of Christ''

Edit: Silly me, now that I went to the site the pdf came from I see this so I think my conclusions were basically correct.

Existential Christianity

''My name is Timothy Neal, and I have established this website in order to explore the idea that Christianity is an existential communication. The existential has been ignored in Christianity for centuries, and it is my hope to continue the work of Soren Kierkegaard and other Christian Existentialists in locating the essence of Christianity in our existence within the world. Thus, in an Existential Christianity; doctrine, dogma, and systematic theology becomes sub-ordinated. The existential ideals that Jesus espoused should be the core of any Christian philosophy, and the true way to follow Jesus.''

 

[dms1972]

This may prove to be useful.

Kierkegaard by R.C. Sproul​

Thanks for that, I haven't looked at yet, but will hopefully do so. I did see some vintage Sproul talks on existentialism a while ago, I presume this is newer material

 

[dms1972]

It seems to me (from reading this pdf http://www.existentialchristianity.net/ECexistentialcommunication.pdf ) that the difference is that existential Christianity is about doing rather than knowing. Or that it is about both but that doing is more important than knowing. My conclusions may be wrong so maybe someone smarter than me can read it and comment. It is an interesting subject.

''Since God forgives on an existential basis, and we show love to God existentially, it is apparent that the practical receives a much higher place in Christianity than the theoretical. The purpose of Existential Christianity, however, is not merely to privilege the practical and subordinate the theoretical. Instead, it answers the fundamental questions of life, religion, and theology in the existential level of our existence. Questions like “How do we attain forgiveness from God?”, “How do show God that we love him?”, “What is the important parts of Christianity and what isn’t?” can all be answered with the existential both truthfully and scripturally. The essence of Christianity lies within our existence in the world, and not the intellectual contemplation within our mind. In Conclusion, Christianity is an existential communication. It is expressed to others existentially, and is expressed to God existentially. The measure of a Christian is not piety or theological understanding, but rather his imitation of Christ''

Edit: Silly me, now that I went to the site the pdf came from I see this so I think my conclusions were basically correct.

Existential Christianity

''My name is Timothy Neal, and I have established this website in order to explore the idea that Christianity is an existential communication. The existential has been ignored in Christianity for centuries, and it is my hope to continue the work of Soren Kierkegaard and otherand quotes Christian Existentialists in locating the essence of Christianity in our existence within the world. Thus, in aldn Existential Christianity; doctrine, dogma, and systematic theology becomes sub-ordinated. The existential ideals that Jesus espoused should be the core of any Christian philosophy, and the true way to follow Jesus.''

Thankyou for link, quotes

Yes Kierrkegaard I think said that 'it is so hard to believe, because it is so hard to obey'.

I was wondering if say a person starts from themselves, with no belief in God, and trying to make sense of things comes to the conclusion that the world is absurd, then in the face of that affirms God's existence, could that be called existential theism, or am I confused? Such a person might think 'when I think through things this world is absurd and it seems like there is no God, but I am going to make the effort to believe in the face of that, that there is a God'

 

[Sarah G van G]

Umm, well I read this: The philosophy that encompasses the absurd is referred to as absurdism. While absurdism may be considered a branch of existentialism, it is a specific idea that is not necessary to an existentialist view.

Søren Kierkegaard, although religious himself, declared faith in God to be absurd, since it is impossible to know God, or to understand His purpose.


So if absurdism is a branch of existentialism and Kierkegaard is considered to be pretty much the first existentialist then I guess someone coming to believe in God through absurdism would be an existential theist.

But: Kierkegaard also stressed that individuals must choose their own way without the aid of universal, objective standards.

I figure that everyone is free to choose for themselves whether they are an existential theist or not, haha.

Also, I basically have no idea. I am a cleaner and I got thrown out of school when I was 15 years old I really had fun looking into this though!

 

[St_Worm2]

Thanks for that, I haven't looked at yet, but will hopefully do so. I did see some vintage Sproul talks on existentialism a while ago, I presume this is newer material

Here's the lecture you're probably referring to: Existentialism by R.C. Sproul

Unlike the more recent one (the one I just posited above: Kierkegaard by R.C. Sproul) this one focuses on the secular/atheist side of existentialism and on existentialists like Nietzsche. An excellent pair of short lectures actually

This is an important subject for all of us to consider and understand, both the Christian and the Atheist sides of existentialism actually, so I'm very glad you broached it

Yours and His,
David

 

[dms1972]

Umm, well I read this: The philosophy that encompasses the absurd is referred to as absurdism. While absurdism may be considered a branch of existentialism, it is a specific idea that is not necessary to an existentialist view.

Søren Kierkegaard, although religious himself, declared faith in God to be absurd, since it is impossible to know God, or to understand His purpose.


So if absurdism is a branch of existentialism and Kierkegaard is considered to be pretty much the first existentialist then I guess someone coming to believe in God through absurdism would be an existential theist.

But: Kierkegaard also stressed that individuals must choose their own way without the aid of universal, objective standards.

I figure that everyone is free to choose for themselves whether they are an existential theist or not, haha.

Also, I basically have no idea. I am a cleaner and I got thrown out of school when I was 15 years old I really had fun looking into this though!

thats ok, your contribution to the discussion is welcome, there's book knowledge and knowledge from life (of course one may not be wise in that either, I am not sure I am). I am hoping (probably in vain) for some expert on Kierkegaard and existentialism to be on forums. Truth is I have half a dozen books on it and they should be sufficient.

My difficulties arise somwewhat of reading Francis Schaeffer first and hes critical of SK, and keeps saying Biblical faith is not faith in the way Kierkegaard understood and wrote about it, and I am trying to see if thats the case.