Kierkegaard's Question

The father of Christian existentialism, Soren Kierkegaard (1813 - 1855), consciously lived his entire life guided by the Spirit: so much so, that he became obsessed with one specific question - what was the difference between those who teach Divine Law and Christ Jesus. In other words, why would Zodiac (upon seeing Master Jesus in the Temples' Outer Court), feel that all of his questions had been answered ? An issue still requiring clarification in our dialogue as Spiritualists with traditional Judaism and modern Islam.

One of the ways Kierkegaard attempted to define this vital distinction was to contrast the career of the Ancient Greek philosopher Socrates with the ministry of Jesus in Nazareth. After all, Socrates was inspired by mysterious voices, led a virtuous life and had the penetrating vision of a truly gifted thinker. Yet Kierkegaard concluded that even these immense moral and intellectual qualities as a teacher were not enough to set him apart from other earthly sages. As a man, Socrates may indeed be exemplary, but he remained a recognisable figure. This insight further allowed Kierkegaard to grasp the fact that empirical questions require empirical answers, whereas existential questions demanded a living, breathing, solution. In which case, a teacher very different in kind from Socrates would be needed to reveal the Kingdom of Meaning. On this level, nothing less than a Saviour would be sufficient.

To explore these issues Biblically, it is interesting to recall the confrontation recorded in the Gospels between Pontius Pilate and Master Jesus. Certainly, for all his political experience, the Roman Procurator simply didn't comprehend the man in front of him. This, for spiritualists, continues to speak volumes because it demonstrates that the Revelation of saving-truth cannot be just another philosophical argument or point of information. It is the moment at which a human being embraces Essence in order to touch the Eternal. Therefore, even Pilates apparently rhetorical enquiry "What is truth?" merely reinforces the already unbridgeable divide between them.

The governor was deaf to anything Jesus had to say, but more significantly, blind to who Jesus was: God as man; the vehicle of Christ-consciousness responding to the human condition; a vanquished hero taking fear and frustration as His Cross. In this tragic encounter, worldly Roman wiles defeat themselves.

Ironically, Kierkegaard's question has been answered by the Spiritualist community more effectively than by the mainstream churches. Like him, we courageously contrast calculation to Scripture, and witness the works of Spirit on a weekly basis in our small, vibrant, assemblies. Perhaps this is why in the battle between ideas we stand firm on Zodiac's messages as a veritable testimony to the Way, and the Life Everlasting.