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The Risk of Obedience: A Consideration of Kierkegaard's Fear and Trembling
Author(s) -
Rae Murray
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
international journal of systematic theology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.149
H-Index - 13
eISSN - 1468-2400
pISSN - 1463-1652
DOI - 10.1111/1463-1652.00021
Subject(s) - obedience , philosophy , faith , action (physics) , context (archaeology) , theology , epistemology , social psychology , psychology , history , physics , archaeology , quantum mechanics
This paper argues that Kierkegaard's defence of Abraham is in the first instance a polemic against the notion that the demands of faith are co‐terminous with the best insights of practical reason. It is further argued that while no justification of Abraham's action at Mount Moriah may be offered, he is nevertheless to be admired for trusting in God beyond the limits of his understanding. Such trust is admirable, however, only in the context of a long life of obedience and love.