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Can a person prepare to become a Christian? A Kierkegaardian response

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 July 2016

ANDREW B. TORRANCE
ANDREW B. TORRANCE*
Affiliation:
St Mary's College, The School of Divinity, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Fife, KY16 9JU, UK
*
e-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

Is it possible to prepare oneself to become a Christian? For Kierkegaard, there is no straightforward answer to this question, especially since such a transition depends upon a divine activity that is outside the realm of human control. Despite the challenge that this question poses, Kierkegaard's writings do provide us with a way to respond, and this response will be the subject matter of this article. Following an analysis of his position, this article will conclude that, although Kierkegaard recognizes that there are precedent ways of existing that are more conducive to becoming a Christian, it is not helpful to describe them as preparatory.

Type
Articles
Information
Religious Studies , Volume 53 , Issue 2 , June 2017 , pp. 199 - 215
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Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2016 

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