Kierkegaard and the Catholic Tradition: Conflict and Dialogue

Although S ren Kierkegaard, considered one of the most passionate Christian writers of the modern age, was a Lutheran, he was deeply dissatisfied with the Lutheran establishment of his day. Some scholars have said that he pushed his faith toward Catholicism. Placing Kierkegaard in sustained dialogue with the Catholic tradition, Jack Mulder, Jr., does not simply review Catholic reactions to or interpretations of Kierkegaard, but rather provides an extended look into convergences and differences on issues such as natural theology, natural moral law, Christian love, apostolic authority, the doctrine of hell, contrition for sins, the doctrine of purgatory, and the communion of saints. Through his analysis of Kierkegaard's philosophy of religion, Mulder presents deeper possibilities for engagements between Protestantism and Catholicism.

Jack Mulder, Jr., is Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Hope College. He is author of Mystical and Buddhist Elements in Kierkegaard's Religious Thought.