A Conversation Between Jesus and Kierkegaard

On a Friday after a federal holiday, A.C. Ham, the creative, albeit tired, writer, sat down between two historical figures to conduct her final interview. The first figure was, of course, Jesus of Nazareth, indisputable Son of the living God and Savior of the world. The second was a new guest, the philosopher Kierkegaard.  

[Begin Transcript] 

Kierkegaard: Jesus! It is wonderful to finally meet you! I have pondered the nature of faith and the individual’s relationship with God. In my writings, I often speak of the ‘leap of faith’ — the idea that true faith requires a personal, subjective commitment beyond rational evidence. How do you view this concept? 

Jesus: Abigail. 

There’s a shuffling sound as the interviewer jumps in her seat. 

Ham: Yes, Lord? 

J: What is your opinion? 

H: On faith? 

J: On it requiring commitment beyond rational evidence. 

H: I’d say it’s true. Peter only needed to see You walk on water before he stepped out of the boat. 

K: But that’s evidence in and of itself, isn’t it? He knew he could because Jesis did. 

J: Yes. What if there was no proof of results ahead of time? Should a person then step out in faith? Is that a necessary part of the Christian walk? 

H: I’d still say yes. Churches call people to come forward to the altar despite not having yet received their miracle. That’s an act of faith beyond rational evidence... Although perhaps the evidence of past miracles stands as evidence. 

There’s a pause as the interviewer thinks. 

H: But based on my own life, I’d say yes. I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for a commitment that went beyond rational evidence. I never wanted to be in college or be called to something like this... but I am, so beyond reason, I obeyed. 

J: Yes and so have countless others. When the woman with the issue of blood needed healing and she heard I had the power what did she do? 

K: She reached out and touched the end of your cloak. 

J: Even though no one told her it would work. 

K: Do you think that faith requires people to do what is beyond rational evidence? What if it gets taken too far? 

J: Faith requires obedience to the Father. And sometimes the Father asks us to do things that don’t make sense to the mortal mind. Countless people have taken things too far in my name—legalism, ritual sacrifices, cults and crimes, sins and selfishness—but those who know my voice, know what is right. They know when to obey, when to act, and when to trust even if the action itself seems foolish. 

K: But if faith requires this type of obedience—obedience that pushes one to do something irrational at the prompting of the Father—what of those who are disobedient? Are they no longer saved? 

Jesus sits back in His seat. 

J: How do you perceive it? 

K: If A scientist trained frogs to jump whenever they saw a blue light and the first frog felt the need to hop whenever it saw a blue light, but another didn’t, that doesn’t mean the second frog is any less of a frog than the first. It just means that the second frog was less trained and obedient. 

Jesus considers this argument for a moment. 

J: And what if the second frog stopped hopping altogether? What if it was perfectly able to, but it simply gave up hopping? Would it still be a frog? 

K: I’m not sure. 

J: Right. These things are never clear. 

Jesus rises to leave. 

K: My Lord! But what is the answer? 

Jesus turns, giving a small smile to the philosopher. 

J: Not everything has an answer here on this earth. But there will be a day, my friend, when all will be revealed. And it’s coming soon. 

With this, Jesus leaves. 

K: And when is soon? 

Ham: Another unknown on this earth. But don’t worry, He’ll come back. He promised it. 

[It is here Ham turned off the tape recorder for the last time, ending the transcript and the interviews for the time being]