In a world that constantly tells us to chase success, status, and self-fulfilment, it’s easy to assume that freedom means doing whatever we want—whenever we want. But Søren Kierkegaard, the 19th-century Danish thinker, saw things very differently. For him, real freedom doesn’t come from following the world’s script. It comes from something much deeper: faith in God.
Kierkegaard believed that true freedom isn’t about escaping limits, but about discovering the right ones. Without a relationship with God, we’re often ruled by fleeting desires, cultural expectations, or the fear of missing out. What looks like freedom can quickly become a kind of quiet captivity—where we’re constantly trying to prove ourselves or live up to someone else’s version of “success.”
The Illusion of Worldly Freedom
Modern life sells the idea that freedom comes from independence—career autonomy, personal branding, choosing your own path. But Kierkegaard pointed out that this kind of freedom often leaves us feeling more anxious and less sure of who we really are. We bounce between options, trying to keep our lives “open,” while struggling to feel truly grounded.
In contrast, faith offers a kind of freedom that isn’t shaped by trends or external pressure. It’s inward, honest, and built on trust. It frees us not to do whatever we want, but to become who we’re truly meant to be.
Why Faith Isn’t a Constraint
To many, the idea of faith sounds like giving something up—control, certainty, or even fun. But Kierkegaard saw it as the opposite. Faith, he wrote, is a bold leap: a decision to trust in something greater than ourselves. And that trust, paradoxically, is what sets us free.
In faith, we’re no longer shackled by the need to “have it all figured out.” We don’t have to be perfect. We don’t have to perform. We can live with purpose, even when life feels uncertain—because we know where our centre is.
Living Authentically in an Unauthentic World
Kierkegaard’s message still resonates today. Faith anchors us in a world that’s constantly shifting. It calls us to stop chasing approval and start listening to that still, small voice within. It invites us to live not for likes, but for truth. Not for comfort, but for meaning.
If you’ve ever felt like modern life offers everything except peace, Kierkegaard’s words are worth revisiting.
👉 Want to explore more?
Check out The Sickness Unto Death: A Modern Translation for the 21st Century at www.thesicknessuntodeath.com.
This accessible edition brings Kierkegaard’s timeless insights into a language and style fit for today’s reader.