In a world increasingly preoccupied with external validation and superficial measures of success, the question of authentic identity becomes more pressing than ever. Søren Kierkegaard, the Danish philosopher and theologian, argued that personal identity is not something we passively inherit or construct based on societal norms. Rather, it is discovered through a relationship with God. For Kierkegaard, true selfhood is inseparable from faith—a concept he explores deeply in The Sickness Unto Death.
Faith as the Key to Authentic Selfhood
Kierkegaard believed that every human being is a synthesis of the finite and the infinite, the temporal and the eternal. This delicate balance can only be harmonised through faith. Without a relationship with God, individuals are prone to despair—a disconnection from their true selves.
Faith, then, is not merely a religious belief but an existential necessity. It is through faith that individuals confront their freedom, acknowledge their limitations, and commit to becoming who they were truly meant to be. This process is neither simple nor painless; it involves what Kierkegaard famously described as the ‘leap of faith’—an act of choosing trust in God despite uncertainty.
Despair and the Lost Self
In The Sickness Unto Death, Kierkegaard describes despair as the sickness of the self. There are those who are unaware they are in despair—living inauthentic lives driven by social expectations. Others are painfully aware of their fragmented self, but feel incapable of reconciling it.
Despair, according to Kierkegaard, stems from a refusal to align the self with its source—God. Without this divine grounding, individuals either reject who they are or attempt to become self-sufficient, resulting in deeper alienation. Only through faith can one begin the journey toward reconciliation, healing, and wholeness.
Identity Rooted in Relationship
Unlike modern views that often frame identity as an individualistic project, Kierkegaard’s philosophy places identity within a spiritual relationship. To ‘be yourself’ in his view means to become the self that God intends you to be. This is not discovered through self-indulgence or self-reinvention, but through surrender, humility, and spiritual obedience.
True freedom and selfhood emerge when one entrusts their identity to God—accepting both divine love and responsibility. In doing so, individuals are no longer defined by societal pressures or inner fears, but by their purpose in relation to the eternal.
Living the Faithful Life Today
Kierkegaard’s insights remain profoundly relevant. In an age of curated social identities and constant comparison, his call to embrace faith as the foundation of identity offers a countercultural path to authenticity. By grounding the self in God rather than the shifting sands of culture, one finds stability, depth, and true meaning.
Explore More with Kierkegaard
To delve deeper into Kierkegaard’s thought on faith and identity, explore The Sickness Unto Death: A Modern Translation for the 21st Century at www.thesicknessuntodeath.com. This edition brings fresh clarity to his timeless reflections, making them accessible for today’s readers.
Finding one’s true self is not a matter of introspection alone, but of relationship—specifically, a faithful relationship with God. Kierkegaard reminds us that faith is not an escape from identity but the very path to it. In becoming faithful, we become fully ourselves.