Struggling with God

Dr Simon D. Podmore is Lecturer in Systematic Theology at Liverpool Hope University. He is author of Kierkegaard and the Self Before God: Anatomy of the Abyss (Indiana University Press) and numerous articles and essays in philosophical, pastoral, and systematic theology. He is also Secretary of the Soren Kierkegaard Society of the United Kingdom.

"... Podmore offers a groundbreaking development in kierkegaard Studies that shores up the constructive and inter-confessional work that can be done with the theological aspects of Kierkegaard's writings... Podmore rightly argues that in solidarity, Kierkegaard offers his theology of spiritual trial as a hope filled consolation to those who are otherwise tempted to despair..." Joshua Furnal, Reviews in Religion & Theology, Volume 21, issue 4, 2014"Simon Podmore is establishing a distinctive place within Kierkegaard studies and one which is promising a significant contribution to wider theological discourse [...] This is more than a book about Kierkegaard, it is also a reminder of the theological resources of Christian spiritual traditions."George Pattison, Theology, vol.117, issue 4, (2014)"A thoroughly-researched and carefully-presented book, Struggling With God merits attention from both Kierkegaardian experts and those with an interest in Christian spirituality."Myles Hannan, The Heythrop Journal, vol.55, issue 5, (Sept, 2014)... an excellent historical and constructive foray into one of theology's more problematic areas ... Kierkegaard scholars will recognize this as a helpful resource for presenting a full and careful accounting of this key aspect of his thought ...this is a very helpful resource for those interested in the Lutheran history of interpretation of spiritual trial, those researching a Kierkegaardian appropriation of Anfechtung, and those doing constructive work in the place of spiritual struggle in theological reflection.Joseph McGarry, Theological Book Review, volume 26, no 1, 2014"Podmore offers insightful discussion on the nature of our struggles with God. He helps demonstrate how, during those times where we feel we are fighting against God, we are, in fact, struggling against the things that keep us from God. ... [Struggling with God] would surely be of great interest to anyone engaged in comparative religious studies."-Matthew Newland, Graduate Studies, Philosophy, Dominican University College, Ottawa, Science et Esprit, Vol 69, Issue 2, 2017

• AcknowledgementsList of AbbreviationsIntroduction - Struggling with God: Towards a Kierkegaardian Theology of Spiritual Trial1. The Secret Struggle: Lost in Translation 2. The Old Devotional Books: Anfechtung in Tauler and the Theologia Deutsch3. Melancholia Coram Deo: Luther's Theology of Anfechtung4. God's Fire in the Soul: Anfechtung in Arndt and Boehme5. Before God in Secret: Temptation and Spiritual Trial in Kierkegaard I6. To the God-forsaken God: Temptation and Spiritual Trial in Kierkegaard I7. The Desire of Spirit8. The Temptation of Spiritual TrialIndex