Kierkegaard and the Self before God: Anatomy of the Abyss

Acknowledgments

preface xxv I was fortunate to have the wonderful guidance of Dr. Murray Rae, who managed to pull me out of the more abyssal moments of my research and writing and remains an inspiration to me. During my time at King’s College the Research Institute in Systematic Theology was thriving under the leadership of the esteemed Prof. Colin Gunton. The passing of this great British theologian in May 2003 had an enormous impact on all of his colleagues and students , among whom I number myself. I have been blessed by many great teachers in my life, the first among whom was David Harbertson who was an incredible embodiment of theological and philosophical education. As an undergraduate in theology at the University of St. Andrews, I became particularly indebted to Prof. Daphne Hampson and Prof. Alan Torrance, whose friendship and guidance I am proud to have to this day. The colorful world of Kierkegaard studies has afforded me many great friends, mentors, and colleagues. In particular I would like to thank Prof. Hugh Pyper, Prof. George Pattison, Dr. Leo Stan, The Søren Kierkegaard Society of the United Kingdom, and the late Roger Poole (1939–2003). Much of the work for this book has been supported by visiting scholarships and a research fellowship at the Howard V. and Edna H. Hong Kierkegaard Library, St. Olaf College. I am grateful for the warmth and generosity of Prof. Howard Hong (1912–2010) and Edna Hong (1913–2007). All who pass through the Kierkegaard Library will also understand the extent of the gratitude that I extend to Prof. Gordon Marino and Cynthia Lund. I would also like to thank my colleagues and students at New College, University of Edinburgh, where I had the pleasure of being a Teaching Fellow in 2009– 2010. I would like to thank Dee Mortensen and the series editor, Prof. Merold Westphal, along with the anonymous reviewers of this book at Indiana University Press for their encouragement and insight. Indiana University Press acknowledgments xxvi preface currently publish many of the finest works in the contemporary interface between philosophy and religion, and I am proud to have my own work in such company. David L. Dusenbury also did a superb job in copyediting the typescript. I am grateful for his significant literary and philosophical talent. Any awkward sentences that persist are due to my own stubbornness rather than any oversight by him. Finally, I would like to thank the following, for reasons that go beyond what can be disclosed in this space: Katie Townend, Prof. Alex Marr, James Rankine, and, never to be forgotten, Sarah Walton. xxvi kierkegaard and the self before god xxvi acknowledgments ...