What was the influence of the Danish philosopher and theologian Søren Kierkegaard on Karl Barth? Why was Barth so reluctant to acknowledge this influence? This essay wants to clarify some of the roots of modern theology by examining the influence of Kierkegaard on Barth.

The concern of this paper is with the Christian faith in its theological formulation. All attention is focused on the analysis of faith made by Søren Kierkegaard. The author considers also the nature of faith in the theology of Protestant orthodoxy and gives an orthodox critique of Kierkegaard.