Kierkegaard as a Christian psychologist

Kierkegaard is often numbered among those early influences on the modern discipline of psychology, but what exactly are his views, and what relevance have they for the Christian psychologist? This article investigates Kierkegaard's psychology and in particular, its Christian features and aims. We begin by discussing his theological anthropology, his view of the human self as a fundamentally relational being. Then we turn to his depth psychology, and consider the relation of sin to its psychological cousins-anxiety and despair. Next we consider his developmental view of the person, namely the three stages or spheres of existence. We conclude with a brief discussion about how Kierkegaard might benefit Christian therapeutic practice.