Requiring Love or Finding Loveableness
A particular excerpt in "Works of Love" (1847), a well-admired publication by Søren Kierkegard, got my gears turning. The more I entertain and mull over The Parable of the Two Artists, the treasure boxes of theological, philosophical, sociological, political, and psychological implications slowly crack open revealing their contents. The deep disclosures of humanity and the necessary power of the Gospel to transform sinful people into Divine artists of love become indispensable reflections. While these musings push my mental muscles to their points of failure, a familiar childlike excitement emerges, much like the moments of approaching the toy chest after a dentist/doctor's appointment.
“What is the difference between requiring love of the neighbor and finding lovableness in the neighbor?”
The Parable of the Two Artists
"Works of Love" (pp.156-157)
by: Søren Kierkegard
"Suppose there were two artists, and the one said, 'I have travelled much and seen much in the world, but I have sought in vain to find a man worth painting. I have found no face with such perfection of beauty that I could make up in my mind to paint it. In every face I have seen one or another little fault. Therefore I seek in vain.'
Would this indicate that this artist was a great artist?
On the other hand, the second one said, 'Well, I do not pretend to be a real artist: neither have I travelled in foreign lands. But remaining in the little circle of men who are closest to me, I have not found a face so insignificant or so full of faults that I still could not discern in it a more beautiful side and discover something glorious. Therefore I am happy in the art I practice. It satisfies me without my making any claim to being an artist.'
Would this not indicate that precisely this one was the artist, one who by bringing a certain something with him found then and there what the much travelled artist did not find anywhere in the world, perhaps because he did not bring a certain something with him! Consequently the second of the two was the artist."
Does this confront ideals you hold so dearly? Does this confront your perceptions of those you encounter on a daily basis - family, orphans, widows, disabled, strangers, homeless, refugees, ill, etc…?
Linus Nguyen is the founder of Of The Way Ministries and serves as lead pastor of Emmanuel Bible Fellowship (Houston, Texas). He has taught in, developed curriculum for, and written on the subjects of Biblical Studies, Theology, Discipleship, Spiritual Formation, Philosophy of Religion, Missions, Humanities, Rhetoric, and Communications at Secondary, Undergraduate, and Postgraduate levels. // Follow him on Podcast, YouTube, Pinterest, and Facebook.