Editing Christian existentialism (section)

==The Bible==
Christian Existentialism often refers to what it calls the '''indirect style''' of Christ's teachings, which it considers to be a distinctive and important aspect of his ministry.  Christ's point, it says, is often left unsaid in any particular parable or saying, to permit each individual to confront the truth on his own.<ref>[[Donald D. Palmer]] (1996). ''Kierkegaard For Beginners''. London, England: Writers And Readers Limited. p. 25.</ref> This is particularly evident in (but is certainly not limited to) his [[parable]]s; for example in the [[Gospel of Matthew]] ({{bibleverse|Matthew|18:21-35|NIV}}). 
A good example of '''indirect communication''' in the Old Testament is the story of [[David]] and [[Nathan (Prophet)|Nathan]] in {{bibleverse|2|Samuel|12:1-14}}.{{Citation needed|date=March 2021}}

An existential reading of the Bible demands that the reader recognize that he is an existing [[subject (philosophy)|subject]], studying the words that God communicates to him personally. This is in contrast to looking at a collection of truths which are outside and unrelated to the reader.<ref>Howard V. Hong (1983). "Historical Introduction" to ''Fear and Trembling''. Princeton, New Jersey: Princeton University Press, p. x.</ref> Such a reader is not obligated to follow the commandments as if an external agent is forcing them upon him, but as though they are inside him and guiding him internally. This is the task Kierkegaard takes up when he asks: "Who has the more difficult task: the teacher who lectures on earnest things a meteor's distance from everyday life, or the learner who should put it to use?"<ref>Søren Kierkegaard (1847). ''Works of Love''. Harper & Row, Publishers. New York, N.Y. 1962. p. 62.</ref> Existentially speaking, the Bible doesn't become an authority in a person's life until they ''permit'' the Bible to be their personal authority.{{Citation needed|date=March 2021}}