Logos: A Journal of Eastern Christian Studies Vol. 52 (2011) Nos. 1–2, pp. 35–54 Eastern Elements in Kierkegaard’s Eighteen Upbuilding Discourses Michael Plekon Abstract 54) The author, having published on Kierkegaard for over thirty years, here surveys the Eighteen Upbuilding Discourses and in so doing gleans many thematic elements common to Eastern (particularly Russian) theology, especially kenosis, theosis, and Bogochelovechestvo. With reference to the thought of Elisabeth Behr-Sigel, Paul Evdokimov, Sergius Bulgakov, Lev Gillet, Nicholas Cabasilas, Seraphim of Sarov, and the Greek Fathers – including Irenaeus of Lyons – the author sketches simultaneously a vision of God in Kier- kegaard and a vision of Kierkegaard himself that both run counter to oft-heard notions of a despotic deity and a despon- dent Dane. Instead, what emerges from the Eighteen Up- building Discourses as well as the Works of Love is a God of love whose kenotic self-emptying is manifested in His limit- less goodness and eternal giving of every good and perfect gift from above. The author concludes with some reflections on Kierkegaard’s methods as a theologian, and here also certain features common in Eastern theological methods may be glimpsed.  Father in heaven! You hold the good gifts in your gentle hand. Your abundance is richer than can be grasped by human understanding. You are very willing to give, and your goodness is beyond the under- standing of the human heart, because you fulfill every