Johannes de Silentio
A false author whose name simply means, "John of silence." Silence ends up being a major part of this pseudonym's personality, since the book involves him analyzing Abraham's silent faithfulness to the "voice of God." Ultimately, this hypothetical point of view is defined by Johannes's praise of Abraham, even when faith compelled him to do something reckless and horrifying.
Abraham
The Biblical character whose story includes a voluntary sacrifice. God asks him to sacrifice his own son on the altar, so Abraham climbs a mountain to perform the sacrifice, without telling anyone. In the end, his faithful willingness is credited to him as "righteousness," and God spares his son—he was just testing Abraham. Kierkegaard explores the archetypal value of this story.
God
God is a concept in this book for the aspect of human experience that feels fateful or destined. Kierkegaard says that God is the force toward which each person feels obligated when they experience "fate." Johannes says that Abraham had faith in God, which helped him accept his fate in such a way that brought enlightenment and redemption. These ideas are theoretical, so perhaps that's why Kierkegaard uses a pseudonym; because the book is hypothetical and deeply religious. However, the philosophy is obviously intended seriously.
