Response on The Grand Inquisitor - Essay Example

The Grand Inquisitor The Grand Inquisitor by Fyodor Dostoyevsky explores the philosophical approach of human nature in regard to its freedom exercised in religious perspectives. Dostoyevsky (3) shows the coming back of Jesus Christ on earth where he does miracles of saving the people from their misery, pain and frustrations. However, the story reflects the savior of the people meeting opposition from the religious authorities of the church when the great inquisitor arrests Christ and takes him to prison.

He leaves the people he had been attending to hopeless, fearful and worried. This were the same people who really longed for the coming back of the savoir in regard to their torments and tribulations they had initially gone through, hence the coming back of Christ was a great relief to the people nevertheless, the church did not recognize and embrace it and went further to arrest Christ. This shows that the church doctrine has denied people the right to practice the true religion. In my opinion the parable suggests how the church has been used to articulate dictatorship and abuse of power in administering her duties and beliefs to her faithful.

It was ironical for the inquisitor to tell Christ that the church does not him any more. It makes one wonder ho the church that was founded on Christ philosophical principles to reach a time and renounce the same foundation upon which they were built on. (Dostoyevsky 17). Church doctrine has been used in this story as a symbol of the characters and behaviors witnessed around the world today which are contrary and oppressive to the teachings of religion. The church has been shown as an oppressor of humanity infringing and treading on the right of believers to adore and exalt Christ.

They are expected to follow the teachings and procedures laid down by the church fathers, contrary to it may lead to arrest and detention similar to Christ himself. This leaves the people hungry and unsatisfied spiritually since the waters they need to quench their spiritual thirst can not be able to quench the thirst they have in acquiring religious freedom. Therefore, the coming back of Christ was their ultimate redemption, but unfortunately the church authorities stood on their way of freedom by keeping Christ in detention.

The inquisitor informs Christ that his coming back would have a big negative impact on the church mission work and relates his rejection on the basis of Christ temptation by Satan in the desert. In my thoughts this parable suggests that the church has adopted satanic ways of operation and doctrine instead of the teachings of Christ. It’s worrying to indicate that the inquisitor informed Jesus that he did not to give humanity freedom arguing that it was too much for humanity therefore it is not necessary fro r man to have such freedom as he can not handle it.

The author was successful in making me feel that the church has lost its bearing in offering moral religious guidance to the society, and it c ant not be relied on as it has turned in to another political anarchy other than the spiritual and reflective mirror of the society. In philosophy, religion has been identified to a source of hope and red emption for the people and a voice to rebuke the society against the wrong doings and other injustices however, the author can make the reader conclude that the church is no longer a safe place to be, if not be associated with.

This creates a feeling that the church has lost its value and grading (Dostoyevsky 23).Work citedFyodor Dostoyevsky. The Grand Inquisitor. Washington D.C; Echo Library, Oct 30, 2006.Fyodor Dostoyevsky. The Idiot. Westminster; London: Forgotten Books, 1937.Fyodor Dostoyevsky. The Brothers Karamazov, Volume 2. Raleigh N.C; Hayes Barton Press, 1955.Lawrence Pearsall Jacks, George Dawes Hicks, George Stephens Spinks: a quarterly review of religion, theology, and philosophy. The Hibbert journal. Volumes 55-56, Jan 1, 1956.

John Sullivan Dwight. Dwights journal of music: Volumes 27-28 – 1867, Page 71.