Francis Berger
  • Blog
  • My Work

The Answer to the Grand Inquisitor's Rebuke of Jesus

7/27/2022

3 Comments

 
In yesterday's post, I briefly explored the grand inquisitor's chastisement of Jesus for expecting too much from "weak and dishonorable" humanity and asked about the validity of the grand inquisitor's argument. 

Dr. Charlton provided a nail-head answer to that question in a comment today (bold and underlining added): 

The deepest truth is that Jesus made things extraordinarily *simple* - "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand" John 10: 27-8; and "believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name" (John 20: 31) - indeed, that simplicity is the problem.

So simple is Jesus's work and message, that people can't believe it, and insist upon something extremely complex.

They ask for some specific answer, argument and rule for every possible (and imaginary) question and eventuality. They ask for a cure to the world's ills, and demand a 'system' that will 'make' all Men into Christians.

Perhaps the special nature of *these* times is such that we may be able to shake free for centuries of obfuscation (as well as expedient or dishonest misrepresentation) and (re-) discover that simplicity - each for himself.

Of course, 'simple' does not mean 'easy' - but it does imply a straightforward, albeit tough, choice; which when made correctly will be followed by more such straightforward-tough choices.


To which I responded (some editing and additional words added): 

That's the answer.

People can't bring themselves to believe in the simplicity and straightforwardness of Jesus's message. They demand the Grand Inquisitor's coercive miracle, mystery, and authority model instead.

The further development of Christian consciousness hinges upon the (re)discovery of Jesus's simple, straightforward message and the straightforward, "tough" choices that follow.
3 Comments
Lady Mermaid link
7/27/2022 21:30:22

I will have the privilege to teach Sunday School to preschool aged children this fall. As I try to explain Christian concepts to children, I am reminded about how simple the gospel should be. A five year old can understand what Jesus did. Adults complicate things to the point of obscurity.

Perhaps this is what Jesus meant when he told His disciples they have to enter the kingdom as a child. If the Church had kept this truth in mind, we might have avoided the heartbreaking schisms of the past centuries.

Reply
The Continental Op
7/28/2022 03:08:18

'At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” '

--Matthew 11:25-30

The simplicity, there for children to see, but too simple for the oh-so-sophisticated.

And Jesus' yoke is easy, especially in the context of the heavy burdens the religious leaders of Israel (or the Grand Inquisitor) dumped onto people.



Reply
Whitney
7/28/2022 19:27:26

But that's the problem isn't it? It's too simple for the Great and Mighty. It's so simple that any person can find Jesus, rich or poor, educated or ignorant. That's why for 2,000 years the gnostics have reemerged in countless forms claiming Christianity is a mystery religion and only they have the key to its secrets. Over and over again, they create their own religion so they don't have to associate with the great unwashed. But there's no secret. It's all there, the whole crazy story, and it is kind of crazy, but that's it, believe it or not.

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Picture

    RSS Feed

    Blog and Comments

    Blog posts tend to be spontaneous, unpolished, first draft entries ranging from the insightful and periodically profound to the poorly-argued and occasionally disparaging.
     

    Comments are moderated. Anonymous comments are never published (please use your name or a pseudonym). 

    Emails welcome:

    f er en c ber g er (at) h otm   ail (dot) co m
    Blogs/Sites I Read
    Bruce Charlton's Notions
    Meeting the Masters
    From The Narrow Desert
    Synlogos ✞ Aggregator
    New World Island  
    New World Island YouTube
    ​Steeple Tea
    Berdyaev.com
    Adam Piggott
    Fourth Gospel Blog
    The Orthosphere
    Junior Ganymede

    Archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    July 2018
    May 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    November 2016
    June 2016
    March 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    July 2015
    April 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    October 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012

    Picture
    A free PDF is also available in My Work. 
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.