Analysis Of Dostoevsky And Kierkegaard s The Grand...

What does it mean to have faith? This is not a question of, do you believe in the teachings of your religion, but what is a true believer. Dostoevsky and Kierkegaard are two philosophers that extensively delved with great contemplation and introspection of what it means to be a Christian. Both of these philosophers took a critical microscope to the typical Christian teachings of how to be a â€Å"good Christian.† What both of these philosophers eventually deduced is that the traditional teachings of Christianity remove the person from from ever truly finding the meaning behind their faith; thus separating the devoted from the divine. For both Dostoevsky and Kierkegaard, to be a Christian is more than going through the motions of what the church leaders tell you, but to find out for oneself why they ultimately believe. To convey his notions, Ivan, the main character of Dostoevsky’s story, creates the character the Grand Inquisitor. The Grand Inquisitor is symbolic of the catholic church and the control they hold over the followers of Catholicism. In this story, the Grand Inquisitor is faced with Jesus Christ, whom has come back to earth for the second coming. In on particular instance, The Inquisitor challenges Christ by saying, â€Å"Didst Thou forget that man prefers peace, and even death, to freedom of choice in the knowledge of good and evil? Nothing is more seductive for man than his freedom of conscience, but nothing is a greater cause of suffering† (Dostoevsky, pg 12). To the