Christ returned to Earth in Spain during the 16th century Inquisition. The people of Spain recognize Christ by the miracles he performs and they shower him with adoration. Inquisition leaders arrest Christ and He is set to be executed the following day. The Grand Inquisitor visits Christ on the night He is arrested and proclaims that the church no longer needs him. He insists that his untimely return will interfere with the work that the Church is currently doing. The Grand Inquisitor tells Christ that He has placed man in a position of burden by allowing them to be free. According to The Grand Inquisitor, Christ decision to reject the three temptations of Satan gives humans too much freedom. The Grand Inquisitor does not believe that …show more content…
He believes that Christ resisted Satan because he wanted man to be free, but, according to the Grand Inquisitor, Christ made a mistake. Since man has the ability to choose, he will choose poorly and suffer as a consequence. The Grand Inquisitor views are paternalistic in that he believes it is best for the burden of choice should be placed upon him instead of man. Man will then be able to will to live happily instead of trying to live up to the high standards of Christ teachings. The teachings of Christ only benefits those few who are strong enough to follow through with them continuously in every aspect of their lives. Hence, the majority who are not strong enough to stand in Christ word will be condemned to hell. The Grand Inquisitor justifies his actions on the belief that he cares for the weak as Jesus does not and admits that he is on the side of Satan and has been for quite some time. The Grand Inquisitor goes on to express how he tried to live like Christ, but failed in all of his attempts. The methods of both The Grand Inquisitor and Christ are inadequate and are not enough to save