Portrait of a Soul

This was a challenge for me today. I have read a portion of the book that Ravi is using here and found it to be quite thought provoking.

How does this challenge you?

What thoughts does it cause you to ponder?

- JRW







10/12/06
Portrait of a Soul
Ravi Zacharias

In the novel The Picture of Dorian Gray, Oscar Wilde describes an exceptionally handsome young man so captivating that he drew the awe-stricken adulation of a great artist. The artist asked him to be the subject of a portrait for he had never seen a face so attractive and so pure. When the painting was completed, young Dorian became so enraptured by his own looks that he wistfully intoned how wonderful it would be if he could live any way he pleased but that no disfigurement of a lawless lifestyle would mar the picture of his own countenance. If only the portrait would grow old and he himself could remain unscathed by time and way of life. In Faustian style he was willing to trade his soul for that wish.

One day, alone and pensive, Dorian went up to the attic and uncovered the portrait that he had kept hidden for so many years, only to be shocked by what he saw. Horror, hideousness, and blood marred the portrait.

The charade came to an end when the artist himself saw the picture. It told the story. He pled with Dorian to come clean, saying, "Does it not say somewhere, 'Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow'?" But in a fit of rage to silence this voice of conscience, Dorian grabbed a knife and killed the artist.

There was now only one thing left for him to do; he took the knife to remove the only visible reminder of his wicked life. But the moment he thrust the blade into the canvas, the portrait returned to its pristine beauty, while Dorian lay stabbed to death on the floor. The ravages that had marred the picture now so disfigured him that even his servants could no longer recognize him.

What a brilliant illustration of how a soul, though invisible, can nonetheless be tarnished. I wonder, if there were to be a portrait of my soul or your soul, how would it best be depicted? Does not the conscience sting, when we think in these terms? Though we have engineered many ways of avoiding physical consequences, how does one cleanse the soul?

Today we find a limitless capacity to raise the question of evil as we see it outside ourselves, but often hold an equal unwillingness to address the evil within us. I once sat on the top floor of a huge corporate building owned by a very successful businessman. Our entire conversation revolved around his reason for unbelief: that there was so much darkness and corruption in this world and a seemingly silent God. Suddenly interrupting the dialogue, a friend of mine said to him, "Since evil troubles you so much, I would be curious to know what you have done with the evil you see within you." There was red-faced silence.

We too, face Dorian Gray's predicament. Sooner or later, a duplicitous life reveals the cost. The soul is not forever invisible. But there is one who can cleanse and restore us. The Scriptures give us extraordinary insight into this subject of our soul-struggle, and God deals with the heart of the issue one life at a time. Indeed, hear the words of the prophet Isaiah to which Oscar Wilde alluded: "'Come now, let us reason together,' says the LORD. 'Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red as crimson, they shall be like wool" (1:18). God upholds the solution asking only that we come "willing and obedient," ready to "come and wash" (1:19,16). So come, friend, willingly and obediently, and find God's rejoinder to the marred portrait within. The greatest artist of all speaks even today.


Ravi Zacharias is founder and president of Ravi Zacharias International Ministries.


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Is Pain a Problem?

I have been reading through The Problem of Pain by C. S. Lewis. What a genius! God truly blessed this man with a way of crafting words and language to impact his readers. Lewis communicated in a manner which he could to speak simple truths to children (through novels and fantasies) and also speak truth to the highly educated at an academic level. His works challenge us to think about things differently and to see our world through a lucid and firm logic.

One of his many fascinating logical presentations revolves around the idea of God’s omnipotence. Lewis chose to deal with this particular subject in response to an argument used by individuals seeking to find an explanation for pain and needless suffering.

The argument sounds something like this.

“If God is all powerful, why is there pain in the world? For if He is all powerful and there is needless suffering in the world then he can not also be, ALL GOOD. If He is “all good” and there is suffering in the world then He can not be all powerful because, if He does not remove suffering. Therefore, He must either be evil or limited.”

This is one of the major questions that atheists struggle with. Although you may simply dismiss this statement, please realize that Professor Lewis, as an atheist earlier in his life, says that this was one of his fundamental problems with believing that there was a God.

What do you make argument? Is it accurate? Why or why not?

I will not give you the explanation Lewis uses yet. I may even make you read the book your self.

Update 9/3/2006

Life has been somewhat muddled lately. I have gone through a job transition and I am adapting to a new work schedule. When asked about my schedule, I find that many people have a bit of a grimace on their face.

Truthfully, I am enjoying the time I have to be with my family in the mornings. I use to come home from work so tired in the evenings that I didn’t have much to offer them, as far as energy for play or emotional/physical support for Jaena. Since the job change I have had the opportunity to do both, more frequently and with more stamina. I tell people that I now have the opportunity to give my family “my best” instead of “my worst.” I think Jaena would confirm this.

On Tuesday mornings Jaena takes M with her to Mom’s group (a Bible study specifically for moms). This gives E and I a chance to connect as father and son (I call it Daddy/Bubby day). Today we drove around Marion looking for houses for my parents (trying to get my mom and dad to move here). After this venture he and I went to the park that is near the University and played on the playground. It was a little muddy but we seemed to effectively avoid the puddles. When we were finished at the park we returned to my car which was actually a tank today because we were pretending we needed to blow up the bad guys who were calling E bad names (so he said). I loaded him in and got him buckled. I then closed his door and climbed into my seat, placed the key into the ignition and turned. Nothing! The car would not start. I tried a few more times to no avail and finally decided that it was time to start walking.

To make a long story short, a friend found us walking so we hitched a ride home just in time for me to get ready for work.

So I have nothing to deep this time, just an update.