Sense and Sensuality: Jesus Talks with Oscar Wilde on the Pursuit of Pleasure

by Ravi Zacharias

Book Overview

WHY versus WHY NOT? Why did God place us in a world full of pleasures if we aren't meant to pursue them all? In an imaginative dialogue, Oscar Wilde asks Jesus Christ to respond to this question about... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1590520149
• ISBN13: 9781590520147
• Release Date: September 2002
• Publisher: Multnomah Books
• Length: 96 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.0" x 6.7"

Customer Reviews

A masterful representation of the depravity of humanity

I have read this book a few times now, and I can wholeheartedly say that I have never read a book that more clearly portrays the pathetic nature of the human heart, nor provided greater insights than this book does. Some say this is not an acurate protrayal of Oscar Wilde, but I think they are wrong. The book shows the corruption of the heart that is evident in all people, including: Oscar Wilde, Mother Theresa, myself, the reader of my review, and all other people. This is not a book about one man's struggle, it is about the struggle that every person faces in life, and it is an invaluable resource for all people.

An Intriguing Conversation...

"Sense and Sensuality" is a good introduction to the Christian viewpoint on two fundamental aspects of life: pleasure and pain. Dr. Zacharias deals with these seemingly contradictory sensations in a fictional conversation between Jesus (with an assist by Blaise Pascal) and Oscar Wilde, a man known for his Bacchian way of approaching life. For me, "Sense and Sensuality" served as a reminder of the transitory nature of human existence, and thus the futility of finding hope in pleasure or living in fear of pain. After all, to have a shot at the best pleasures possible you have to be young, healthy, good-looking, and rich (or so sayeth the Media). But how many people actually have all of those qualities in abundance, and how long do they really last? Even Hugh Hefner will pass away someday, and then what? Suffering in this world is the other side of the coin, and as bad as it is, death will deliver us from it someday. Therefore, if this life is all there is, then we might as well throw our lot in with Wilde and live it up. Even the Bible agrees with that mindset (1 Cor. 15:32).But, what if there is more to existence than this life? Do suffering and happiness serve a greater purpose? As Dr. Zacharias' Jesus states, "pain and pleasure are pointers to what ultimately matters (pg. 80)" - and that is a loving relationship with God through the gospel of Christ. It is in this context that an eternal perspective based on a passion for God is cultivated, a "fire...in the soul" as Pascal states. Only then can pleasure and pain be put into perspective, and understood for what they are.It appears that other reviewers are a bit upset at Dr. Zacharias' portrayal of Oscar Wilde, but perhaps they can take comfort in the idea that Wilde may be exposed to a wider audience as a result. At any rate, "Sense and Sensuality" is a quick read that will generate long-term contemplation.

It speaks to a struggle we all share...

I have never sat down to submit a review after reading a book in one sitting. This book compells me to do so for several reasons. First, however, I have to take issue with the two reviewers preceding me; the Rutherford, New Jersey person clearly and unfortunately missed the point of the book, because Zacharias's entire book addresses the types of yearnings the reviewer accuses Zacharias of disregarding! A careful reading of the book clearly demonstrates this. The book addresses from the very first page to the last the desire for pleasure that God himself gave us, and the right (Godly) and wrong (immoral) means to pursue that end. ... This whole book focuses on Jesus seeking out and comforting Wilde -- and offering Himself as a sacrifice for Wilde's sins, just as He did for mine. Jesus did not judge Wilde in this dialogue -- he sought out his company and many times told him He understood him. This book is an illustration of the very character of Christ -- love, compassion, intimacy, grace, and forgiveness. As Jesus says on page 79, "It was at [the cross] that your ultimate worth was upheld. It's because My heart was broken that I'm able to heal yours. Blaise [Pascal] was right -- all truths are governed by laws. This one is the way of life and death. I reach out to you through the price I paid for you." In the next paragraph, Christ reminds Wilde that "love cannot be coerced." (p. 79) He loves each of us enough to let us choose Him, because He desires our genuine love, not love that is forced....throughout the book, Zacharias touches on, and Jesus repeatedly acknowledges, how often throughout his life Oscar Wilde sought Christ; in addition, the end of the book features a poem by Wilde that beautifully illustrates this.As for my take on the book, it's a phenomenal testament to why Christ came, died, and what He wants for us. It addresses an issue that permeates our society today -- the wild(e) pursuit (pun intended) of sensual pleasure. Rather than condemn the desire within us for sensual pleasure, Zacharias reminds us that Christ teaches that sensual pleasure is a desire planted within us by our loving Father, and that properly pursued, we can be fully satisfied. Jesus Christ, Zacharias reminds us, is the only true road to joy, pleasure, passion, and intimacy. An excerpt from the dialogue on page 72 between Wilde, Jesus, and Blaise Pascal that kind of sums it all up:"Jesus: The perfect expression for passion is in the soul -- when you love the Lord your God with all your heart and mind and soul and strength. That communion of your person with the person of God enables you to see every other person as precious in His sight. The body becomes His temple. That takes you beyond the sun (the earthly and temporary) --Pascal: And comes only through His Son. Every other passion will exhaust itself. Pleasures are meant to point you to the greatest pleasure of all, the presence of our heavenly Father."

Charming, Boaring, and the Truth.

This is Dr. Zacharias' second "Great Conversations" book, and it has a marked improvement over "the Lotus and The Cross." One of the strengths is that he is dealing with the witty Oscar Wilde, and included his scintillating quips and quotes, which makes for hilarious reading at times.This book is more of a trialogue, with Rene Descartes being Jesus' "Second" in the discussion, filling the role of George MacDonald in C. S. Lewis' "Great Divorce." So we have the Savior discussion things, and at time we have two mere mortals speaking to us, after the manner of our language and understanding.This book is livelier than "The Lotus and the Cross," due to Oscar Wilde's wit and silvertongue. Inadvertently, Dr. Zacharias underscores the limits of humor, in addition to the laws and principles under girding pleasure. That is a novel idea to people--pleasure is not like a pie-eating contest, but more like a fine banquet, with the appetizer, main course, and dessert.By the way, Paul Copan has written two books on deflating the witty slogans and bumper-sticker thoughts that gum-down Christians: "True For You, But Not For Me," and "That's Just Your Interpretation."I love the book's format--the medium is the message! The book is small, inviting, and has those soft photographs. The dialogue is plain and simple, and there is no jargon or confusing philosophic doubletalk that generates more heat than light.The only criticism I have is that there is not a lot of background into Wilde's very wild life. I found Dover's Thrift Edition of "Dorian Grey" to have a nice five-paragraph biography that filled in some missing details, and provided a nice background text to be read before and after reading Dr. Zacharias' book.

Deeply moving and provoking

In a culture that celebrates the pursuit of sensuality without boundaries this book shines. I could not put this book down. The arguments against the pursuit of pleasure for pleasure's sake are compelling. Written with great historical and theological insight Ravi Zacharias has written a deeply moving book on subjects as diverse as holiness, beauty and morality. I would recommend this book to anyone who has chased after pleasure with both hands, found it to be hollow and unsatisfying but doesn't know why.