Abstract

Through the lives and deaths of Thomas More and Ivan Ilyitch, this article explores the consequences of choosing to follow God or to follow man. Although one man is historical and the other fictional, they make a good contrast because they both are prominent lawyers adroit in governmental and judicial affairs. Both wisely understand what modern liberalism rejects, that humans are dependent creatures. More places himself in the hands of God while Ilyitch places himself in the hands of his social betters. More lives a life of joy. Ilyitch lives a life of quiet despair. More can embrace death. Ilyitch cannot embrace his earthly end until at last he sees that even though he wasted his life redemption is still possible.