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Life in a Bottle


In book VII of The Republic, we are presented with the allegory of the cave. Plato gives us a representation of the enlightenment of the soul. This is much like the spiritual enlightenment we receive through Christ. 

I grew up in a Southern Baptist household where I was taught the things of God from a very young age. Though I knew in my head about Jesus, He was only a shadow in my heart. He was like the shadows on the walls of the cave. I went to church every Sunday and Wednesday; every time the doors were open. I took in everything but took nothing seriously. I experienced life in a bottle, completely separated from spiritual reality. I was a prisoner chained in a cave; a prisoner to sin and my own selfish desires. I saw only shadows on the wall and heard only the echoes of all the voices around me, but I thought it was real. 

It wasn't until Jesus came down into my cave and led me by the hand into the light that I started to see. I began to understand that what I had been living was not true life, but only a distorted version of it. I began to finally comprehend what Jesus had done for me when He died on the cross. It was becoming real to me that the Holy Spirit was living inside me and guiding me in becoming more like Christ. I began to understand what it means to be more like Jesus. All of this was starting to be clear, but I was still seeing through spots. I had the dazed eyes of a person who had just come into the light.

"...good...is seen only with an effort; and, when it is seen, is also inferred to be the universal author of all things beautiful and right, parent of light and of the lord of light in this visible world, and the immediate source of reason and truth in the intellectual; and that is the power upon which he who would act rationally, either in public or private life, must have his eye fixed." (Plato, 203)

This is what Socrates wanted for the perfect city.; for people to have the ability to fix their eyes on the light of wisdom so they could live good lives. In The Republic, spiritual enlightenment meant one gained more perfect happiness. This passage of reading is strikingly similar to on in 1 John. "But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin." (1:17) 

In the allegory we see a man being brought out of the darkness of the into the sunshine. This is a picture of what happens to us when we are brought out of the darkness of sin and into the brightness of the Son. When our enlightenment comes from the Lord, our happiness is made complete. As we continue to live in the light, our eyes will grow accustomed to its brightness. We no longer live in the shadows but in the fullness of God.

"...I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won't have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life." (John 8:12)


Commented on Haylee's and Braylan's posts.

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