Dostoevsky’s Convictional Theology Expressed in His Life and Literature


Book Description

Fyodor Dostoevsky was not a theologian, and his books are not books of theology. However, there is a “living way” that emerges from the study of his life and work, convictions made manifest in the details of his own life and the lives of his characters. Utilizing James William McClendon’s conception of biography as theology, Dr. Dumitru Sevastian explores the lived convictions that emerge from three distinct periods in Dostoevsky’s life, the pre-Siberian, Siberian, and post-Siberian, each represented by one of his novels, The Poor Folk, The House of the Dead, and The Brothers Karamazov. What emerges is a powerful expression of faith formed in community and tempered in suffering, an example relevant to all Christians seeking to model their lives and relationships on the dying and resurrected Christ.




Dostoevsky's Convictional Theology Expressed in His Life and Literature


Book Description

"Fyodor Dostoevsky was not a theologian, and his books are not books of theology. However, there is a “living way” that emerges from the study of his life and work, convictions made manifest in the details of his own life and the lives of his characters. Utilizing James William McClendon's conception of biography as theology, Dr. Dumitru Sevastian explores the lived convictions that emerge from three distinct periods in Dostoevsky's life, the pre-Siberian, Siberian, and post-Siberian, each represented by one of his novels, The Poor Folk, The House of the Dead, and The Brothers Karamazov. What emerges is a powerful expression of faith formed in community and tempered in suffering, an example relevant to all Christians seeking to model their lives and relationships on the dying and resurrected Christ."--Publisher.




Dostoevsky and the Christian Tradition


Book Description

Dostoevsky is one of Russia's greatest novelists and a major influence in modern debates about religion, both in Russia and the West. This collection brings together Western and Russian perspectives on the issues raised by the religious element in his work. The aim of this collection is not to abstract Dostoevsky's religious 'teaching' from his literary works, but to explore the interaction between his Christian faith and his writing. The essays cover such topics as temptation, grace and law, Dostoevsky's use of the gospels and hagiography, Trinitarianism, and the Russian tradition of the veneration of icons, as well as reading aloud, and dialogism. In addition to an exploration of the impact of the Christian tradition on Dostoevsky's major novels, Crime and Punishment, The Idiot and The Brothers Karamazov, there are also discussions of lesser-known works such as The Landlady and A Little Boy at Christ's Christmas Tree.




The Grand Inquisitor


Book Description

‘The Grand Inquisitor’ is a short story that appears in one of Dostoevsky’s most famous works, ‘The Brothers Karamazov’, but it is often read independently due to its standalone story and literary significance. In the tale, Jesus comes to Seville during the Spanish Inquisition and performs miracles but is soon arrested and sentenced to be burned. The Grand Inquisitor informs Jesus that the church no longer needs him as they are stronger under the direction of Satan. ‘The Grand Inquisitor’ is incredibly interesting and compelling for its philosophical discussion about religion and the human condition. The main debate put forth in the poem is whether freedom or security is more important to mankind, as an all-powerful church can provide safety but requires its followers to abandon their free will. This tale remains remarkably influential among philosophers, political thinkers, and novelists from Friedrich Nietzsche and Noam Chomsky to David Foster Wallace and beyond. Dostoevsky’s writing is both inventive and provocative in this timeless story as the reader is free to come to their own conclusions. ‘The Grand Inquisitor’ should be read by anyone interested in philosophy or politics. Fyodor Dostoevsky (1821-1881) was a famous Russian writer of novels, short stories, and essays. A connoisseur of the troubled human psyche and the relationships between the individuals, Dostoevsky’s oeuvre covers a large area of subjects: politics, religion, social issues, philosophy, and the uncharted realms of the psychological. He is most famous for the novels ‘Crime and Punishment’, ‘The Idiot’, and ‘The Brothers Karamazov’. James Joyce described Dostoevsky as the creator of ‘modern prose’ and his literary legacy is influential to this day as Dostoevsky’s work has been adapted for many movies including ‘The Double’ starring Jesse Eisenberg.




The Religion of Dostoevsky


Book Description

Why has Dostoevsky influenced so much of the religious thinking of our times? His impact on modern theologians--Barth, for example--has been great, and thousands of his readers have been stirred by his extraordinary power to register metaphysical insights in narrative form. This fresh and subtle study of Dostoevsky's life and writing demonstrates that the great Russian's relevance for our day lies in his perception that religious faith and philosophic doubt are inseparable in his illustration that the practice of religion and intellectual scruples belong together and actually enhance each other. Gibson records what is known, from outside the novels, of his successive engagements and disengagements with the Christian faith. He then traces chronologically the path of Dostoevsky's developing thoughts and feelings as presented in the novels themselves, and his sentiments as distributed among his characters. Especially illuminating is the author's analysis of the dichotomies that make up the fascinating puzzle of Dostoevsky's complexity. Overlapping but never coinciding are the two perspectives of reflective artist and journalist-reporter. Buttressing Dostoevsky's dialectical method of thinking was the literary device of the "double," the character with contradictory ways of thought and behavior. Gibson shows how all these factors structured Dostoevsky's depiction of mental, moral, and religious ambiguities. This stimulating guide, which takes the reader from Notes from Underground through The Brothers Karamazov, explores the polarities of reason and faith as the irreconcilables that Dostoevsky constantly tries to reconcile. Everyone who has found his own vision of ethics or of religion expanded by Dostoevsky's work will find this literary study provocative and informative.




50 Christan Books - Scripture, Theology, Philosophy and Spirituality (Including Christian Novels)


Book Description

The anthology '50 Christian Books - Scripture, Theology, Philosophy and Spirituality (Including Christian Novels)' emerges as a seminal collection that traverses the vast expanse of Christian thought and literary expression. Capturing the complexity and diversity of Christian theology, philosophy, and spirituality, it seamlessly integrates seminal works ranging from the foundational texts of early Christian doctrine to modern philosophical treatises and spiritually enlightening novels. The collection distinguishes itself by offering a panoramic view of Christianity's rich literary tapestry, with standout pieces that span genres, centuries, and philosophical debates, thus serving as a crucial bridge between historical religious thought and contemporary spiritual exploration. The contributing authors and editors, hailing from a vibrant spectrum of historical periods and philosophical backgrounds, bring an unparalleled depth of insight to the anthology's overarching theme. From the transformative religious reforms of Martin Luther to the existential inquiries of Friedrich Nietzsche, and from the spiritual storytelling of Leo Tolstoy to the theological reflections of Saint Augustine, this collection embodies a convergence of varied voices that have shaped, challenged, and deepened the understanding of Christianity across ages. Their collective works not only reflect the historical and cultural contexts from which they emerged but also demonstrate the dynamic interplay between Christian belief and the evolving human condition. This anthology offers readers a unique opportunity to engage with a collection that spans the breadth of Christian thought and literary form. It is an essential volume for those seeking to explore the depths of Christian philosophy, theology, and spirituality through the lens of literature. Beyond its educational value, the book fosters a dialogue between different epochs and perspectives, enriching the reader's comprehension of Christianity's multifaceted legacy. It is a must-read for anyone desiring to delve into the heart of Christian literary and intellectual tradition, offering a gateway to the profound and often transformative insights that these works encapsulate.




Dostoevsky


Book Description

As a writer and prophet Dostoevsky was no academic theologian, yet his writings are deeply theological: his life, beliefs, even his epilepsy, all had a role in generating his theology and eschatology. Dostoevsky's novels are riven with paradoxes, are deeply dialectical, and represent a criticism of religion, offered in the service of the gospel. In this task he presented a profound understanding and portrait of humanity. Dostoevsky's novels chart the movement of the human into death: either the movement through paradox and Christlikeness into Christ's cross (a soteriology often characterized by the apophatic negation and self-denial; what we may term "the Mark of Abel") leading to salvation and resurrection; or, conversely, the movement of those who refuse Christ's invitation to be redeemed, and continue to fall into a self-willed death and a self-generated hell (the Mark of "Cain"). This eschatology becomes a theological axiom which he unceasingly warned people of in his mature works. Startlingly original, stripped of all religious pretence (some prostitutes and criminals might just have a better understanding of salvation than some of the pietistic, wealthy, and cultured classes), Dostoevsky as a prophet forewarned of the politicized humanistic delusions of the twentieth century: a prophet crying out through the wilderness.




Dostoevsky


Book Description

"Dostoevsky's thinking has two poles: life as it is, the world as it goes its way, is one, and the beyond, 'resurrection,' eternity, is the other. Here is man, there is God." This is the central emphasis of Eduard Thurneysen as he considers the great Russian novelist not primarily as a psychologist, metaphysician, or social philospher, but as a theologian of the highest order. Drawing liberally from characters and incidents in Dostoevsky's books, Dr. Thurneysen shows how the apparent triviality of the lives of the men and women in the novels is latent with the secret of a wholly other life. Their hunger and thirst for the eternal, their passion for the infinite, is the essential trait of man for Dostoevsky. Yet no step leads over from man to God, for how would God still be God if man could become God? But if there is no path from us to God, then all the more certainly a path leads from him to us. If we come to Dostoevsky with the question of man, he answers us with the picture of man as nothing but a single great question, the question of the origin of his life, the question of God. Published in German in 1921, Dostoevsky has been translated into French, Italian, and Japanese. This is the first English edition. An added sidelight: Karl Barth has said that his friend Thurneysen "was the one who first put me on the trail of . . . Dostoevsky, without whose discovery I would not have been able to write either the first or second draft of the commentary on Romans."




50 Christian Books: Scripture, History, Theology, Spirituality and Fiction


Book Description

DigiCat presents to you this unique Christianity collection with carefully picked out religious works from the earliest times to modern days, showing the development of Christian religion and spirituality. Scripture: Bible First Clement Second Clement Didache Epistle of Barnabas Shepherd of Hermas The Infancy Gospel of Thomas Apocalypse of Peter History: History of the Christian Church (Philip Schaff) Creeds of Christendom (Philip Schaff) Philosophy of Religion: The Confessions of St. Augustine On the Incarnation (Athanasius) On the Soul and the Resurrection (Gregory of Nyssa) On the Holy Spirit (Basil) Pastoral Care (Gregory I) An Exact Exposition of the Orthodox Faith (John of Damascus) Summa Theologica (Saint Thomas Aquinas) The Imitation of Christ (Thomas à Kempis) A Treatise on Christian Liberty (Martin Luther) The Interior Castle (St. Teresa of Ávila) The Practice of the Presence of God (Brother Lawrence) The Age of Reason (Thomas Paine) The Natural History of Religion (David Hume) The Religious Affections (Jonathan Edwards) The Essence of Christianity (Ludwig Feuerbach) Beyond Good and Evil (Nietzsche) All of Grace (Charles Spurgeon) Humility (Andrew Murray) Orthodoxy (Chesterton) The Everlasting Man (Chesterton) The Sovereignty of God (Arthur Pink) The Kingdom of God Is Within You (Tolstoy) Religious Fiction: Divine Comedy (Dante) Paradise Lost (John Milton) The Pilgrim's Progress (John Bunyan) Zadig (Voltaire) Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ (Lew Wallace) Quo Vadis (Henryk Sienkiewicz) In His Steps (Charles M. Sheldon) The Story of the Other Wise Man (Henry Van Dyke) The Ball and the Cross (Chesterton) The Enchanted Barn (Grace Livingston Hill) The Grand Inquisitor (Dostoevsky Wilhelm Meister's Apprenticeship (Goethe) Thus Spoke Zarathustra (Nietzsche) Spirituality: The Conduct of Life (Ralph Waldo Emerson) Lessons in Truth (H. Emilie Cady) As a Man Thinketh (James Allen) Thoughts are Things (Prentice Mulford) The Game of Life and How to Play It (Florence Scovel Shinn)




Theology after Lacan


Book Description

This groundbreaking volume highlights the continuing relevance of Jacques Lacan (1901-1981), a French psychiatrist and psychoanalyst whose linguistic reworking of Freudian analysis radicalised both psychoanalysis and its approach to theology. The book's fi rst section, Part I: Lacan, Religion, and Others, explores the application of Lacan's thought to the development and phenomena of religion. Part II: Theology and the Other Lacan moves through the physical world and into the metaphysical, probing theological issues and ideas of today's world with curiosity and in the light of Lacan. In both parts I and II, a central place is given to Lacan's exposition of the real, thereby refl ecting the impact of his later work. Topics traverse culture,art, philosophy and politics, as well as providing critical exegesis of Lacan's most gnomic utterances on theology, including The Triumph of Religion. Contributors include some of the most renowned readers and influential academics in their respective fields: Tina Beattie, Lorenzo Chiesa, Clayton Crockett, Creston Davis, Adrian Johnston, Katerina Kolozova, Thomas Lynch, Marcus Pound, Carl Raschke, Kenneth Reinhard, Mario D'Amato, Noelle Vahanian and Slavoj Zizek.