Dostoevsky And His Theology Analysis

Dostoevsky litters the novel with the biblical allusion of Lazarus. Sonia disseminates the legend to the largely agnostic Raskolnikov: “ ‘And when he thus spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth’” (Dostoevsky 328). This reference to Lazarus serves to foreshadow Raskolnikov’s own redemption. In fact, Raskolnikov

Dostoyevsky uses two contrasting chapters to argue against atheistic existentialism. The Grand Inquisitor is a story written by Ivan Karamazov. In the story, Jesus visits the Spanish Inquisition, but the religious leaders do not want Him there. They claim that they already have freedom, and that His return will take the freedom away. The chapter reveals Ivan’s belief that the church is just a cult which thrives off of the weak, and it explains how incredibly boring a sinless world would

As Christians we often believe certain things simply because it’s what our parents and the people around us believe. We often go about our Christian walk without ever giving thought or reason to why we believe what we do. The world of Christian Theology is a place where Christians can find answer to the ‘what and why’ of Christianity. If we are able to begin comprehending Christian Theology and the rudimental knowledge of it, then we can take it with us into more in depth books and discussions about theology, know the importance of it and how vital it is for Christians

In addition to writing Notes from the Underground, and The House of the Dead, Dostoevsky completes Crime and Punishment, The Idiot and in 1871, he finishes The Devils. In addition, this decade is marked by personal tragedy, gambling, and debts. Beginning in 1862, Dostoevsky makes the first of several sojourns to Europe and his prolonged stay (from 1867-1871), no doubt, significantly influences his belief in the Great Russian Messianism.8

The Gospels are narratives about the life and time of Jesus. They describe not only Jesus' life but also what was taking place at that time. This helps to give us a better perception of why some things happened the way they did and what it was possibly like for Jesus. We are able to better understand some of the social and political aspects of life during Jesus' time period, which can help us to overall understand the meaning behind the Gospels better. (Bible Dictionary)

The Christian religion finds its foundation on the Word of God and the work of Jesus Christ. Christianity finds its beginnings with Jesus Christ about 2,000 years ago. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came down to earth to teach, heal, and die for the sins of humanity. When God created man, he openly rebelled against God, causing a rift in their relationship. Since humans cannot save themselves, a perfect and completely innocent sacrifice was necessary in order to purify and restore mankind. Christianity is all about Jesus’ death and resurrection, as well as denying oneself and following Christ.

Dostoevsky did not specifically express belief nor disbelief in God. According to Philosophy in Russia, “Dostoevsky has been represented as a firm believer in God, whereas in a letter he said plainly that the existence of God was the principal question or problem which had tormented him throughout his life” (Copleston 163). Dostoevsky’s hesitant viewpoint also became present in his novel through his characters. For example, he characterized Raskolnikov with a similar unestablished faith, claiming on page 271 that “Perhaps God does not exist.” Raskolnikov struggles internally with guilt and shame that he questions his own beliefs. He speaks with Sonya shortly later, and confesses his belief to her that ‘Lord, I believe that thou art the Son of God, which should come into the world.” (Dostoevsky 276). Raskolnikov begins to have a change of heart about his faith once he is able to confess to another person and trust Sonya. Dostoevsky also incorporated his ideas of philosophy with the ideas of theology. He believed that people should be allowed to choose their religious preferences and faith. On the other hand, Dunya was presented as very devoted to a specific belief in God. She trusted God and used her faith as a form of reassurance when she stated “It was God himself who sent that man to us, although he comes straight from some drinking bout. I am sure we can rely on him” (Dostoevsky 172). Although she knows Raskolnikov is unreliable and irresponsible, she uses God as her source of certainty. Dostoevsky gives his characters the freedom to establish their own outlooks while expressing his belief in existentialism. Some of his characters are heavily devoted, while others are erratic with their position, reflecting Dostoevsky's beliefs in character

My second viewpoint is a bit more abstract in the sense that it deals solely with the concept of a literary double. This approach is not radically different from the take on the same theory that doubles are born out of an individual's need for further action they wish not to take responsibility for. This view asserts the creation of a literary double is somewhat of a cop out on the author's part. Mikhail Bakhtin, as well as countless other critics, have identified Dimitri, Ivan, and Alyosha Karamazov each as Dostoyevsky himself in differing phases of his life. In this manner, the novel is an “artistically organized” collection of languages, voices, and speech types (Rivkin 674). I will rely heavily on the work of Mikhail Bakhtin in my discussion of the differing voices (heteroglossia) within the novel, as well as a commentary on Bakhtin's “Problems of Dostoevsky's Creation" by Rene Wellek. My research will aim to uncover the multitude of voices that an author includes within each character of the story as well as a seemingly

Alexander Solzhenitsyn, in his commencement address to Harvard University entitled “A World Split Apart,” warns of the decline of Western society. Solzhenitsyn begins by indicating that he intends to impart truth upon his audience, though it may be bitter, insisting “that it comes not from an adversary but from a friend” (1). This implies he is about to discuss a controversial topic in such a way that is not likely to be received kindly. His ultimate purpose is to encourage a return to religion and spirituality, connoting this to be the only means of redemption for the West. Solzhenitsyn utilizes an insightful yet urgent tone in order to convey to his audience the direness of the situation.

In its historical context Notes from the Underground was written at a time when Russian writers were attempting to revive opposition to Reformation. These writers emphasized the ills of “separation, egotism and autonomy” that permeated much of 19th century Russia (Golstein 1998, p. 194). Russian writers were expressing the opinion that humanity was lacking in meaningful direction. In this regard, Dostoevsky’s Notes from the Underground is a representation of the hero who embodied separation but invariably fails, thus embodying the concept of anti-heroism (Golstein 1998, p. 194).

And thus the responsibility is not laid on man himself but on the community or church as a

After the 4th century when Constantinople emerged as a great capital and church center, tensions sometimes arose between its leaders and the bishop of Rome. After the fall of Rome to Germanic invaders in 476, the Roman pope was the only guardian of Christian universalism in the West. He began more explicitly to attribute his dominance to Rome’s being the burial place of Saint Peter, whom Jesus had called the “rock” on which the church was to be built. The Eastern Christians respected that tradition and recognized the Roman patriarch to a measure of honorable authority. But they never believed that this authority allowed the papacy to overrule another church or that it made the pope into a

In his hardback titled The Church: Contours of Christian Theology, Edmund P. Clowney writes a systematic presentation about concerning the doctrine of the church. In chapter eight of his book, he describes the Marks of the Church. Clowney writes about the marks of a true church of Christ, which include the true preaching of the Word of God; the proper observation of the sacraments; and the faithful exercise of church discipline.

Max Weber believed the religion is a deeply rooted institution that has shaped people’s image of the world, which in turn can impact their beliefs and motives. For instance, religion is used different amongst people of various class and statues. Individuals with high class and statues will use religion legitimate their circumstances and their situation in the world. On the other end of the spectrum, underprivileged individuals will lean toward religion that promise rewards for hard work and good morals (CSP). In addition, Weber believed that religion had supplied the framework that aided the development of various social institution, in particular the economy (PA).

The author showed his opinion on the structure of the society, social norms and beliefs. He expressed his disagreement with “The Extraordinary Man Theory”. He told the audience that all people have feelings and emotions and cannot rely only on logic and calculations. People cannot hurt others and go unpunished. The ending of the novel helped to strengthen his ideas and convictions. In the end, everyone in the novel received the deserved punishment assigned either by the law or by fate. Raskolnikov and Svidrigailov realized that their actions were wrong and contradicted to the all social norms. They recognized that they were not extraordinary men. Dostoevsky made this novel very educative and filled with morality. It is great for people of all times and generations. It reveals what is good and wrong; it teaches how to be a