"Dostoevsky and His Theology" was written by a man named James Townsend. It was posted online on September 2, 2012, and published on a official Russian educational website. The author of the articles appears to have been very well educated, and he displayed a very thorough understanding of the topic that he was discussing. At the end of the article, Townsend sited several independent works from credible individuals that discuss Dostoevsky, Dostoevsky's novels, Dostoevsky's religion, and several other essays that analyze and examine the Russian culture and famous Russian novelists. All of these sources were published pieces that came from Universities, like Princeton and Cambridge; experts, and include Dostoevsky's novels as well. In the way
2.Allusions to Christianity Raskolnikov’s internal conflict between being a superhuman and an average person is resolved when he embraces religion, whom he is introduced to through Sonya. Sonya’s name is Greek for wisdom and guides Raskolnikov to redemption. Dostoevsky alludes to religion with these characters to emphasize the importance of Christian faith. Sonya is a foil to Raskolnikov because even though she is similarly in the lowest class of society, she maintains a strong faith.
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.
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
Dostoevsky depicts his mind through the utilization of various literary devices, clever diction, and abrupt phrases and in turn, he is able to display the fractured mind of Raskolnikov. The structure of the novel plays a key role in the depiction of Raskolnikov’s sanity. The author is able to create a climactic scene that alters the life of Raskolnikov. He creates two major phases.
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
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).
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
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.
There are many different types of crimes that happen within the novel itself and it is evident that the authors Christian beliefs influenced the very background of the characters and crimes committed. The main character in the novel, Raskolnikov, has a very unique religious outlook for the time period in which he lived. Raskolnikov was raised in a Christian family which he eventually outgrew and followed new beliefs. He was not necessary a nihilist because he believed in a higher morality and nihilists did not have any sense of morality. He did however, have a sense of direction in regard to utilitarian motives. Very early on in the novel, Raskolnikov receives a letter from his mother in which she makes a remark acknowledging that he has strayed from religion but she still prays for him. Reading this letter causes Raskolnikov much pain and even though it is not blatantly acknowledged, it is sensed that Raskolnikov has some bitterness toward the idea of returning to religion. By making Raskolnikov’s character non-religious, Dostoevsky
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
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).
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.
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 Orthodox Christian Church holds true to the teachings of Christ as given by Him to His apostles. The Orthodox Christian Church is universal and Orthodox Christians have a faith and doctrine of Jesus Christ Our Lord as Head of the Church.