In Dostoevsky’s favorite novel The Idiot, we meet Prince Myshkin, a Christ-like person whose goodness, open-heartedness, and genuineness lead people to call him an idiot sixty times in the novel. Dostoevsky saw Myshkin as his best and richest poetic idea. Three times in his notes, Dostoevsky identifies Myshkin as a Christ figure. Like Jesus, he was full of child-like … [Read more...] about The foolishness of God in Dostoevsky’s Idiot
Books
Dostoevsky’s conflicted Brothers Karamazov
Do you enjoy ‘who-done-it’ murder mystery stories by Agatha Christie and Arthur Conan Doyle? Then you will love the Russian Christian author, Fyodor Dostoevsky. He was a master at using graphic crime stories to create the most remarkable psychological/philosophical novels ever written. You will be puzzled as you try to figure out which of the four Karamazov brothers killed his … [Read more...] about Dostoevsky’s conflicted Brothers Karamazov
Thank You. I’m Sorry. Tell Me More by Rod Wilson, a book review
As human beings we are susceptible to self-centered attitudes, defensiveness and entitlement. Conflict is inevitable in our relationships, whether at home, at work, in our friendships, in politics or in our faith community. Written not just for the Christian community, this book makes a thoughtful Christmas gift for anyone. As human beings we are susceptible to … [Read more...] about Thank You. I’m Sorry. Tell Me More by Rod Wilson, a book review
The intense humanity of Tolstoy’s characters in Anna Karenina
Perhaps more than any other book, Anna Karenina is Leo Tolstoy’s novel that readers consistently say they cannot stop reading. If you are still mystified to why Russia recently invaded Ukraine, read Anna Karenina. The intense humanity of Tolstoy’s complex characters allows us to read it again and again with new insights about the Russian soul. Many consider Anna Karenina to be … [Read more...] about The intense humanity of Tolstoy’s characters in Anna Karenina
Leo Tolstoy – War and Peace making
What might it take for peace to come between Ukraine and Russia? What seems impossible with people is still possible with God. What if Ukrainians and Russians would both rediscover the message of peace and reconciliation in Tolstoy’s War and Peace? Sadly, this book is currently banned in the Ukraine because of the mistaken idea that it glorifies the Russian military. Since … [Read more...] about Leo Tolstoy – War and Peace making