Believe in Ben: A Compelling Story of Faith and Transformation
The protagonist of Dostoevsky’s great novel “The Demons,” Shatov, passionately declares, “If a great nation does not believe exclusively in the truth that is in itself and is the savior of humanity, it immediately turns into an ethnographic material.” And he goes on to say, “The only people who carry God within themselves are the Russian people.”
Some say that Shatov’s character is none other than Fyodor Dostoevsky himself. It’s a topic up for debate. However, for a long time, we know that Dostoevsky himself held such beliefs. But what happened?
Fifty years after the novel was written, Shatov’s belief in the “only people who carry God within themselves” crumbled. The revolution took place, and the Russian people chose to become the “only people without God.” Churches closed, religious books were hidden, and even in the remote collective farms, classes on “dialectical materialism” were introduced.
Whenever I come across lines like the ones above while revisiting Dostoevsky’s novels and letters, I shudder. Of course, we know that life and the twists of history are many.
Maybe choosing the word “lesson” would be more appropriate…
Looking back once more, Dostoevsky always saw the West as the Antichrist. He openly expressed this every time. The West is “there,” against humanity, while Russia is “here,” the East. In his notes for “The Demons,” he writes, “Enoch and Elijah will come from among us and defeat the Antichrist, the embodiment of the Western spirit.”
How strange!
One can’t help but wonder if the West has also believed in this throughout history; is there a hidden “dark” reason behind repeatedly attempting to march towards Moscow?
I always say… In times of great historical shifts like today, it is beneficial to turn to the great Russian writers. The world becomes a heavy burden in such times… sometimes even an enemy.
Tolstoy and Dostoevsky dedicated themselves to the struggle against this enemy…
The speech at the beginning of my article is a very striking passage from “The Demons.” Let me remind you… Shatov declares, “I believe in Russia, I believe in Jesus, I believe that his second coming will be here.” Stavrogin angrily interrupts, asking, “Do you believe in God? That’s all I wanted to know.” This time, Shatov stutters, “I… um… will believe.”
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**Subheadings:**
**1. The Transformation of Shatov**
Shatov’s evolution from a believer in the divine Russian people to a revolutionist.
**2. Dostoevsky’s Views on the West**
Exploring Dostoevsky’s perception of the West as the Antichrist and Russia as the savior.
**3. Lessons from the Past**
Reflecting on the importance of studying great Russian authors during times of significant historical change.
