Andrew Klavan: How Reading about Murder Led Me to Christ

May 21, 2025

In this discussion, bestselling author Andrew Klavan shares his unique journey from atheism to faith, sparked by dark literature like Dostoevsky’s works. He explores how grappling with morality and the nature of evil through storytelling can illuminate profound truths about the Gospel. Klavan critiques modern Christian art for lacking depth, arguing that engaging with complex narratives can transform faith. He emphasizes the beauty found in darkness, inviting listeners to reconsider the connections between art, suffering, and redemption.

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ANECDOTE

Dostoevsky Challenged His Atheism

Andrew Klavan recounts how reading Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment challenged his atheism by confronting the reality of moral evil.
This revelation moved him from atheism toward faith, seeing that some evils are undeniable and point toward objective moral truth.

ADVICE

Face Evil To Strengthen Faith

Engage deeply with the reality of human evil in art to prepare your faith for real life's hardships.
Avoid shallow Christian art that ignores suffering; authentic stories build stronger faith.

INSIGHT

Stories Shape Faith Deeply

Christian faith formed by precepts alone is fragile; stories convey love and character beyond rules.
Jesus' parables teach through experience, showing love is better communicated through stories than directives.

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God's not dead

Brittany Yost

Mason, Michael (Film director)

God's Not Dead is a Christian drama film that centers on a college student's debate with his philosophy professor about the existence of God. The film follows Josh Wheaton, a devout Christian, who is challenged by his professor to prove God's existence. Through various encounters and discussions, Josh confronts his own faith and explores the evidence for God's presence in the world. The movie highlights the importance of faith, reason, and intellectual engagement in defending one's beliefs. God's Not Dead presents a compelling narrative that explores the intersection of faith and reason, encouraging viewers to examine their own beliefs and engage in thoughtful discussions about the existence of God.

Gone with the Wind

Margaret Mitchell

Published in 1936, 'Gone with the Wind' is a Pulitzer Prize-winning novel that explores the complexities of human passions during the American Civil War and Reconstruction. The story revolves around Scarlett O’Hara, the spoiled and manipulative daughter of a wealthy plantation owner in Georgia, as she navigates through heartbreak, ambition, and survival. The novel vividly depicts the dramatic changes and social upheaval of the time, featuring a cast of unforgettable characters including Rhett Butler, Melanie Hamilton, and Ashley Wilkes. It is a sweeping narrative filled with intricate character relationships, emotional depth, and a striking commentary on resilience in the face of adversity.

Macbeth

Imdad Hussain

William Shakespeare

Macbeth is a tragedy that explores themes of power, ambition, and the consequences of sin. The play follows Macbeth, a Scottish nobleman, and his wife Lady Macbeth as they navigate a complex web of prophecy, murder, and political intrigue. The witches' prophecy sets off a chain of events that leads to the downfall of Macbeth and the restoration of order in Scotland. The play is known for its dark and haunting atmosphere, its exploration of the human psyche, and its commentary on the nature of tragedy and the human condition[1][4].

The Silence of the Lambs

Thomas Harris

The Silence of the Lambs, published in 1988, is a novel by Thomas Harris that follows FBI trainee Clarice Starling as she is assigned to capture the serial killer known as 'Buffalo Bill.' To gain insights into the case, Starling seeks the help of Dr. Hannibal Lecter, a brilliant forensic psychiatrist and cannibalistic serial killer. The novel explores the complex and manipulative relationship between Starling and Lecter as they navigate the dark and intricate world of serial killers. The story delves into themes of psychological profiling, trauma, and the cat-and-mouse game between law enforcement and criminals. The novel is renowned for its detailed characterization and its impact on the thriller genre, and it has been adapted into a highly acclaimed film directed by Jonathan Demme[1][3][4].

The zone of interest

Martin Amis

The Zone of Interest is a powerful and disturbing novel that delves into the dynamics of a concentration camp during World War II. The story is narrated by three main characters: Angelus Thomsen, a Nazi officer who falls in love with Hannah Doll, the wife of the camp commandant Paul Doll; Paul Doll himself, a crass and drunken commandant; and Szmul Zacharias, a Jewish Sonderkommando responsible for disposing of dead bodies. The novel explores themes of love, morality, and the complexities of human behavior in the midst of atrocities. It is a searing and profound portrayal of life in Auschwitz, highlighting the psychological and emotional impacts on both the oppressors and the oppressed[3][4][5].

Harry Potter

J.K. Rowling

The Harry Potter series, written by J.K. Rowling, follows the journey of Harry Potter, an orphan boy who discovers he is a wizard. The series spans seven novels, each corresponding to one year of Harry's life at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Harry, along with his best friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, navigates the magical world, confronts various challenges, and ultimately faces off against the dark wizard Lord Voldemort, who murdered Harry's parents and seeks to dominate the wizarding world. The series explores themes of friendship, love, and the struggle between good and evil.

Left Behind

A Novel of the Earth's Last Days

Tim LaHaye

Jerry B. Jenkins

Left Behind is the first book in the Left Behind series and narrates the story of the Rapture and its immediate aftermath. The novel follows characters such as Rayford Steele, a pilot, and Buck Williams, a journalist, as they navigate a world where millions of people, including all children and babies, have suddenly vanished. The story delves into Christian eschatology, particularly dispensationalism and premillennialism, and introduces the character of Nicolae Carpathia, who is revealed to be the Antichrist. The book sets the stage for the seven-year Tribulation period and the formation of the Tribulation Force, a group of Christians resisting the Antichrist's reign.

The Brothers Karamazov

Larissa Volokhonsky

Fyodor Dostoevsky

Richard Pevear

Set in 19th-century Russia, 'The Brothers Karamazov' is a novel that delves into the lives of the Karamazov family, focusing on the three brothers—Dmitri, Ivan, and Alyosha—and their complex relationships with their father, Fyodor Pavlovich Karamazov. The novel is a murder mystery, a courtroom drama, and an exploration of erotic rivalry, faith, doubt, and reason. It examines the human psyche, moral dilemmas, and the search for meaning in a world fraught with suffering and uncertainty. The story revolves around the murder of Fyodor Pavlovich and the subsequent trial of Dmitri, accused of the crime, while exploring deeper themes of Russian life, social and spiritual striving, and the clash between faith and reason[2][5][4].

The Kingdom of Cain

Finding God in the Literature of Darkness

Andrew Klavan

In 'The Kingdom of Cain', Andrew Klavan delves into the dark side of human nature to discover how one can find joy and beauty in a world filled with evil and suffering. The book looks at three murders in history, including Cain's killing of Abel, and analyzes the art created from these horrific events by artists such as Fyodor Dostoevsky and Alfred Hitchcock. Klavan argues that it is possible to be clear-eyed about the evil in the world while remaining hope-filled about God's ability to redeem it all. He emphasizes that making beauty out of a world shot through with evil and injustice is a task not just for artists but for every life rightly lived.

Crime and Punishment

Bibliophile Bibliophile Pro

Constance Black Garnett

FYODOR DOSTOEVSKY

Published in 1866, 'Crime and Punishment' is a psychological novel set in St. Petersburg, Russia. It revolves around Rodion Raskolnikov, an impoverished and intellectually gifted former student who formulates a theory that some individuals are morally justified in committing crimes for the greater good of society. Raskolnikov puts this theory to the test by murdering an old pawnbroker and her half-sister, leading to a profound exploration of his psychological and emotional struggles with guilt, paranoia, and the consequences of his actions. The novel delves into socio-economic disparities, moral dilemmas, and the psychology of criminals, making it a classic of Russian literature and existential thought[2][4][5].

East of Eden

Paul Osborn

In 'East of Eden', John Steinbeck tells the story of the Trask and Hamilton families, set against the backdrop of California's Salinas Valley. The novel is a modern retelling of the biblical story of Cain and Abel, focusing on the tumultuous relationship between Cal and Aron Trask, and their struggles with their father, Adam. The book delves into themes of love, rejection, and the choice between good and evil, symbolized by the Hebrew word 'timshel', meaning 'thou mayest'. The narrative is rich with characters like Samuel Hamilton, a kind and wise patriarch, and Kate, the embodiment of evil, whose past and actions significantly impact the lives of the Trasks.

What happens when a crime novelist steeped in atheism starts asking hard questions about good, evil, and the meaning of life? In this episode of Remnant Radio, @AndrewKlavan —bestselling author, Daily Wire host, and former atheist—reveals how reading some of the darkest literature in Western history unexpectedly paved his road to Christ. From Dostoevsky’s Crime and Punishment to the disturbing philosophies of the Marquis de Sade, Klavan shares how the reality of evil pointed him toward objective moral truth—and ultimately, the beauty of the Gospel. This is not your typical testimony; it’s a mind-bending journey through murder, meaning, and redemption.

We also unpack Klavan’s latest book, The Kingdom of Cain: Finding God in the Literature of Darkness, where he argues that some of the most haunting stories in art and culture can become unlikely tools of grace. Can Christians engage deeply with stories of depravity without compromising their faith? Is modern Christian art too safe to be spiritually transformative? And why is beauty, even when born from evil, such a powerful witness to truth? This episode is a bold invitation to think more deeply about art, suffering, and the soul. Don’t miss it.

00:00 – Intro: Why Talk About Murder and Faith?
03:42 – Finding God in the Literature of Darkness
07:38 – The Philosopher Who Drove Klavan Away from Atheism
11:24 – Can Evil Stories Lead to Salvation?
15:30 – Why Shallow Christian Art Fails the Church
19:18 – What Makes Dark Stories Spiritually Powerful
23:02 – How Crime and Punishment Changed Klavan’s Soul
28:15 – The Crisis of Evangelical Storytelling
33:10 – Rules vs. Stories: Why Jesus Taught in Parables
38:06 – Drawing the Line: When Art Becomes Corrupt
44:20 – From Hollywood to Holiness: Klavan's Turning Point
51:00 – Final Thoughts: Why Christians Must Engage the Darkness

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