Collin Hansen, author of "Where Is God in a World With So Much Evil?", discusses the complex issue of divine silence amidst human suffering. Drawing on European history and significant events like the Holocaust, he explores how morality has shifted since World War II, raising concerns about the comparisons people make to historical figures like Hitler. Hansen emphasizes the importance of lament and the role of silence in faith, illustrating how grappling with suffering can deepen our engagement with God.
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insights INSIGHT
Shifting Morality
Post-World War II, morality shifted from trying to be like Jesus to not being as bad as Hitler.
This new standard allows self-justification and demonizes enemies, hindering true moral growth.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Putin's Justification
Putin uses the "I'm not Hitler" argument to justify invading Ukraine, a Nazi-like act.
This demonstrates the danger of relative morality and the need for an absolute standard.
insights INSIGHT
Internalizing Evil
Solzhenitsyn's insight: good and evil reside within every human heart.
This challenges the tendency to categorize people as simply good or bad.
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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 Gulag Archipelago
An Experiment in Literary Investigation
Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
The Gulag Archipelago is a three-volume series written by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, exploring the Soviet labour camp system through a mix of historical narrative, personal accounts, and literary investigation. The book traces the history of the Gulag from Vladimir Lenin's decrees to the era of Nikita Khrushchev, detailing the arrest, conviction, transport, and imprisonment of prisoners. It includes Solzhenitsyn's own experiences as a Gulag prisoner and accounts from other inmates, highlighting the brutal conditions, forced labor, and the psychological and physical suffering of the prisoners. The work is a testament to the human spirit's struggle against evil and serves as a comprehensive critique of the Soviet regime's use of terror against its population[2][5][3].
Where Is God in a World with So Much Evil?
Where Is God in a World with So Much Evil?
Collin Hansen
Unbelief, A History of Doubt
Unbelief, A History of Doubt
Alec Ryrie
In this episode of Gospelbound, guest host Kendra Dahl interviews Collin Hansen about his new book,Where Is God in a World With So Much Evil? Collin shares how his background in European history and cultural apologetics shaped his approach to one of Christianity's hardest questions, particularly in light of historical tragedies like the Holocaust.
They discuss the post-World War II shift in morality, the rise of Hitler as a moral standard, and how modern comparisons often lead to self-justification. Drawing from Job and the Psalms, Collin highlights the importance of presence, silence, and crying out to God amid suffering.
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