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John Givens, "The Image of Christ in Russian Literature: Dostoevsky, Tolstoy, Bulgakov, Pasternak" (Northern Illinois UP, 2018)

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Jul 27, 2025

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John Givens

Dr. John Givens, a scholar at the University of Rochester and author of 'The Image of Christ in Russian Literature', dives deep into the portrayals of Christ in works by Dostoevsky, Tolstoy, Bulgakov, and Pasternak. He discusses how these authors present Christ through apophaticism, revealing his essence by showing who he is not. The conversation also touches on the interplay of spirituality and identity in revolutionary Russia, along with Dostoevsky's exploration of faith and doubt, illustrating the complex relationship between literature and faith.

01:08:36

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ANECDOTE

Givens' Early Russian Journey

John Givens started as a journalism student but switched to Russian after encouragement from a professor.
He initially wanted to drop Russian but was persuaded to continue, developing a deep love for the language.

insights

INSIGHT

Key Authors on Christ Imagery

Givens focused on Dostoevsky, Tolstoy, Bulgakov, and Pasternak as key figures in Russian literature's Christ imagery.
These four authors best represent Russian literature's apophatic portrayal of Christ across two centuries.

insights

INSIGHT

Apophatic Approach to Christ

Apophaticism means understanding God by describing what God is not, beyond all concepts and language.
Russian literature uses this method by portraying Christ negatively to reveal his true essence.

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From Journalism to Russian Literature

01:33 • 14min

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The Interplay of Spirituality and Identity in Russian Literature

15:15 • 4min

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Understanding Apophaticism: The Theology Beyond Concepts

19:18 • 4min

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Christ in Russian Literature: Secularism and Doubt

23:02 • 13min

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Exploring Faith and Silence in Dostoevsky's Narrative

35:33 • 4min

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Tolstoy, Christ, and the Quest for Truth

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The Image of Christ in Russian Literature

Dostoevsky, Tolstoy, Bulgakov, Pasternak

John Givens

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In The Image of Christ in Russian Literature: Dostoevsky, Tolstoy, Bulgakov, Pasternak (Northern Illinois University Press, 2018), Dr. John Givens of the University of Rochester discusses classics of Russian literature such as The Brothers Karamazov and Dr. Zhivago, as well as texts of less renown to English-speaking audiences, such as Tolstoy’s Resurrection. These texts and others, Givens suggests, portray Christ apophatically: that is, by showing who Christ was not, in order to illuminate who Christ therefore must be. In addition to the novels themselves, Givens cites sources such as personal correspondence and important theological works, thus bringing an English-speaking public to greater depth of understanding than would be possible simply by reading Russian novels in translation. Though focused on a specific topic, Givens’ book is an excellent resource for anyone interested in familiarizing themselves with some of the “greats” of the Russian literary canon.

Aaron Weinacht is Professor of History at the University of Montana Western in Dillon, MT. He teaches courses on Russian and Soviet History, World History, and Philosophy of History. His research interests include the sociological theorist Philip Rieff and the influence of Russian nihilism on American libertarianism.

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