Become New with John Ortberg What Crime and Punishment Taught Me About the Burden of Being Loved
Nov 5, 2025
Delve into the complexities of guilt and pride through Raskolnikov's torment in Crime and Punishment. Discover the profound struggle of confession and the role of love, as illustrated by Sonia's shock and moral clarity. Explore how deep love can feel burdensome yet transformative. The episode emphasizes love's purpose to guide us toward goodness rather than mere happiness, while discussing the growth that comes from suffering. Reflect on how God's discipline and the embrace of difficult emotions can lead to meaningful change.
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Raskolnikov's Confession Struggle
- Raskolnikov murders a pawnbroker and her sister and carries unbearable guilt.
- He seeks relief by confiding in Sonia, a prostitute who saved her family, but struggles to speak the crime aloud.
Sonia's Sacrifice And Faith
- Sonia becomes a prostitute to feed her siblings and reads the New Testament to survive morally.
- Raskolnikov admires her and asks her to read the Lazarus story, which becomes a recurring lifeline in the book.
Why Evil Feels Complicated
- Evil creates internal complexity because desire, conscience, and rationalization clash.
- Raskolnikov cycles through multiple justifications as his mind tries to quiet conscience and justify the crime.
