“Crime and Punishment” and “The Brothers Karamazov” are two of the most influential books I have ever read.
Dostoevsky was a deep thinker, and a devoted Christian.
He died in 1881. His daughter, Aimee, wrote a biography of her father in 1921. I recently found and bought a copy of the book on eBay.
In this book, she wrote about his death. “He made us come into the room and, taking our little hands in his, he begged my mother to read the Parable of the Prodigal Son.”
He listened with his eyes closed to the reading of the story. He then said in a feeble voice, “My children, never forget what you have just heard. Have absolute faith in God and never despair of His pardon. I love you dearly, but my love is nothing compared to the love of God. Even if you should be so unhappy as to commit some dreadful crime, never despair of God. You are His children; humble yourselves before Him, as before your father, implore His pardon, and He will rejoice over your repentance, as the father rejoiced over that of the prodigal son.”
Meaningful words from a brilliant man.
Shortly after this, Dostoevsky passed away. His daughter said, “I have been present at many deathbeds, but none was so radiant as that of my father. Without fear he saw the end approaching.”
Trusting God makes a big difference in facing life. It makes an incredible difference in facing the end of life. A brilliant Russian writer is our witness for today.