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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