The Trauma of Stalinism Narrated in Varlam T. Shalamov's Kolymskie Rasskazy : Missiological Implications for Contemporary Russia
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Andrews University Digital Commons @ Andrews University Dissertations Graduate Research 2008 The Trauma of Stalinism Narrated in Varlam T. Shalamov's Kolymskie Rasskazy : Missiological Implications for Contemporary Russia Yuri N. Drumi Andrews University Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dissertations Part of the European History Commons, European Languages and Societies Commons, Political History Commons, and the Social History Commons Recommended Citation Drumi, Yuri N., "The Trauma of Stalinism Narrated in Varlam T. Shalamov's Kolymskie Rasskazy : Missiological Implications for Contemporary Russia" (2008). Dissertations. 40. https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dissertations/40 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate Research at Digital Commons @ Andrews University. It has been accepted for inclusion in Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ Andrews University. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Thank you for your interest in the Andrews University Digital Library of Dissertations and Theses. Please honor the copyright of this document by not duplicating or distributing additional copies in any form without the author’s express written permission. Thanks for your cooperation. ABSTRACT THE TRAUMA OF STALINISM NARRATED IN VARLAM T. SHALAMOV'S KOLYMSKIE RASSKAZY: MISSIOLOGICAL IMPLICATIONS FOR CONTEMPORARY RUSSIA by Yuri N. Drumi Adviser: Rudi Maier ABSTRACT OF GRADUATE STUDENT RESEARCH Dissertation Andrews University Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary Title: THE TRAUMA OF STALINISM NARRATED IN VARLAM T. SHALAMOV'S KOLYMSKIE RASSKAZY: MISSIOLOGICAL IMPLICATIONS FOR CONTEMPORARY RUSSIA Name of researcher: Yuri N. Drumi Name and degree of faculty adviser: Rudi Maier, Ph.D. Date completed: April 2008 Stalinism and the punitive system of the Gulag left an indelible stamp on the entire social matrix of Russia. Because of the multidimensional and multigenerational nature of the trauma of Stalinism, Russian society retains the label of a traumatized culture. This dissertation explores the significance of this phenomenon for contemporary Christian mission in Russia. The narratives of Varlam T. Shalamov's Kolymskie rasskazy provided an empirical (based on sensory evidence) inquiry into the reality of enormous sufferings experienced by the inmates of the Kolyma Gulag. Holy Scripture, on the other hand, provided the theological (faith-based) inquiry into the causes and implications of those sufferings. This study demonstrates that the traumatic microcosm of Shalamov's characters belongs to the larger cultural world—namely, the macrocosm of everyday Stalinism. A biblical-theological assessment of Stalinism reveals that once a totalitarian system of pseudo-religious theocracy was established, the result was a culture demoniacally infected by the worldview of Marxism-Leninism. Being not just a sociopolitical system, but a state of mind, Stalinism resulted in legitimization and institutionalization of a culture of lawlessness and death. The method of socio-textual interaction, utilized throughout this study, set forth a certain conception of Christian mission based on the commitment to liberation, healing, and transformation as envisioned in the Nazareth Manifesto of Jesus (Luke 4:16-21). At the heart of this approach to mission lies the Lukan imagery of a God who has compassion on "the poor" (the traumatized), who enters their dysfunctional oikos, casts out its demons, and calls humans to join Familia Dei. The following three missiological strategies should be considered essential to the reality of post-Soviet society. First, the profoundly countercultural power of the worship service needs to be channeled toward healing the worshippers. Second, just as Jesus chose the family/household as both the social structure and spatial location for His ministry, so too the contemporary church-in-culture must consider this approach as her modus operandi. Finally, political participation suitable to the healing ministry of the Russian Christian community should be understood in terms of both creating an externally focused self-awareness and practical involvement in the life of the polis. Andrews University Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary THE TRAUMA OF STALINISM NARRATED IN VARLAM T. SHALAMOV'S KOLYMSKIE RASSKAZY: MISSIOLOGICAL IMPLICATIONS FOR CONTEMPORARY RUSSIA A Dissertation Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy by Yuri N. Drumi April 2008 UMI Number: 3306673 INFORMATION TO USERS The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. Broken or indistinct print, colored or poor quality illustrations and photographs, print bleed-through, substandard margins, and improper alignment can adversely affect reproduction. In the unlikely event that the author did not send a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if unauthorized copyright material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. ® UMI UMI Microform 3306673 Copyright 2008 by ProQuest LLC. All rights reserved. This microform edition is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. ProQuest LLC 789 E. Eisenhower Parkway PO Box 1346 Ann Arbor, Ml 48106-1346 © Copyright by Yuri N. Drumi 2008 All Rights Reserved THE TRAUMA OF STALINISM NARRATED IN VARLAM T. SHALAMOV'S KOLYMSKIE RASSKAZY: MISSIOLOGICAL IMPLICATIONS FOR CONTEMPORARY RUSSIA A dissertation presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Philosophy by Yuri N. Drumi APPROVAL BY THE COMMITTEE: <S~ '<24a?_ Faculty Adviser h.DVTh.D. Programs Rudolf Maier Roy E. Gane Professor of Mission Bruce L. Bauer Dean, SDA Theological Semminari y Professor of World Mission J. H. Denis Fortin *fos Jane^Sabes Professor of Political Science ^^ Wagner Kuhn Associate Professor of World Mission f<VMMy&T7U. St Stephen Bevans Date approved Professor of Mission and Culture Catholic Theological Union MOHM MaMe H 6paTtaM, a TaioKe naMHTH Moero OTija — nocBHmaio TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGMENTS vi Chapter I. INTRODUCTION 1 Preface 1 Background to the Problem 3 Purpose Statement 11 Scope of Study 11 Methodology 14 Limitations and Delimitations 17 Definition of the Terms 18 II. ANALYSIS OF HUMAN DECAY IN VARLAM SHALAMOV'S KOLYMSKIE RASSKAZY 21 Introduction 21 Religious-Moral Worldview of Varlam Shalamov 22 Rationale for Disbelief 24 Rationale for Belief 30 Varlam Shalamov as a Religious Thinker 33 Moral Reference Point of Kolymskie rasskazy 37 "This is my soul" 37 Metanarrative of Kolymskie rasskazy 43 "Po desyati zapovedyam" (According to the Ten Commandments) 46 A Human among Humans 48 A Human before God 95 Conclusion 110 III. STALINISM AS TRAUMA 114 Introduction 114 Cultural Revolution in Stalin Russia 116 Historical Background 117 Cultural Revolution Expressed Numerically 120 Soviet Ideology and Its Impact on the Populace 129 Homo Sovieticus Described 138 iv Conceptualizing the Soviet Trauma 146 Soviet History as Trauma 146 A Brief Overview of the Concept of Psychohistory 147 Taxonomy of Soviet Trauma 149 Major Social Dimensions of Trauma 153 Stalinism and Spiritual Warfare 158 The Warfare Worldview of Scripture 161 Assessing Stalinism Theologically 167 Conclusion 185 IV. HEALING THE TRAUMA: TOWARD A MISSIOLOGY FOR CONTEMPORARY RUSSIA 187 Introduction 187 Toward a Missiology for Contemporary Russia 191 Rationales for Using Luke-Acts 192 Significance of History and Culture in Luke-Acts 192 Continuity between the Mission of Jesus and the Apostolic Church 195 Totality of Jesus' Mission of Liberation 198 Missiological Aspects of Luke 4:16-21 205 Jesus'Hermeneutic of Actuality 206 Sabbath Worship and Healing/Deliverance 211 Jesus, Oikos, and Evangelism 217 Jesus and Politics 238 Conclusion 249 V. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS 255 The Impacts of Stalinism on the "Small Zone" 256 The Impacts of Stalinism on the "Big Zone" 259 The Healing Power of the Divine Oikos 262 APPENDDC: SHORT BIOGRAPHY OF VARLAM SHALAMOV 269 BIBLIOGRAPHY 275 v ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The completion of this doctoral dissertation would not have been possible without the support of many individuals. First and foremost I am indebted to Dr. Rudi Maier, Professor of International Development and Intercultural Studies (Andrews University, Michigan, USA), who not only recognized the value of the direction I chose to pursue but also patiently and more than once read every draft of each chapter, thus providing many helpful suggestions. In fact, many of the ideas for this research arose out of long discussions with Dr. Maier. I am particularly grateful for the friendship my family and I received from him and his wife Hilde. My sincere appreciation is also due to three other members of my doctoral committee: Dr. Bruce Bauer, Chair of the Department of World Missions (Andrews University); Dr. Jane Sabes, Professor of the Department of History and Political Science (Andrews University); and Dr. Wagner Kuhn, Associate Professor of World Missions (Andrews, University). Each of them has made a significant contribution to this work by offering helpful criticisms as well as support and encouragement. I am deeply appreciative of the comments and critique I received from various scholars outside of the Andrews University academic community: Dr. Laura Kline of Wayne State University (Michigan, USA), who put much effort in reading and editing an independent study paper out of which grew the second chapter