A Conversation with Author Jonathan Franzen

For more on this event, visit: bit.ly/2G3eGbC
For more on the Berkley Center, visit: berkleycenter.georgetown.edu/
March 20, 2018 | In this Faith and Culture series conversation, author and series moderator Paul Elie invites acclaimed novelist Jonathan Franzen to carry forward a conversation they began two decades ago, before the 2001 publication of Franzen's novel The Corrections, winner of the National Book Award in fiction and a worldwide bestseller. They will discuss fiction, contemporary affairs, and the religious imagination as they explore Franzen's most recent works-the novel Purity and the essay collection Farther Away.
This event is co-sponsored by the Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs; the Pontifical Council for Culture; and the Office of the President.

[@jamesoconnor9452]

I love how writers speak: The pauses and stammers indicate thinking before speaking, which is a rarity.

[@filamentodecobre9355]

I prefer how they write -some

[@rayana4941]

somebody: asks a question. franzen: buffering.

[@rodrigovigo6052]

haha good one

[@diltonx6066]

This is so good. I want to learn Russian too!

[@alenapironko]

I am teaching Russian, if you are serious

[@christinebadostain6887]

the "suffering of innocent children" is not the fault of our Creator---it is our responsibility to obey God and then we will have much less suffering. Free will would be moot if our Creator intervened in our choices as individuals or/and as a collective

[@tahiragibson6407]

Christine Badostain - then let free will be moot! Intervene more, God! I would! Any being with a heart would!

[@Revjonbeadle]

God is free as well. The question of “why” is profound because it posits the individual may know something that God does not know. As a devout Christian, I don’t buy the argument. But I do think it is the BEST argument against God. Far better than any of the new atheist arguments that are guilty of worshipping at the altar of St Fallacious.

[@diltonx6066]

God cannot be "all good" and "all powerful".

[@christinebadostain6887]

@@tahiragibson6407 Thanks for your thoughts! Insight is essential to begin to understand the ways of God. Guidance is given. Wouldn't it be like if a teacher gives you a test but gives you all of the answers during the test---what is the point? The whole object of life is to investigate what is true and it is our choice if it is going to be the hard way (because sometimes we don't like the answer) or not.

[@mikewagner1319]

@@christinebadostain6887 humanity Will have peace when they turn their back on "god"