Comment on the spiritual regeneration of Robinson Crusoe.

Answer

Trace the spiritual regeneration/progress of Robinson Crusoe as depicted by Defoe in his novel. 

Or, Comment on the spiritual regeneration of Robinson Crusoe. 

Or, Discuss how “Robinson Crusoe” is a doctrine of man’s regeneration of faith in divinity. 

“Robinson Crusoe” (1719) by Daniel Defoe (1660 -1731) shows the story of a man who grows in faith. At first, Crusoe is proud and forgets God. But after the shipwreck, he begins to think deeply. He feels afraid, lonely, and helpless. Slowly, he turns to God. He learns to pray and read the Bible. His life on the island becomes a journey of spiritual change. This novel is not only an adventure story, but also a story of faith and change. 

Disobey and Fall: At first, Crusoe does not obey his father. He also forgets God. He runs away to the sea for a free life. He thinks money and travel are more important. He does not listen to advice. His early life was full of pride and sin. After many dangers, he still does not pray. He says, 

“I had been well instructed by father and mother;” 

This shows his fall and his first step toward change or regeneration.

Fear and Realisation: After the shipwreck, Crusoe feels very afraid. He is alone and helpless on the island. He says,

“I am cast upon a horrible, desolate island” 

This fear makes him think of God. He becomes sick and thinks he will die. Then he finds a Bible in the ship. He begins to read it. One day, he reads, 

“‘Call upon Me in the day of trouble, and I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me.’” 

He starts to pray for the first time. This is the beginning of his spiritual realisation.

Prayer and Bible:  Crusoe begins to pray every day. He says, 

“This was the first time I could say, in the true sense

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