What I Believe

What is "What I Believe" by Leo Tolstoy about?

• Personal spiritual journey: The book details Tolstoy’s own search for meaning, culminating in his embrace of Jesus’ teachings as a practical guide for life.
• Focus on Jesus’ doctrine: Tolstoy centers his interpretation on the Sermon on the Mount, especially the commandment "Resist not evil," advocating for love, humility, and non-violence.
• Critique of organized religion: He challenges the established Church for distorting or ignoring the core of Jesus’ message, particularly regarding violence and social injustice.
• Call for transformation: The work urges a radical change in both personal and social life, grounded in the literal application of Jesus’ commandments.

Why should I read "What I Believe" by Leo Tolstoy?

• Unique perspective on Christianity: Tolstoy offers a fresh, literal reading of Jesus’ teachings, stripping away centuries of dogma to reveal their original intent.
• Moral and ethical clarity: The book challenges readers to reconsider their beliefs about violence, justice, and social order, promoting a life of sincere faith expressed through action.
• Timeless relevance: Tolstoy’s reflections on peace, love, and non-resistance remain deeply relevant, inspiring readers to pursue a more just and compassionate world.
• Personal transformation: The book encourages readers to examine their own lives and consider the practical implications of living according to Jesus’ commandments.

What are the key takeaways from "What I Believe" by Leo Tolstoy?

• Literal application of Jesus’ teachings: Tolstoy insists that Jesus’ commandments are clear, direct, and meant to be practiced, not merely admired.
• Non-resistance to evil: The central doctrine is to never respond to violence with violence, which has profound implications for personal and social conduct.
• Critique of Church and society: Tolstoy argues that the Church and modern society have strayed from Jesus’ true message by justifying violence, war, and social hierarchies.
• Transformation through love and reason: He believes that living according to reason and love, as taught by Jesus, leads to true happiness and the establishment of God’s kingdom on earth.

How did Leo Tolstoy come to his interpretation of Jesus’ doctrine in "What I Believe"?

• Personal struggle with faith: Tolstoy describes a long journey from nihilism and doubt to a renewed faith based on the teachings of Jesus.
• Key insight on non-resistance: The turning point was his understanding of "Resist not evil" as a literal command, which clarified the entire Gospel for him.
• Rejection of traditional dogma: He rejected theological interpretations that made Jesus’ teachings impractical or symbolic, insisting on their actionable meaning.
• Emphasis on reason: Tolstoy saw reason as the divine light within each person, guiding them toward good and away from evil.

What are the five commandments of Jesus according to "What I Believe" by Leo Tolstoy?

• Be not angry: Maintain peace with all, avoid anger, and seek reconciliation to preserve inner harmony.
• Do not commit adultery: Uphold faithfulness in marriage, avoid lust, and reject divorce except in cases of infidelity.
• Take no oaths: Do not swear oaths; let your word be simple and truthful, as oaths are often used for evil purposes.
• Resist not evil: Never respond to evil with force; bear offenses and do not retaliate with violence.
• Love your enemies: Extend love and prayers to all, including enemies, and reject hatred, war, and national divisions.

How does Tolstoy interpret the commandment "Resist not evil" in "What I Believe"?

• Central to Jesus’ doctrine: Tolstoy sees "Resist not evil" as the pivotal commandment, requiring absolute non-violence and forgiveness.
• Challenges societal norms: This teaching opposes the foundations of laws, courts, armies, and governments, which rely on resistance and punishment.
• Practical discipleship: True Christian living, for Tolstoy, means embracing non-resistance even at the cost of suffering or persecution.
• Contrast with Mosaic law: He argues that Jesus’ law of love and non-resistance replaces the Old Testament’s "eye for an eye" principle.

What is Tolstoy’s critique of the Church in "What I Believe"?

• Obscuring Jesus’ teachings: Tolstoy accuses the Church, especially the Orthodox Greek Church, of distorting Jesus’ doctrine to justify violence, oaths, and social hierarchies.
• Separation of ethics and metaphysics: He criticizes the Church for focusing on metaphysical dogmas while neglecting the practical ethical commandments of Jesus.
• Loss of spiritual relevance: Tolstoy argues that the Church has become obsolete, no longer nourishing the spiritual life of humanity.
• Encouragement to seek truth independently: He suggests that true spiritual seekers must look beyond Church authority to find the genuine teachings of Jesus.

How does Tolstoy address the problem of violence and war in "What I Believe"?

• Violence as anti-Christian: Tolstoy asserts that participation in war, military service, and judicial punishment directly contradicts Jesus’ commandment to "Resist not evil."
• Historical Christian pacifism: He notes that early Christians, including apostles and Church Fathers, rejected violence and did not participate in war.
• Modern contradiction: Tolstoy condemns contemporary Christians for supporting war and violence under the guise of patriotism and duty.
• Non-resistance as testimony: He urges Christians to refuse participation in violence, bearing witness to the truth by living peacefully.

How does Tolstoy explain salvation and eternal life in "What I Believe"?

• Salvation through obedience: Tolstoy teaches that salvation is achieved by fulfilling Jesus’ commandments and living according to God’s will.
• Rejection of individual resurrection: He denies the traditional Christian belief in personal resurrection, interpreting eternal life as union with God in this life.
• Life beyond death as fellowship: Eternal life is seen as a continuation of life in God, accessible through love and service to others.
• Focus on present transformation: Tolstoy emphasizes that true life and salvation are found in the here and now, not in future rewards.

What role do reason and free will play in Tolstoy’s understanding of Jesus’ doctrine in "What I Believe"?

• Reason as divine guidance: Tolstoy identifies the "Son of man" or "Son of God" within each person as the inner light of reason.
• Obedience to reason: Living according to reason and choosing good over evil is the essence of Jesus’ teaching.
• Critique of faith-only salvation: Tolstoy rejects the idea that faith alone saves, insisting on the necessity of conscious, rational effort to live by Jesus’ commandments.
• Empowerment for moral action: He believes that reason and free will enable individuals to practice the doctrine of non-resistance and love.

How does Tolstoy view personal life, work, and poverty in "What I Believe"?

• Personal life as illusion: Tolstoy describes personal, worldly life as an illusion that leads to isolation and is ultimately destroyed by death.
• Work as essential to happiness: He asserts that labor is necessary for human happiness and that serving others through work is the true path to welfare.
• Poverty as a source of joy: Tolstoy argues that living simply and close to nature fosters health, family life, and freedom from anxiety.
• Service over ownership: True happiness comes from ministering to others, not from accumulating property or wealth.

What would be the societal impact if Jesus’ commandments were universally practiced, according to "What I Believe" by Leo Tolstoy?

• Establishment of peace: Universal adherence would bring about the kingdom of God on earth, marked by peace, brotherhood, and the end of violence and war.
• Transformation of social norms: Concepts like property, justice, patriotism, and social hierarchy would be radically redefined or abolished in favor of love, equality, and non-violence.
• End of suffering: The abolition of violence and selfishness would eliminate much human suffering, creating a society where happiness and harmony prevail.
• Universal brotherhood: Tolstoy envisions a world where all people are treated as equals, transcending national and social divisions.