May

Leo Tolstoy and Non-Resistance

By Norman

Russian writer Leo Tolstoy is considered one of the greatest novelists of all time. War and Peace and Anna Karenina have inspired millions over the last century. Less well-known about Tolstoy, though is that he had a profound effect upon many due to his interpretation of Christian ethics, especially regarding non-resistance and pacifism. In 1884, he expounded upon his beliefs in What I Believe, and this work was promptly banned in Russia for its negative depiction of the state and the Russian church. After the book had spread throughout the world and garnered attention, Russian secular and religious intellectuals began attacking his ideas. The Kingdom of God is Within You, published in 1894, is a further explanation of his beliefs and a response to his opponents.

Tolstoy’s Russia was a country dominated by an elite class of aristocrats, government bureaucrats, military “heroes,” and religious officials. The peasant class was bitterly oppressed through legal maneuvering, conscription, and a church that legitimized the oppression. I believe this led Tolstoy away from a traditional creedal Christianity – which to him emphasized conformity and status quo around doctrines that none actually believed (at the time) – and toward a view of Jesus that elevated the ethics of the Sermon on the Mount as the supreme good.

Matthew 5:39, “Resist not an evil person,” was the pinnacle of Jesus’ teachings to Tolstoy. He believed in “Christianity not as a mystic religion but as a new theory of life” (the subtitle of the book). Jesus ushered in the new divine theory of life, which “recognizes life not in his own individuality, and not in societies of individualities, but in the eternal undying source of life – in God; and to fulfill the will of God he is ready to sacrifice his individual and family and social welfare.” The Christian life, to him, was a progression toward divine perfection, and this life is characterized by loving others. This love drives us not only to love those that love us, but also to love our enemies even to the point of practicing strict pacifism towards aggression. He reasons that there is no other way to interpret Jesus, and to act otherwise is completely counter to the Gospel message.

Tolstoy would say the church as an institution has perverted this message of non-resistance, even deliberately hiding this message of Jesus from Christians. He saw the Russian church in an especially negative light, but showed that throughout history the church had suppressed this ethic. Why? Because of the love of power. The state church always held a privileged position, and church officials always preferred to keep their status rather than tell the truth. The ramifications of this practice were clear to Tolstoy; he declared the wars and oppression by the state as a direct result of the church’s refusal to practice the message of Jesus as a new way of life. The only solution is to return to Jesus’ teaching, believe in it wholeheartedly, and practice it consistently with no reservation.

The Kingdom of God is Within You was immediately banned in Russia upon publication, but had far reaching influence elsewhere. Mahatma Gandhi read the book and was “overwhelmed” by its message, greatly influencing his non-violent revolution in India. Martin Luther King also held Tolstoy in great esteem. Tolstoy may not have held to traditional Christian doctrine, but his determined adherence to the words of Jesus is remarkable. It brings to mind the words of Gandhi: “I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.”

I certainly do not admonish Christians to adopt his beliefs in full, because I do believe that God was in Christ reconciling himself to the world as believers have said for two millenia. However, taking Tolstoy’s philosophy of non-resistance to heart is instructive and valuable. Tolstoy challenges the contemporary Christian to reconsider the use of force at every turn, leveling a damning charge of complacency and inconsistency against the church today.

For more information on Leo Tolstoy, check out the Tolstoy Centennial Website.

UPDATE: I failed to mention that I have an exegesis of Matthew 5:38-42 posted here at LCC. Again, I’m not really a strict pacifist but I’m very sympathetic and am very willing to listen.

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Tags: non-resistance, pacifism, recommended books, theology

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Graeme Brooks

Interesting. I still struggle to find a consistent method to tell between when I ought to resist injustice with all my faculties* and when I ought to suffer it gladly. A tough one for the libertarian Christian, right?

On a largely unrelated note; as much as I appreciate the book reviews, memes, comments etc, I miss the biblical exposition you used to have on this site. For example, the study of turning the other cheek was a fantastic one, and relevant to this issue.

* potentially including my wits, my muscles, my martial arts training… but not a sidearm, since us Brits are sadly not even allowed to carry pepper spray, let alone a 9mm
Graeme Brooks

Interesting. I still struggle to find a consistent method to tell between when I ought to resist injustice with all my faculties* and when I ought to suffer it gladly. A tough one for the libertarian Christian, right?

On a largely unrelated note; as much as I appreciate the book reviews, memes, comments etc, I miss the biblical exposition you used to have on this site. For example, the study of turning the other cheek was a fantastic one, and relevant to this issue.

* potentially including my wits, my muscles, my martial arts training… but not a sidearm, since us Brits are sadly not even allowed to carry pepper spray, let alone a 9mm
Daniel Hewitt

Timely post. I’m in the midst of reading The Kingdom Of God Is Within You right now. While I don’t agree with Tolstoy’s idea of complete, absolute non-resistance (even defensive resistance) I greatly respect his principle, and the challenge it provides. Reading the book, I now realize that I should have read What I Believe first (I hate it when that happens), but I’ll get to that one too someday.

This nicely sums up my personal view – there is a time for resistance and a time for non-resistance:

And he said to them, “When I sent you out with no moneybag or knapsack or sandals, did you lack anything?” They said, “Nothing.” He said to them, “But now let the one who has a moneybag take it, and likewise a knapsack. And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one. For I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in me ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors.’ For what is written about me has its fulfillment.” And they said, “Look, Lord, here are two swords.” And he said to them, “It is enough.”
Luke 22:35-38 (ESV)

The edition of The Death Of Ivan Ilyich that I read had a great foreward which described a decade-long spiritual crisis that Tolstoy went through, his struggle with the death of several of his children, and how it all factored into that particular book. You can read most of it here on Google Books, but there are pages omitted here and there. This is also a fantastic book that is worth taking just a few hours to read. It vividly brings to life the Parable of the Rich Fool (Luke 12).
Daniel Hewitt

Timely post. I’m in the midst of reading The Kingdom Of God Is Within You right now. While I don’t agree with Tolstoy’s idea of complete, absolute non-resistance (even defensive resistance) I greatly respect his principle, and the challenge it provides. Reading the book, I now realize that I should have read What I Believe first (I hate it when that happens), but I’ll get to that one too someday.

This nicely sums up my personal view – there is a time for resistance and a time for non-resistance:

And he said to them, “When I sent you out with no moneybag or knapsack or sandals, did you lack anything?” They said, “Nothing.” He said to them, “But now let the one who has a moneybag take it, and likewise a knapsack. And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one. For I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in me ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors.’ For what is written about me has its fulfillment.” And they said, “Look, Lord, here are two swords.” And he said to them, “It is enough.”
Luke 22:35-38 (ESV)

The edition of The Death Of Ivan Ilyich that I read had a great foreward which described a decade-long spiritual crisis that Tolstoy went through, his struggle with the death of several of his children, and how it all factored into that particular book. You can read most of it here on Google Books, but there are pages omitted here and there. This is also a fantastic book that is worth taking just a few hours to read. It vividly brings to life the Parable of the Rich Fool (Luke 12).
http://libertarianchristians.com Norman

@Graeme: Thanks for the comment. I really want to do more Biblical study posts over the summer. My work occupies so much of my time right now that I’m hard pressed to do much in the way of hard-core exegesis these days. I’ve got some interesting ideas that I just have not had the time to pursue. You’ll hear more over the summer.

@Daniel: That’s cool that you’re reading Tolstoy now as well. I’d love to hear your perspective as you work through the book. I heard that it helps to start in the last chapter, did you do that too?

I’m definitely going to be reading more Tolstoy in the future. War and Peace sounds like fun.
http://libertarianchristians.com Norman

@Graeme: Thanks for the comment. I really want to do more Biblical study posts over the summer. My work occupies so much of my time right now that I’m hard pressed to do much in the way of hard-core exegesis these days. I’ve got some interesting ideas that I just have not had the time to pursue. You’ll hear more over the summer.

@Daniel: That’s cool that you’re reading Tolstoy now as well. I’d love to hear your perspective as you work through the book. I heard that it helps to start in the last chapter, did you do that too?

I’m definitely going to be reading more Tolstoy in the future. War and Peace sounds like fun.
Aaron

Norman,

Great stuff. Tolstoy is one of my heroes. I’ll keep checking back in for more posts. Keep it up!
Aaron

Norman,

Great stuff. Tolstoy is one of my heroes. I’ll keep checking back in for more posts. Keep it up!
http://libertarianchristians.com Norman

Thanks Aaron!
http://libertarianchristians.com Norman

Thanks Aaron!
http://libertarianchristians.com Norman

I failed to mention that I have an exegesis of Matthew 5:38-42 posted here at LCC. Again, I’m not really a strict pacifist but I’m very sympathetic and am very willing to listen.
http://libertarianchristians.com Norman

I failed to mention that I have an exegesis of Matthew 5:38-42 posted here at LCC. Again, I’m not really a strict pacifist but I’m very sympathetic and am very willing to listen.
Daniel Hewitt

Norm,

It will probably take me a while to get though The Kingdom Of God Is Within You, as I have several books on the go, and this book is not light reading. I just finished the second chapter, which attempts to refute the criticisms of non-resistance. It is surprising how strong Tolstoy’s case is.

I started at the first chapter. But now you have me curious, and I think I might take a look at the last chapter.

And I really should stop making excuses to myself about their sizes, and finally read War And Peace and Anna Karenina some day.
Daniel Hewitt

Norm,

It will probably take me a while to get though The Kingdom Of God Is Within You, as I have several books on the go, and this book is not light reading. I just finished the second chapter, which attempts to refute the criticisms of non-resistance. It is surprising how strong Tolstoy’s case is.

I started at the first chapter. But now you have me curious, and I think I might take a look at the last chapter.

And I really should stop making excuses to myself about their sizes, and finally read War And Peace and Anna Karenina some day.
http://www.dobox.com/ Bruce

Timely post. I’m in the midst of reading The Kingdom Of God Is Within You right now. While I don’t agree with Tolstoy’s idea of complete, absolute non-resistance (even defensive resistance) I greatly respect his principle, and the challenge it provides. Reading the book, I now realize that I should have read What I Believe first (I hate it when that happens), but I’ll get to that one too someday.

This nicely sums up my personal view – there is a time for resistance and a time for non-resistance:

And he said to them, “When I sent you out with no moneybag or knapsack or sandals, did you lack anything?” They said, “Nothing.” He said to them, “But now let the one who has a moneybag take it, and likewise a knapsack. And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one. For I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in me ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors.’ For what is written about me has its fulfillment.” And they said, “Look, Lord, here are two swords.” And he said to them, “It is enough.”
Luke 22:35-38 (ESV)

The edition of The Death Of Ivan Ilyich that I read had a great foreward which described a decade-long spiritual crisis that Tolstoy went through, his struggle with the death of several of his children, and how it all factored into that particular book. You can read most of it here on Google Books, but there are pages omitted here and there. This is also a fantastic book that is worth taking just a few hours to read. It vividly brings to life the Parable of the Rich Fool (Luke 12).
http://www.dobox.com/ Bruce

Timely post. I’m in the midst of reading The Kingdom Of God Is Within You right now. While I don’t agree with Tolstoy’s idea of complete, absolute non-resistance (even defensive resistance) I greatly respect his principle, and the challenge it provides. Reading the book, I now realize that I should have read What I Believe first (I hate it when that happens), but I’ll get to that one too someday.

This nicely sums up my personal view – there is a time for resistance and a time for non-resistance:

And he said to them, “When I sent you out with no moneybag or knapsack or sandals, did you lack anything?” They said, “Nothing.” He said to them, “But now let the one who has a moneybag take it, and likewise a knapsack. And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one. For I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in me ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors.’ For what is written about me has its fulfillment.” And they said, “Look, Lord, here are two swords.” And he said to them, “It is enough.”
Luke 22:35-38 (ESV)

The edition of The Death Of Ivan Ilyich that I read had a great foreward which described a decade-long spiritual crisis that Tolstoy went through, his struggle with the death of several of his children, and how it all factored into that particular book. You can read most of it here on Google Books, but there are pages omitted here and there. This is also a fantastic book that is worth taking just a few hours to read. It vividly brings to life the Parable of the Rich Fool (Luke 12).
http://libertarianchristians.com/2010/07/09/leo-tolstoy-against-the-state/ Leo Tolstoy Against the State | LibertarianChristians.com

[...] Tolstoy Against the State By Norman This past May, I posted a shorter essay about Leo Tolstoy and non-resistance. I wrote a longer paper on the topic (using the previous essay as its basis) and now wish to share [...]

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