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The Kingdom of God Is Within You; What Is Art?

Leo Tolstoy · translated by Aline Delano

The book explores two main themes: the implications of Christian teachings on non-resistance to evil and a critical analysis of the nature and purpose of art.

"The Kingdom of God is Within You; What is Art?" by graf Leo Tolstoy is a philosophical work. The book explores two main themes: the implications of Christian teachings on non-resistance to evil and a critical analysis of the nature and purpose of art.

This edition is the English translation by Aline Delano.

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In 1884 I wrote a book entitled "My Religion," wherein I formulated my creed.

While affirming my faith in the doctrine taught by Christ, I could not refrain from manifesting at the same time the reason why I look upon the ecclesiastical doctrine commonly called Christianity as erroneous, and to me incredible.

Among the many deviations of the latter from the doctrine of Christ, I called attention to the principal one; namely—the evasion of the commandment that forbids man to resist evil by violence, as a striking example of the perversion of the doctrine of Christ by ecclesiastical interpretation.

I knew but little, no more than other men, of what had been taught or written on the subject of non-resistance in former times. I was familiar with the opinions of[2] the Fathers of the Church, Origen, Tertullian, and others; and I also knew of the existence of certain sects called Mennonites, Herrnhuters, and Quakers, all of which forbid Christians the use of arms, and will not submit to conscription, but I never knew the arguments by which these sects sought to maintain their views.

Contents

  1. 01Introductory
  2. 02Chapter I
  3. 03Doctrine of Non-Resistance to Evil from the Origin of Christianity, Has Been, and Still Is, Professed by the Minority of Men
  4. 04Chapter II
  5. 05Opinions of Believers and Unbelievers in Regard to Non-Resistance
  6. 06Chapter III
  7. 07Misconception of Christianity by Non-Believers
  8. 08Chapter IV
  9. 09Misconception of Christianity by Scientists
  10. 10Chapter V
  11. 11Contradiction of Our Life and Christian Consciousness
  12. 12Chapter VI
  13. 13Attitude of Men of the Present Day Toward War
  14. 14Chapter VII
  15. 15Significance of the Military Conscription
  16. 16Chapter VIII
  17. 17Certainty of the Acceptance of the Christian Doctrine of Non-Resistance to Evil by Violence by the Men of Our World
  18. 18Chapter IX
  19. 19The Acceptance of the Christian Life-Conception Delivers Men from the Miseries of Our Pagan Life
  20. 20Chapter X
  21. 21Uselessness of Violence for the Destruction of Evil. The Moral Advance of Mankind Is Accomplished, Not Only Through the Knowledge of Truth, but Also Through the Establishment of Public Opinion
  22. 22Chapter XI
  23. 23Christian Public Opinion Already Arises in Our Society, and Will Inevitably Destroy the System of Violence of Our Life. When This Will Come About
  24. 24Chapter XII
  25. 25Conclusion
  26. 26What Is Art?
  27. 27Translator's Preface
  28. 28The Author's Preface
  29. 29What Is Art?
  30. 30Chapter I
  31. 31Chapter II
  32. 32Chapter III
  33. 33Chapter IV
  34. 34Chapter V
  35. 35Chapter VI
  36. 36Chapter VII
  37. 37Chapter VIII
  38. 38Chapter IX
  39. 39Chapter X
  40. 40Chapter XI
  41. 41Chapter XII
  42. 42Chapter XIII
  43. 43Chapter XIV
  44. 44Chapter XV
  45. 45Chapter XVI
  46. 46Chapter XVII
  47. 47Chapter XVIII
  48. 48Chapter XIX
  49. 49Chapter XX
  50. 50The Conclusion
  51. 51Appendix I
  52. 52Appendix II
  53. 53Appendix III
  54. 54Appendix IV
  55. 55Transcriber's note:

About this edition

Author
Leo Tolstoy
Translator
Aline Delano
Era
Modern (c. 1800–1945)
Reading level
Advanced: for close, demanding reading
Formats
EPUB, PDF
Length
568 pages
This edition
Modern Philosophers