The Christian religion is not a legal system which, being imposed by violence, may transform men's lives. Christianity is a new and higher conception of life. A new conception of life cannot be imposed on men; it can only be freely assimilated. And it can only be freely assimilated in two ways: one spiritual and internal, the other experimental and external.
6 out of 6 found this helpful:
Life Changing
Phil(Shanghai)
There is little than can be said about this book, at least by someone with my limited communication skills, beyond just read it. An amazing argument in favour of the rejection of all violence and a totally new look at Christianity from outside the confines of the organized Church systems.
I struggle to reconcile total non-violence with a "Hitler" scenario, but even this argument struggles to provide a strong case to counter Tolstoy's assertation that there is no justification for violence, or even for aggression.
As a confused believer in god, raised in the Evangelical Anglican idiom I had totally rejected Christianity for many years. This book has made me readdress my attitude and see Jesus and the New Testament in a new light.
While some of Tolstoy's cases seem a little dated in the 21st century, the backbone of this book is timeless. A must read.
2005-12-10 20:49 | 1 comment
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