Gospel in brief, The

Book Description

In his later years, the renowned Russian author Leo Tolstoy embarked on a profound spiritual quest that led him far beyond the literary masterpieces that made him famous. Driven by a deep desire to uncover the essential teachings of Christianity, he undertook an ambitious project to distill the core message of Jesus Christ from the Four Gospels.

Working directly with ancient Greek texts, Tolstoy carefully removed what he viewed as distracting elements—miracles, genealogies, prophecies, and ecclesiastical interpretations—to reveal the fundamental philosophy at the heart of Christ's teachings. The result is a streamlined, powerful presentation that focuses on Jesus as a teacher of universal spiritual principles rather than a figure of supernatural events.

At the center of Tolstoy's interpretation lies a transformative understanding: the recognition that God exists as the source of all life and dwells within every aspect of existence. This realization, embodied in the teaching that "the Kingdom of God is Within You," becomes the foundation for genuine spiritual liberation. When we truly grasp this unity of all being, Tolstoy suggests, we naturally embrace Christ's fundamental commandments to love both the divine and our fellow human beings.

This annotated edition allows readers to trace each section back to its original Gospel source, making it accessible to both committed Christians seeking fresh perspective and spiritual seekers exploring Christianity's essential wisdom. Tolstoy's synthesis offers a clear path toward understanding what he called "the problem of life" through the timeless words of Christ himself.