The Kingdom of God Is Within You · Chapter
I explained
Tolstoy recounts receiving letters and writings from American Quakers and from William Lloyd Garrison's son, which introduce him to the long-standing Christian tradition of nonresistance to evil.
What happens
Tolstoy recounts receiving letters and writings from American Quakers and from William Lloyd Garrison's son, which introduce him to the long-standing Christian tradition of nonresistance to evil. He explores the Quakers' arguments against violence and war, Garrison's 1838 Declaration of Nonresistance, and the extensive works of Adin Ballou, who systematically defends the commandment 'Resist not evil' as central to Christian teaching.
Themes in this chapter
Nonresistance to Evil
Central theme of the chapter; Tolstoy explores the Quaker and Garrisonian tradition of interpreting Christ's commandment literally, arguing that violence and war are incompatible with Christianity.
Hypocrisy of Society
Ballou's satirical pamphlet exposes the hypocrisy of Christians who claim to follow Christ while supporting war and violence through government and military institutions.
True Christianity vs. Pagan Life-Conception
The Quakers and Ballou argue that true Christianity, based on love and nonresistance, stands in stark contrast to the pagan acceptance of violence and state authority.
Characters to notice
- Leo Tolstoy
Author who receives correspondence and writings from American Quakers and Garrison's son, and who studies the works of Ballou.
- Adin Ballou
American theologian whose catechism and writings on nonresistance are extensively quoted and analyzed by Tolstoy.
- William Lloyd Garrison
Famous champion for the liberation of negroes; his 1838 Declaration of Nonresistance is sent to Tolstoy by his son.
- Jesus Christ
Central figure whose commandment 'Resist not evil' (Matthew 5:39) is the foundation of the nonresistance doctrine discussed.
- Jonathan Dymond
Author of a 1827 book on nonresistance mentioned as part of the Quaker writings that influenced Tolstoy.
- Moses
Referenced in Ballou's catechism as one of the patriarchs who authorized retaliation under the Old Testament law.
- Noah
Referenced in Ballou's catechism as one of the patriarchs who authorized retaliation under the Old Testament law.
Key passages
“Christ's teaching, which entered into the consciousness of men, not by means of the sword and of violence, but by means of nonresistance to evil, can be disseminated in the world only through humility, meekness, peace, concord, and love among its followers.”
Christianity spread through peaceful means, not violence, and can only continue to spread through the peaceful virtues of its adherents.
Tolstoy paraphrases the Quaker argument that nonresistance is essential to the propagation of Christianity.
“We cannot acknowledge allegiance to any human government. … We recognize but one King and Lawgiver, one Judge and Ruler of mankind.”
We owe no loyalty to earthly governments; our only allegiance is to God as our sole ruler and judge.
Garrison's Declaration of Nonresistance asserts the primacy of divine authority over human government.
“Satan cannot be driven out by Satan, untruth cannot be cleansed by untruth, and evil cannot be vanquished by evil. True nonresistance is the one true resistance to evil. It kills and finally destroys the evil sentiment.”
Evil cannot be overcome by using evil methods; only nonresistance—refusing to retaliate—truly defeats evil by eliminating the desire for revenge.
Ballou's catechism explains that nonresistance is the only effective way to resist evil.
