Leo Tolstoy's Work
Leo Tolstoy (1827-1910), a Russian count and writer, created his works in a Russia where the main support of the imperial power was the Orthodox Church and Orthodox faith. Religion was considered a "public affair," even for political reasons. Tolstoy was a seeker throughout his life, experiencing various stages of religious life alongside his characters. He, too, felt "tormented by God" throughout his life. He also came across the truths of the Bible, which he incorporated into his literary work, exercising his "artistic freedom."
No one else could depict the depths of the human soul—pain, anxiety, suffering, and sin—as powerfully in literary form as Tolstoy. Through his works, we can also become acquainted with lives of individuals strongly longing for liberation from all these.
Tolstoy is regarded as one of the greatest writers in world literature, a prominent classic, being the first in terms of the number of copies published. Simultaneously, he is the most translated writer into various languages globally. His literary work has allowed millions worldwide to encounter his thoughts, and his influence can be considered exceptionally significant.
His religious-philosophical activities during his second creative period are less known, and opinions on this aspect of his work have been divided, even among his contemporaries. Some called him a saint, "the apostle of love," considering him a renewer of faith. He likened himself to Christ or the soul-stirring John the Baptist. Due to his constant search for truth, he was also referred to as having a great conscience.
The writer's life philosophy underwent significant changes in the second half of his creative work. Biographers and literary historians categorized his works accordingly, questioning whether they originated from the first, literary-artistic phase, or the second, philosophical phase of his changed life.
On the other hand, there's an opinion that he was not only not a saint but not even a renewer of faith. Russian philosopher Berdyaev harshly judged him: "...I have never known such a genius in world history, who was so unfamiliar with spiritual life."
Tolstoy also sought innovations in other areas of life. He participated in the peace movement, advocated for vegetarianism, renounced his property to become a benefactor of peasants.
He played a role in public life: protested against executions to the Tsar, helped the starving, engaged in public education, and signed statements against anti-Semitism. He spoke out against the degradation of humanity and lawlessness. In this field too, his work did not go unnoticed; his environment regarded him as an oracle, seeking advice from him, and he willingly took on the role of spiritual leader.
Russian writers such as Dostoevsky, Chekhov, and Gorky spoke highly of him.
He was a contradictory artist, appearing as the author of the greatest national epic against patriotism; writing about love and rejecting marriage at the end of his life; dedicating 30 years of his life to Christian teachings and coming into conflict with the church; being compared to Goethe in talent and simultaneously mocking art.
His activities were even observed in the highest political circles: according to the Tsar's minister, thoughts about faith were evidently spreading following Tolstoy's lead. Even during his lifetime, he had many followers, and religious communities formed following his teachings, referring to the principles of early Christianity.
It was a remarkable achievement for him to turn the Russian intelligentsia towards the cause of God at the end of this rationalistic, atheistic century.
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