The Gospel in Brief

By: Leo Tolstoy

Narrated by: Gregg Rizzo

The Gospel in Brief is a 1902 synthesis of the four gospels of the New Testament into one narrative of the life of Jesus by Russian author Leo Tolstoy. The work focuses on Jesus's teachings to his followers, presumably those which Tolstoy found most compelling. The Gospel in Brief is thought by some to be deeply reflective of Tolstoy's own interpretation of Christianity. The account presented in Tolstoy's gospel is also notable in its sharp contrast with the contemporaneous views of the Russian Orthodox Church. Tolstoy was a fierce critic of the Russian Orthodox Church, which went so far as to excommunicate him for his writings on Christianity in 1901.

Public Domain (P)2018 Olive Branch Audio

The Post Christmas, Pre Easter Jesus Brought to Life

This book gets to the heart of Christianity: how to live, not just what to believe. I was deeply moved throughout. Jesus’s teachings are meant to be lived out daily—this is the Way he spoke of. To focus only on his birth and resurrection, while neglecting the weight of his life and teachings, is to miss the point of his coming. If this book alarms or offends you, honestly ask yourself why. And if you finish wondering what its point was, listen again.

I recommend adjusting the speed to 95% as the narrator speaks quickly, and at 95% I was able to comfortably enjoy the pace.

Perhaps Tolstoy’s Greatest Work

What a man you have to be to rewrite the gospel story. But he did it and showed that it needed to be done.

he left out the most important part

I was going to leave a five star review before I saw how Tolstoy ended the gospel with Jesus dying on the cross. He left out the most important part, the resurrection of Christ. Without the resurrection, who cares?! Jesus rose again validating the hope he professed.