Tolstoy develops a comprehensive philosophy of nonviolence, arguing that Jesus's teaching of "turning the other cheek" should be taken literally as a complete rejection of violence in all forms. He demonstrates how this principle can be applied to social and political change, laying groundwork that would later influence figures like Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr.

The author presents a scathing analysis of organized religion, particularly the Orthodox Church, arguing that it has betrayed Christ's true teachings by aligning with state power and justifying violence. He contends that genuine Christianity exists not in external rituals but in individual spiritual awareness and ethical behavior.

Tolstoy argues that true Christian principles are incompatible with state governance, as governments rely on violence to maintain power. He advocates for individual moral responsibility over blind obedience to state authority, suggesting that personal conscience should guide human behavior rather than external laws.