Was Tolkien a christian?

Answer 1

Tolkien was a Catholic. In his later years, he and his good friend C. S. Lewis (a protestant) used to take long walks together and discuss their beliefs. Each one had a great respect for the other.

Though many Christian truths and messages can be found in Tolkien's works (such as The Lord of the Rings) Tolkien denied intentionally putting most of them there.

It is believed by some that the success of his novels can be accredited to the ultimate truth and reality that he worked into his stories.

In any case, he was an amazing novelist.

Answer 2

Isaac has said just about everything you need to know, but I would just like to add to his answer a bit.

Tolkien claims that he didnt intentionall put any great Christian themes into his books, in fact, he even criticized Lewis for the Narnia series which just drips with christian symbolism. This is a bit of a joke to me, however. Any Christian who reads The Lord of the Rings can see that it too drips with Christian and, more specifically, Catholic symbolism.

I will give one example which can just as easily be seen in the movie as read in the books. In the Two Towers, we first see the return of Gandalf as Gandalf the White. He had been feared dead and now two of our hobbit heroes stumble upon this mysterious, bright, pure man in the forest. Neither of them realize that this is indeed their good friend Gandalf the Grey who has now been changed and is a new shining, radiating Gandalf the White. This clearly is an allusion to the New Testament after the crucifixion of Jesus, he ressurects (Gandalf the Grey becomes the beautiful Gandalf the White) and is not recognized by the first two of his apostles that he comes across.
Thats just one example amongst many, many more. Whole books are written about the Christian themes in The Lord of the Rings.

Yeah Tolkien.... you didnt put any Christian themes in your work.

Answer 3

Tolkien was a Newtonian Druid. He worshiped newts.

Answer 4

I doubt it. I come from a pagen background and I turned to a Christian and I don't see anything in his writings that reminds me of a Christian...... Like, most, if not all, famous writers write from what they know and he doesn't seem to write about that.

Answer 5

supposedly, yes. i've heard that C.S. Lewis, a christian author is the one that witnessed to him and introduced him to it. may or may not be true, that's just what i've heard...i really don't know anything about the lives of the guys...so.. hope that kinda helps

Answer 6

I believe he was, although it doesn't really make a difference, does it?

Answer 7

yep, he and CS lewis(author and apologist) were friends.

Answer 8

yup