I absolutely love these books for the wealth of quotable quotes they provide. Tolkien said that it is fundamentally a Christian work. So what do you christians have to say?
BTW: two of my favorite quotes:
I wish it need not have happened in my time,' said Frodo.
'So do I,' said Gandalf, 'and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.'
---
What a pity that Bilbo did not stab that vile creature, when he had a chance!'
'Pity? It was Pity that stayed his hand. Pity, and Mercy: not to strike without need. And he has been well rewarded, Frodo. Be sure that he took so little hurt from the evil, and escaped in the end, because he began his ownership of the Ring so. With Pity.'
2007-01-09 15:32:50 · 10 answers · asked by ragdefender 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
He denied that they were allegorical.
2007-01-09 15:40:38 · update #1
That is, he hated C.S. Lewis for being too preachy in his work which was also fundamentally christian. LOTR is not an allegory, as in Frodo is not supposed to represent Christ as Aslan represented Christ.
2007-01-09 15:43:32 · update #2
Doesn't Frodo's role remind you of the beautitudes: the meek shall inherit the earth? And then recall the scene at the foot at mount doom that the movie totally got wrong. Frodo cannot on his own take the final step. It was only because, against his judgment, he spared Gollum's life that it became possible to destroy the ring.
In Tolkien's others work he borrows a lot from Church philosophy when in describing how the world was made, he mentioned that evil cannot create it can only pervert. Do you recall in the movie that Saruman said that the orcs were elves once? In the book, there was a clue that the trolls came from ents.
2007-01-09 15:48:58 · update #3
2 fast 4 god: That was precisely his intention. He didn't want to "talk down" to his readers, so it was not filled with anything "blatantly" christian. He didn't want it to sound like a sermon, which is the point of his argument against his good friend, CS Lewis.
2007-01-09 15:52:42 · update #4
Carnac: The difference is in the intent of the writer. Tolkien intended to write a book based on his understanding of Christian values. JK Rowling, as far as I know, does not have a similar intent.
2007-01-09 15:58:44 · update #5
I read his books numerous times and I didn't find any inherent Christianity and I have senses attuned to the slightest trace of pro-Christian nonsense.
Maybe you're just thinking of the Christian values which to me are not specifically Christian, more morally correct. I think Tolkien was more influenced by the European wars going on at the time of writing. You know, the enemy in the east, gaining allies where their allegiance is not certain and of course, though he denied it, the whole 'Scouring of the Shire' chapter about soldiers returning to set their home to rights. BTW, why don't you allow emails?
2007-01-09 15:48:39 · answer #1 · answered by 2 fast 4 god 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, I for my part see a LOT of christian topics within the LOTR books. However, Tolkien did say that was once on no account his purpose. I have learn the books approximately five instances and it took Tolkien whatever like 20 years to write down the books. I am additionally a author. From that standpoint I consider that Tolkien was once expressing his emotions approximately what was once taking place in his societ. It was once replacing quickly. I additionally consider that for Tolkien he was once discovering a approach to specific the horrors of what he noticed in WWI. I cannot "again up" my reply, however I am speakme as a author. Most of the time author's truly emotions approximately matters exhibit up in what they write, whether or not they imply for that to occur or no longer! Tolkien noticed plenty of trauma in his existence. He was once born in South Africa and his mom and dad died whilst he was once a little one. He grew up loving traditional literature and desired to create a best paintings of fiction. To this finish he studied languages, and literature like no person's trade. In the midst of writing and finding out Tolkien noticed the upward push of the Industrial age, WWI and the top of Victorian England. Comparing all of the ones factors to the books, I see that he was once expressing the alterations in his international, and it was once expressed in some way that stated, "I do not know if that is for well or for unhealthy, however finally, the proper factor will consistently be successful." As to the specifics of "christian" I consider that Tolkien ordinarily could no longer have minded that label if his paintings have been identified in the best way that he desired it to be. That's only a humble author's opinion.
2016-09-03 19:29:44 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I love the books too and have read them a number of times but I wouldn't consider them to be Christian or non-Christian. Is the Lord of the Rings a Christian work because the characters show mercy and pity? By that reasoning you could call Harry Potter a Christian work.
Incidentally, Harry Potter seems to borrow heavily from Lord of the Rings. Each story has good and evil wizards and a Dark Lord who must not be named.
2007-01-09 15:54:12 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Dont confuse "Christian Fundamentals" with "Christian Fundamentalist" they're really 2 different things. Lord of the Rings is fundamentally Christian in the story line and values. Not fundamentalist like "Frodo dont kiss that hobbit or you're going to hell!!!"
2007-01-09 15:43:27 · answer #4 · answered by impossble_dream 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
how exactly are *any* of the things in LotR actually christian at all, as opposed to "moral/philosophical wisdom that are entirely divorced from any real life religious or spiritual path"
I mean they are very insightful quotes I agree. and there are some terrific lines.
.... but its not something christianity has and others don't.
2007-01-09 15:42:06 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Wow, because all universal archetypes lead back to Christ!
They were merely a story for his son. Well, in the beginning.
2007-01-09 16:29:06 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
yup, got it from ewtn. apparently jrr tolkien incorporated a lot of christian thougth and beliefs into his books. jrr tolkiens, if i am not mistaken, is a devout member of the church of england.
2007-01-09 15:42:31 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If he did indeed make that comment, maybe he was referring to it being a work of fantasy... the words Christian and fantasy are synonymous you know.
2007-01-09 15:47:59 · answer #8 · answered by atheist_2_u 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Huh, I heard that Tolkien denied any Christian ties to his books.
Ah well.
2007-01-09 15:36:53 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
lol, is that why they aren't very interesting then?
2007-01-09 15:39:12 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋