Lord of the rings help / christian stuff?

Question

Hi.

I need some simple answers, links to some sources would be best!

This is about the book Lord of the rings, did the last one return of the king. I have to answer the below questions then compare / contrast the books. :(


How did the author portray Christianity in this book?

What truths about God, life, and faith did the author communicate?

What characters and situations were used to display Christianity, and why?

I know, I thin its dumb to I dont see anything christian in the books. But its for my stupid report, so no choice :]

Answer 1

To quote Tolkien himself (regarding Gandalf's death, which could be seen as being similar to Christ's death): ""Thus Gandalf faced and suffered death; and came back or was sent back, as he says, with enhanced power. But though one may be in this reminded of the Gospels, it is not really the same thing at all. The Incarnation of God is an infinitely greater thing than anything I would dare to write. Here I am only concerned with Death as part of the nature, physical and spiritual, of Man, and with Hope without guarantees."
[The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien, (#181)]

There are certainly similarities, and we see Christian morals throughout, but Tolkien hated allegory and wouldn't have directly used it himself. Christianity is there, we see it in the morals and interactions more than anything else, but this is more of the result of Tolkien being a deeply religious (and Christian) man. Certainly we see some Christian virtues in Frodo and Gandalf sparing Gollum (forgiving him of sin), of Boromir redeeming himself, in Gandalf sacrificing himself, in the fact that Gandalf is basically an angel, and so on and so forth. The Silmarillian is far more Christian, however, than LOTR.

Answer 2

When Tolkien wrote this books, as a Christian he deliberetely incorporated religion with directly saying "This is an allegory" - like C.S.Lewis and the Chronicles of Narnia.

Look anywhere in the books - read about the creation.
The lands were created by one ruler. Sauron was corrupted by one of the ruler's fallen followers. What does that sound like? God? God and his fallen follower who we now call Satan?

"The Lord of the Rings” teaches us to be humane, to follow the principles of Christianity. Sympathy for enemies determines a lot in the epic. It is both sympathy and humanity that prevent Bilbo from killing Gollum, who played a crucial role in the destroying of the Ring. Good, according to Tolkien, is not revengeful. It strives to get justice and will never shoot an arrow into the back of the Enemy."

I recomend this page: http://www.godweb.org/lordoftherings.htm

Answer 3

I don't understand why everything is forced into the little mold of Christianity. Why can't you accept that he wrote the books because he wanted to entertain people, not dictate religious beliefs.

Answer 4

The author didn't portray Christianity at all in the books.
In fact, there is almost no religion in the books anywhere.

Anything about Chrisitianity that you find in TLOTR is going to be your projected thoughts and values.

Answer 5

it's more about the wars in europe with the brits being the hobbits.
if you're looking for christianity, go to narnia.

Answer 6

Maybe try reading it again. Doing your own homework truly is best.

Good luck.:-)