Anybody familiar with the book: \"Lord of the Rings?\" - hence the astonishing movies (extended versions) of it? Tolkien led CS Lewis to the Lord. And though Tolkien was a Roman Catholic - his ideas were actually quite Protestant/Reformed, as revealed in many of his letters and other writings. He was one of the scholars who translated the Jerusalem Bible - and as a linguist/historian, understood the Redemptive-Historic design of Scripture.
\"Lord of the Rings\" is NOT a Christian allegory at all. However, if one pays careful attention, traits of Christian categories are everywhere - spanning an epic history.
But aside from that....as a piece of current culture, it is amazing that such a story - bearing so much beauty - unpolitical correct themes like death, self-sacrifice, racial dignity, loss and goodness - should appear in this \"present evil age.\"
As the \"Return of the King\" extended version, is set to be released December 14th --- an authentic treasure will be added to the arts. It\'s extraordinary to see a movie director not tempted by power and money - to compromise the portrayal of the most published book in the 20th Century - (second only to the Bible.)
Knowing how Tolkien used his worldview as an apologetic to Lewis - makes me wonder if the same tactic is ripe for use in our time as knowledge of the movie/book spreads? (Tolkien explained that his myth of middle Earth was based upon the \"One True Myth.\") This usage and concept relates to that \"pre-evangelism\" idea Francis Schaeffer teaches. The more I re-read LOTR, the more I\'m convinced that it goes so much further than CS Lewis Chronicles ever will. But to share in this discovery, one must brave the 1,200+ odd pages - numerous characters, plot-lines, languages and historical eras. (Whew! Sorta like the Bible, eh?)
The Reformers considered enjoyment of art like this, a blessing of \"Common Grace.\" Thank God Tolkien wrote the story for his own enjoyment - it is so beautiful!
\"Lord of the Rings\" is NOT a Christian allegory at all. However, if one pays careful attention, traits of Christian categories are everywhere - spanning an epic history.
But aside from that....as a piece of current culture, it is amazing that such a story - bearing so much beauty - unpolitical correct themes like death, self-sacrifice, racial dignity, loss and goodness - should appear in this \"present evil age.\"
As the \"Return of the King\" extended version, is set to be released December 14th --- an authentic treasure will be added to the arts. It\'s extraordinary to see a movie director not tempted by power and money - to compromise the portrayal of the most published book in the 20th Century - (second only to the Bible.)
Knowing how Tolkien used his worldview as an apologetic to Lewis - makes me wonder if the same tactic is ripe for use in our time as knowledge of the movie/book spreads? (Tolkien explained that his myth of middle Earth was based upon the \"One True Myth.\") This usage and concept relates to that \"pre-evangelism\" idea Francis Schaeffer teaches. The more I re-read LOTR, the more I\'m convinced that it goes so much further than CS Lewis Chronicles ever will. But to share in this discovery, one must brave the 1,200+ odd pages - numerous characters, plot-lines, languages and historical eras. (Whew! Sorta like the Bible, eh?)
The Reformers considered enjoyment of art like this, a blessing of \"Common Grace.\" Thank God Tolkien wrote the story for his own enjoyment - it is so beautiful!