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***Mithadan*** · 04-23-2002, 12:30 PM

My views on this issue are well-known. While Tolkien's Christian heritage and beliefs influenced his writing and Judeo-Christian mores or morality may have seeped into his work, the Hobbit, LoTR and the Silmarillion are not "Christian novels." No religious group can or should claim "ownership" of Tolkien's work; it transcends such labels. Tolkien himself repeatedly denied allegorical intent and I am inclined to believe him, particularly considering his intent and his sources.

JRRT stated that he wished to write a good yarn. However, his scholarly background in languages and history, his attention to detail as well as his personal philosophy created a synergy which resulted in his work becoming much more than a simple story. In the "valid criticisms" thread I suggested that Tolkien, a great fan of mythology and "fairie stories", wrote what he would have liked to read -- an adult myth, based upon a (fictional) oral tradition. His sources are generally, though not exclusively, what many now call "pagan" mythology; stories which pre-date Christian influence. But suffused as they are with Judeo-Christian morality in combination with ancient heroic themes, his work struck a chord in modern readers. But it is not solely a Christian chord. The appeal of his work approaches universiality and can be appreciated, discussed and interpreted notwithstanding the reader's world view.

To say that a Christian background is needed to appreciate or understand Tolkien's writing is simply erroneous. One might as well say that a background in the Icelandic Eddas, the Kalevala or Beowulf is needed to comprehend LoTR, a similarly erroneous position. Ironically, LoTR and Tolkien have periodically suffered from the same backlash that the Potter books are now experiencing. That, as fiction addressing the magical and the supernatural as well as non-human races, LoTR is antithetical to and in conflict with Christian belief. While I also believe this is not so, LoTR and the related works cannot be shoehorned into the category of "Christian writings".

[ April 23, 2002: Message edited by: Mithadan ]

[ April 23, 2002: Message edited by: Mithadan ]

04-23-2002, 12:30 PM	#2
*Mithadan* Spirit of Mist Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Tol Eressea Posts: 3,393	My views on this issue are well-known. While Tolkien's Christian heritage and beliefs influenced his writing and Judeo-Christian mores or morality may have seeped into his work, the Hobbit, LoTR and the Silmarillion are not "Christian novels." No religious group can or should claim "ownership" of Tolkien's work; it transcends such labels. Tolkien himself repeatedly denied allegorical intent and I am inclined to believe him, particularly considering his intent and his sources. JRRT stated that he wished to write a good yarn. However, his scholarly background in languages and history, his attention to detail as well as his personal philosophy created a synergy which resulted in his work becoming much more than a simple story. In the "valid criticisms" thread I suggested that Tolkien, a great fan of mythology and "fairie stories", wrote what he would have liked to read -- an adult myth, based upon a (fictional) oral tradition. His sources are generally, though not exclusively, what many now call "pagan" mythology; stories which pre-date Christian influence. But suffused as they are with Judeo-Christian morality in combination with ancient heroic themes, his work struck a chord in modern readers. But it is not solely a Christian chord. The appeal of his work approaches universiality and can be appreciated, discussed and interpreted notwithstanding the reader's world view. To say that a Christian background is needed to appreciate or understand Tolkien's writing is simply erroneous. One might as well say that a background in the Icelandic Eddas, the Kalevala or Beowulf is needed to comprehend LoTR, a similarly erroneous position. Ironically, LoTR and Tolkien have periodically suffered from the same backlash that the Potter books are now experiencing. That, as fiction addressing the magical and the supernatural as well as non-human races, LoTR is antithetical to and in conflict with Christian belief. While I also believe this is not so, LoTR and the related works cannot be shoehorned into the category of "Christian writings". [ April 23, 2002: Message edited by: Mithadan ] [ April 23, 2002: Message edited by: Mithadan ] __________________ Beleriand, Beleriand, the borders of the Elven-land.