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***Mithadan*** · 10-07-2000, 08:28 AM

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Wight
Posts: 163</TD><TD></TD></TR></TABLE>
<img src="http://www.barrowdowns.com/images/posticons/sting.jpg" align=absmiddle> Re: The Downfall of Numenor

An intriguing theological discourse. Notwithstanding my personal beliefs, I prefer to remain secular here. I would not argue that JRRT's works do not contain theological, and often judeo-christian, undertones. However, this is inherent to the nature of mythology and the saga, the style or genre of JRRT's writings. Despite his suggestions that he desired to write fairy stories for children and adults, what he wrote was in the nature of norse epics or icelandic sagas. His sources are well documented.

While JRRT writes of morality, good vs. evil and other theological topics in his tales, the inclusion of such topics was necessarily a component of the genre he was working in. Would I rule out JRRT's conscious inclusion of such undertones? Of course not. But was his work intended to be theological in nature as opposed to merely containing "classic" philosophical/theological implications? In my opinion, the answer is no. Nonetheless, the reader has the opportunity to gain what he or she may from the work, whether mere enjoyment and suspension of disbelief or theological inspiration. This is yet another example of why JRRT's writings are so well received and appreciated. <img src=smile.gif ALT="

">

--Mithadan--
"The Silmarils with living light
were kindled clear, and waxing bright
shone like stars that in the North
above the reek of earth leap forth." </p>Edited by: <A HREF=http://www.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_profile&u=00000004>Mithadan </A> at: 10/7/00 10:31:16 am

10-07-2000, 08:28 AM	#14
*Mithadan* Spirit of Mist Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Tol Eressea Posts: 3,314	<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Wight Posts: 163</TD><TD></TD></TR></TABLE> <img src="http://www.barrowdowns.com/images/posticons/sting.jpg" align=absmiddle> Re: The Downfall of Numenor An intriguing theological discourse. Notwithstanding my personal beliefs, I prefer to remain secular here. I would not argue that JRRT's works do not contain theological, and often judeo-christian, undertones. However, this is inherent to the nature of mythology and the saga, the style or genre of JRRT's writings. Despite his suggestions that he desired to write fairy stories for children and adults, what he wrote was in the nature of norse epics or icelandic sagas. His sources are well documented. While JRRT writes of morality, good vs. evil and other theological topics in his tales, the inclusion of such topics was necessarily a component of the genre he was working in. Would I rule out JRRT's conscious inclusion of such undertones? Of course not. But was his work intended to be theological in nature as opposed to merely containing "classic" philosophical/theological implications? In my opinion, the answer is no. Nonetheless, the reader has the opportunity to gain what he or she may from the work, whether mere enjoyment and suspension of disbelief or theological inspiration. This is yet another example of why JRRT's writings are so well received and appreciated. <img src=smile.gif ALT=""> --Mithadan-- "The Silmarils with living light were kindled clear, and waxing bright shone like stars that in the North above the reek of earth leap forth." </p>Edited by: <A HREF=http://www.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_profile&u=00000004>Mithadan </A> at: 10/7/00 10:31:16 am __________________ Beleriand, Beleriand, the borders of the Elven-land.