Trilogy and Bible? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Bombadil · 01-26-2002, 12:17 PM

I've posted these thoughts elsewhere, so pardon me if you're reading them again.

If you want Christian/Biblical allegory couched in fantasy, turn to C.S. Lewis's Chronicles of Narnia. Those have a creation, an obvious Christ figure, an obvious Satan figure, personal salvation stories, a character who turns her back on salvation, and a big Revelation-like finale.

Lord of the Rings has none of these. There are no references to God, period. None. While I certainly salute those who find religious meaning in LOTR, I suspect they carried those religious beliefs in with them in the first place.

As many others have pointed out, the heroic good-vs.-evil struggle can be seen as representing all sorts of ancient stories, not just Biblical ones. I grant that Tolkien's devout Christianity makes it probable that he was greatly influenced by the heroic good-vs.-evil struggles of the Bible; but going from there to the notion that LOTR is somehow a Biblical allegory is an enormous leap not supported by evidence. By that same logic, we would have to look for Biblical and Christian parallels in every work ever produced by any western writer. So, every time someone writes about good triumphing over evil, they're really writing about Christ's resurrection? C'mon.

The quote about LOTR being "fundamentally religious and Catholic" has been taken out of context many times. I am a church-going Christian who also happens to be a professional singer and songwriter. Every time I write a song it is a religious experience for me. But I have yet to write a song with Christian themes.

Again, I have no argument with those who say that they find religious meaning in LOTR. That's wonderful for you. But to say that the work is, by the author's intention, full of Christian and Biblical symbolism is quite another thing. And it is not an opinion shared by professional scholars who've spent their entire lives studying Tolkien and his writings. When I get my car repaired or want advice on a Medieval composer whose music I will be performing, I go to a professional. I think we can trust the professionals on this one too.

[ January 26, 2002: Message edited by: bombadil ]

01-26-2002, 12:17 PM	#11
Bombadil Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Old Forest Posts: 488	I've posted these thoughts elsewhere, so pardon me if you're reading them again. If you want Christian/Biblical allegory couched in fantasy, turn to C.S. Lewis's Chronicles of Narnia. Those have a creation, an obvious Christ figure, an obvious Satan figure, personal salvation stories, a character who turns her back on salvation, and a big Revelation-like finale. Lord of the Rings has none of these. There are no references to God, period. None. While I certainly salute those who find religious meaning in LOTR, I suspect they carried those religious beliefs in with them in the first place. As many others have pointed out, the heroic good-vs.-evil struggle can be seen as representing all sorts of ancient stories, not just Biblical ones. I grant that Tolkien's devout Christianity makes it probable that he was greatly influenced by the heroic good-vs.-evil struggles of the Bible; but going from there to the notion that LOTR is somehow a Biblical allegory is an enormous leap not supported by evidence. By that same logic, we would have to look for Biblical and Christian parallels in every work ever produced by any western writer. So, every time someone writes about good triumphing over evil, they're really writing about Christ's resurrection? C'mon. The quote about LOTR being "fundamentally religious and Catholic" has been taken out of context many times. I am a church-going Christian who also happens to be a professional singer and songwriter. Every time I write a song it is a religious experience for me. But I have yet to write a song with Christian themes. Again, I have no argument with those who say that they find religious meaning in LOTR. That's wonderful for you. But to say that the work is, by the author's intention, full of Christian and Biblical symbolism is quite another thing. And it is not an opinion shared by professional scholars who've spent their entire lives studying Tolkien and his writings. When I get my car repaired or want advice on a Medieval composer whose music I will be performing, I go to a professional. I think we can trust the professionals on this one too. [ January 26, 2002: Message edited by: bombadil ] __________________ "'Eldest, that's what I am... Tom remembers the first raindrop and the first acorn... He knew the dark under the stars when it was fearless - before the Dark Lord came from Outside.'"