The Lord of the Bible?

[Bêthberry]

Originally Posted by Sauce

There are elements of the perilous realm within Tolkien's writings - Old Man Willow and the Barrow Wight, for example - but overall it is sanitised. In particular, its "rulers" (Tom Bombadil, Alf the Prentice and Galadriel) are largely devoid of the tricksy, mischievous and sometimes immoral characteristics generally found in traditional Faerie beings.

Very true. At least for me, Galadriel is not terrifying. Jackson's pyrotechnics were horrifying, but that is a different matter.

Why do you think this difference exists between the malevolent aspects of Fairie and Tolkien's versions?

Originally Posted by davem

What, exactly, are these specifically Christian aspects of the story? Are they really there, or was Tolkien simply interpreting 'universal' symbols in his own work from a Christian perspective?

I wonder if it would help matters if you could give an example, davem, of a work which you consider to be a Christian work? What would in your eyes consitute a successful Christian work?

[The Saucepan Man]

Originally Posted by Bêthberry

Why do you think this difference exists between the malevolent aspects of Fairie and Tolkien's versions?

In my view, because Tolkien sanitised Faerie to accord with the tenets of his faith. Hence my question:

Originally Posted by The Saucepan Man

... might it be said that, as far as Tolkien was concerned, the Christian themes within the book trumped its mythological roots?

If so, then that seems to me to be a good basis for arguing that, from the perspective of authorial intention, LoTR may properly described as a specifically Christian work, rather than simply a "universally mythological" one.

[davem]

Originally Posted by Bêthberry

I wonder if it would help matters if you could give an example, davem, of a work which you consider to be a Christian work? What would in your eyes consitute a successful Christian work?

Oh, the Narnia books, Pilgrim's Progress, HDM.