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I think I agree that LOTR wasn't specifically written with Christianity in mind. Tolkien probably used many of the forms he was familiar with, however, in his writing (like the way he made the Shire a simile for rural Britain). He imbued the books heavily with a spirituality that he created specifically for M-E, and it appears that many of the forms of that spirituality are based on Judeo-Christian patterns (which he would probably be most familiar with, obviously).

The one he used most often, and is not a concept limited merely to Judeo-Christian theology, is prophecy (telling of the future from the deep past). In this case he uses "legends" and "songs" to pass forward the "prophecies".

And at this point in the story, with Aragorn's decision being critical to what comes after, the role of "prophecy" may be decisive: Aragorn knew intimately all of the prophecies about the King returning to Gondor (this in itself appears to be something based on Judeo-Christian forms) to claim Kingship from the Steward, and how only the rightful King could marshal the Army of the Dead (which was, for those with "eyes" to see it, a test of his rightful claim). And Aragorn knew that is was he who was to make the claim -- though it would have to be very "delicately" handled. Many others in the story, Elrond, Evenstar, Galadriel, Gandalf -- and probably Saruman and Sauron -- were also aware of the prophecies and that they pointed to Aragorn.

I think Aragorn's intimate knowledge of the prophecies and their application to himself was at least one of the reasons he made this particular choice (to go after Merry and Pippin). He knew more about his final role in all this than we are led to believe at this point in the story.

P.S. sorry for the long post -- it didn't start out that way...

It's a great long post! - I agree with you. I do not draw direct lines to Christian theology either. Though similarities in values and principles may exist, those values may also be present as the base for many theologies.

At the base of any religion is the placement of man in a world with both good and evil that are larger than himself, and the struggle of man to fight on the right side of the conflict.