[PMCarey]

I'll get flamed for saying this, but here goes. Tolkein was a devout Roman Catholic, and while one may love the book, I believe that one cannot really understand the book unless one understands and - dare I say - embraces Roman Catholic doctrine regarding sin, temptation, evil, and in the end, Supernatural Grace.

[JenB]

We Presbyterians understand all those doctrines very well, thank you. The only thing in LotR a non-catholic might not "get", I think, is the stuff with Galadriel, some of which is apparently representative (not the right word) of your views of Mary.

But there's plenty in LotR that makes perfect sense to someone with a Calvinistic view...