Escape into Reality: THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO TOLKIEN

BreakPoint ^ | 17 Dec 03 | Chuck Colson

[Mr. Silverback]

THE RETURN OF THE KING, the final installment of the LORD OF THE RINGS movie trilogy, opens today, and like its predecessors, it shows every sign of becoming a record-breaking success. The worldwide popularity of these movies, like the continuing popularity of J. R. R. Tolkien's original masterpiece, reminds us once again of the captivating power of a well-told story. And the response to this particular story is especially encouraging. It shows us that even in a world steeped in moral relativism people still hunger for tales of the absolutes: the triumph of good over evil.

Of course, when some people look at Tolkien's tale of wizards, hobbits, and elves, they believe that fans of his work are merely science fiction fans fleeing from reality. And that may be the case for some. But in his new book, THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO TOLKIEN, Ralph Wood argues that the LORD OF THE RINGS helps us to "escape into reality."

Wood points out that, far from being a shiny, happy escape fantasy, the LORD OF THE RINGS deals effectively and movingly with subjects like death, war, hopelessness, tyranny, temptation, and the sinfulness of human nature. In short, it clearly reflects the turbulent twentieth century that Tolkien experienced, a time not very different from our own. As Wood writes, "Far from encouraging us to turn away from such evils, Tolkien's book forces us to confront them. Rather than grinding our faces in these horrors, however, it suggests a cure for the ills of our age."

That's because Tolkien's work, though not explicitly Christian, is grounded in his Christian understanding of the world. Unlike the pagan epics from which Tolkien drew in writing his book -- or the modernist novels of many of his contemporaries -- the LORD OF THE RINGS conveys a profound sense of hope. For although the story shows evil as horrifyingly real and destructive, it also shows the power and strength of goodness. The heroic actions of small, ordinary creatures against an overwhelming threat echo the biblical themes of God's strength being made perfect in weakness and the last becoming first. As Tolkien wrote elsewhere, a crucial theme in his work is "the ennoblement (or sanctification) of the humble." At the same time, as characters struggle against their own personal temptations, they show the weakness and fallibility of the human heart and our need for guidance and grace.

As C. S. Lewis wrote in his review of the LORD OF THE RINGS, "As we read we find ourselves sharing [the characters'] burden; when we have finished, we return to our own life not relaxed but fortified." Lewis and Tolkien knew, and Ralph Wood reminds us in his book, that there is a kind of escapism that Christians ought to encourage -- that is, the escape from a narrow, earthbound view of our own circumstances. This kind of escapism helps us to look at the bigger picture and understand the eternal moral truths governing our lives.

So why not take a skeptical friend to the movie? Engage the issues afterwards over coffee. Tolkien's books, and now the movies, are giving people a whole new perspective on reality -- a perspective that prepares them for a better understanding of the God who is ultimate reality.

[Mr. Silverback]

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[Guillermo]

Wait, but I thought LOTR was racist...

[Professional Engineer]

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[muleskinner]

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[cavtrooper21]

C-

Good post.

-C

[MichelleSC]

I went to see LOTR today and have to say it was great. The first 2 were great also, but this one semmed better in many ways. There was a nice wrap-up of the story and gave closure to many areas that seemed to be left open after Two Towers. Having not read the books I was a bit surprised about the ending. I give it two thumbs up!! Also should be a major oscar contender at least for Best Picture.

Return of the King is also longer than the other 2 -- I went to the 12:30 showing and got out at 4:00

[Cicero]

I think I read a piece of Ralph Wood's book in a scholarly journal a few weeks ago. I met him when I gave a talk down at Baylor a couple of years ago. I expect the book will be first rate. Wood is Evangelical, but he seems to understand and respect Tolkien's Catholicism.

One more sign, I think, that in today's cultural climate Catholics and Evangelicals have a lot of useful things to share with one another.

[Dacus943]

Saw the movie tonight! Word fail me! Hard to explain just how moving this epic is on the emotional levels.

This movie will sweep you away!!!

[Cicero]

[Paradox]

I just got back from the movie, and it has left me totally drained. I give it 3.5 stars out of 4. Easily the best movie I have seen this year.

[NewRomeTacitus]

Yes indeed. When life tells me to give up, there is no chance of success and all odds are stacked against me; great stories like this fortify my spirit and rekindle the flame of hope. To try ones best in the face of overwhelming adversity and carry on when logic dictates otherwise.
Tolkein was preaching the human spirit and encouraging all of us to never give up.

[Arkinsaw]

The mindless hordes from the east, with veils on their faces, versus the brave men of The West and intent on destroying them to a man and their culture down to the last statue. A very familiar story well told.

[ecurbh]

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[Malsua]

As I have read LOTR at least 10 times in the past 25 years, I have to comment if for nothing else than to feed my own solidarity with the movies.

The movies are GREAT. The extended DVDs actually mimic the book much closer. I will forgive Jackson for Arwin. Glorfindel would have been better placed.

Tom Bombadil is also conspicuously missing. Other than these few issues, the movies are resonably close enough I can forgive the differences. I never envisioned a movie could show what I had read when I was a child in the 70s. The movies have come as close as I feel it could have come.

I will see ROTK this weekend. I know the story, I know what happens, I simply can't wait to view it.

[jocon307]

"Having not read the books..."

LOL, did the dog eat them? You haven't done your homework!

My best friend had tried to get me to read these books for years. I tried "The Hobbit" when I was in my twenties and it did nothing for me. Then she & hubby agreed that I could not be qualified to view the movies without having read the books first, so several months before the first movie came out she bought me the first book, hubby got me the next two soon after.

I kind of struggled with them, I don't know why. I think fantasy is just not for me. But the first movie confirmed me in my vision of the book. I read them all, I'm pretty sure I'll read them again.

What I will say is that this movie (because due to the true artistic vision and effort that was made it is all really one long movie, just like the books are one long book) is the greatest transmission of book to screen I've ever seen. It can climb right up with GWTW and The Leopard and "lord" it over the rest of them.

And Sean Astin is the best thing in the whole picture.

[GeronL]

doesn't the STARZ cable channel run the second and first movies this weekend??

[MichelleSC]

Honestly...growing-up I read a lot but was never really exposed to the LOTR books. When the first movie was about to come out I thought about reading the books but thought I'd see the movie first then decide if I wanted to commit LOL

I loved the first movie and have seen it over-n-over. Two Towers was good too but didn't quite have the "grab" as Fellowship. King was breathtaking in it's vision and grabbed you emotionally and didn't let go even after it was over -- which few movies have ever done. Also, the acting was incredible. Sean Astin is wonderful (loved him in "Rudy") but the guy that played Aragon is very nice eye-candy lol The girl who played Eowyn was also outstanding. I really didn't like Eowyn in Two Towers but she more than made-up for it in King. Liv Tyler's screen time is to brief (she was made for the big screen) and Cate Blanchett is just great period.

I have to say BRAVO to Peter Jackson.

Back to the books. I recently thought again about purchasing the books to read but something tells me I won't enjoy the books as much as the films. The films alone have so much detail they almost overwelm the story itself with it grandness and scope. I guess I'll give them a second look :-)

[Arkinsaw]

I will see ROTK this weekend. I know the story, I know what happens, I simply can't wait to view it.

I saw it tonight. I think you will be astonished. Having this book made into these films during these three years is providence. They have a lot to say to the people of America in 2003 if they care to listen.

Sean Astin's performance in this one is twice as good as the previous two I think.

[Charles Henrickson]

I went to a special 10:15 showing this morning. Walked up to the window right at 10:15--no standing in line--and got a good seat right where I like it. Theatre was mostly full, but not sold out. I think it was the unusual time. When I came out, there was a line down the block for the 2:30 showing.

This is a wonderful movie, in so many ways! Just outstanding! I wanted the whole story to just go on forever! While Jackson has to delete or change some things from the books, he does capture the spirit and the imagination of the books so beautifully!

This is an uplifting story about courage, loyalty, friendship, hope, temptation. It is a story of big things--war, death--and of little things--daily vocation, doing your duty. There is feeling and warmth and emotion to this epic tale with big battle scenes. There is so much here to marvel at and mull over.