Finding God in 'The Lord of the Rings'

Family.org ^ | Jim Ware

[RickyJ]

Why am I not surprised someone with the screen name of sourcery would post an article like this?

[sourcery]

Etymology of my handle "sourcery": By profession, I am a computer scientist/software engineer. I write software ("source code") at the "wizard" level. Hence, "sourcery" connotes "writer (source of) of source code at the sorceror level." I have no interest whatsoever in witchcraft or the occult. You will note that I have been a member of this forum for more than three years--with the same handle.

[grimalkin]

What are you talking about?

[Texaggie79]

More here and also a new theatrical trailer is up at the main site here.

[Cruise Missile Diplomacy]

"My Preeciioouus" Bump!

[Texaggie79]

Ping

[Truthsayer20]

I can't wait until the movie comes out!

[ewchil]

ditto

[general_re]

If by "main site" you mean the official New Line site, it's www.lordoftherings.net, not www.lordoftherings.com...

Now bow down in the face of my mastery of all things geeky and my essential geekitude ;)

[JZoback]

"The Lord of the Rings" trilogy was my primer for spiritual growth. I seroiusly doubt I would be a Christian today if I did not read these books.

[EternalHope]

Bump for my favorite book(s), and hopefully for my favorite movie(s) (expectations are high, and will be hard to meet).

[Green Knight]

Neither can I. I'm literally COUNTING the days. (No, seriously, I am. 52 days to go.) ;)

[Paul Atreides]

I was going to make my handle "Emperor of The Known Universe" but I didn't want to brag.

[prisoner6]

So long ago I read the stories of Lewis an Tolkien. The images for me, especially those from Middle Earth, were compeling.

Of course I recognized, or thought I recognized the inherent Christianity. The Trilogy became an oft-visited friend and even though it was a very busy time for me, I comsumed as much of The Sillmarillion as time would allow.

And then something odd occured to me.

So many friends were becoming so immersed in the ficition that it was seemingly replacing reality. For example instead of celebrating traditional summer events, we'd have a huge festive gathering at mid-year, or Mid-Lieth if I recall my Tolkien correctly.

Some of us took names patterned after our favorite characters or races.

Some of us who began focusing on The Sillmarillion whispered to each other in the "inner circles" what a beautiful alternative telling of Creation the work was.

And therein lay the danger I began to recognize.

When The Great Fiction became more revered by some than The Story on which it was based, I fear too many fell. I was saved when I realized how long it had been since I read or related my life to The Bible, but how The Silmarillion was becoming a daily reference.

So although Tolkien's works stayed with me, I put the books down so much so that I have never actually finished The Silmarillion.

The stories are still often told in my house, my children have come to know them well. However I have always cautioned them to not let them become their masters; not fall into the trap of obsession as so many of my friends did, and remain so today.

It's a similar story with Star Trek of Star Wars or any number of other works of fiction. Enthusiasm and love of the work is fine, and reading especially encouraged. But fanatacism and obsession is the danger. And while the works themselves are hardly to blame, it's Man's inherent weakness to try and replace God's works with his own that pays tribute to The Evil and is one of Satan's Songs.

Can't wait for the movie!

prisoner6

[FormerLib]

I often think of Tolkien and Lewis whenever I see a posting from someone who claim that their superior powers of logic and reason lead them away from faith. Such a pity that they cannot recognize the sins of pride and self-worship!

[elbucko]

My first ex-wife was reading the "Rings" when I got rid of her. Your "confession" reinforces the wisdom of my decision. Thanks.

[Brett66]

This might be the best movie of the year. Looking forward to it,especially if it doesn't wallow in new-age spiritism.