Not a bad little book. I think the best thing about this book was that it got me thinking about the Lord of the Rings from a new perspective. I don't think the author's analysis is perfect, or even excellent, but it is eye opening. It causes one to think. And it got me excited to read the Lord of the Rings again!

Here are a few of my favorite quotes:

The hobbits' problem is, ironically, that they have no problems. They enjoy a virtually Edenic existenceso peaceful are their relations, so delightful are their pleasures, so just are their laws. The life of the Shire constitutes, in fact, Tolkien's vision of life as it is supposed to be lived. Hobbits were not meant to bear the burdens of the world, but rather to preserve a last unspoiled corner of Middle-earth as a haven of modest and exemplary life. Yet the hobbits have lived in safety and comfort for so long that they are threatened by complacency and selfsatisfaction. Since they have had no emergencies in recent memory, they assume that crises will never arise. Inward complacency and decay, Tolkien suggests, is altogether as threatening as out ward assault. Thus have the hobbits come to take for granted what should have been a perennial cause for both vigilance and thanksgiving-the protection provided them by many unknown friends outside the Shire: There in that pleasant corner of the world they plied their wellordered business of living, and they heeded less and less the world outside where dark things moved, until they came to think that peace and plenty were the rule in Middle-earth and the right of all sensible folk. They forgot or ignored what little they had ever known of the Guardians, and of the labours of those that made possible the long peace of the Shire. They were, in fact, sheltered, but they had ceased to remember it. (1.14) (p.99)

More importantly, he sees that Eowyn's love is romantic in the bad sense: it's an infatuation. She has no experience of Aragorn that would enable her truly to know and love him. She is enamored, instead, with his image. She seeks her own exaltation by partaking of his gallant persona. Hence Aragorn's prudential wisdom in making this confession to her brother Eomer: Few other griefs amid the ill chances of this world have more bitterness and shame for a man's heart than to behold the love of a lady so fair and brave that cannot be returned.... And yet, Eomer, I say to you that she loves you more truly than me; for you she loves and knows; but in me she loves only a shadow and a thought: a hope of glory and great deeds, and lands far from the fields of Rohan. (3.143) (p.90)

Most of the free creatures in Tolkien's world reverence the good creation with their craftsmanship. A craft requires lifelong discipline and laborious effort, unlike the instantaneous results of magic. Gandalf's fireworks, by contrast, are matters of skill and labor rather than sorcery-even if his wand seems to be a supernatural gift. Once Gandalf suspects that Bilbo has come into possession of the magical Ruling Ring, he spends many decades in his quest to confirm his hunch. Repeatedly Tolkien stresses the importance of patience, the willingness to avoid the shortcut and the easy way, recommending instead the slow and arduous path that leads to every excellence. Anything worth doing well is worth doing slowly. (p.32)

For Tolkien, the modern obsession with quantity rather than quality of life is the mark of our unbelief. To be obsessed with prolonging our existence well beyond the bounds of our allotted biblical years is to worship life rather than the God of life. Someone has said that, if asked about the chief purpose of human existence, many denizens of the modern West would reply, if they could muster the candor: "It is to stay alive, not to die, and the purpose of staying alive is to have a good time." (p.74)

I really like Ralph Wood's writings. I have read another book he has written on Flannery O'Connor, and found his insights valuable. This book is no different. I recommend it highly.

A fun and thought-provoking guided tour of Tolkien's fantasy world from a Christian perspective. (One minor quibble is that the author chose the RSV for his Bible verses, which I find is a very dull translation - extra strange in the context of Tolkien's poetic language.)

All Tolkien lovers - please read. I have no other words at this point. Still speechless. ❤❤

More accurately: "Tolkien in light of the Apostle Paul" (said in jest)

A deep analysis of Tolkien's work.

It wasn't what I was expecting. If you are. A huge Tolkin fan and know the Hobbit & LOTR on an in depth level you will probably enjoy this more than I did. I have read and enjoyed the books but only once so some references were lost in me.

Re-read for a current essay project on Tolkien's use of pity in Return of the King. Even though it wasn't on topic, I especially appreciated the discussion of art helping with endurance in order to practice courage.

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A thoughtful meditation on Tolkien's work that I heartily enjoyed. I listened to an audiobook, but definitely want to add a paperback to my library eventually. Highly recommend.

There are many books out there that are trying to Christianize works of literature and popular media these days. I am sure you have seen them. Books that claim you can find Christ in Harry Potter, The Matrix, and Star Wars. I think we can agree that in most cases these books are really IMPOSING Christianity on these works. But J.R.R. Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings" is different. In "Letters", page 243, Tolkien himself states that the "Lord of the Rings" is a "fundamentally religious and Catholic work." These are Tolkien's very own words. He confirms the Christianity of his epic yet again on page 172 of "Letters" when he states that "The religious element is absorbed into the story and the symbolism." So, right of the bat "The Gospel according to Tolkien" is set apart from other books of the genre. Ralph Wood is not imposing Christianity on "The Lord of the Rings", he is exploring the Christianity that Tolkien himself integrated into his great work of literature.

Ralph Wood's book is a very good introduction to the Christianity of the "Lord of the Rings." He makes it clear that reading the "Lord of the Rings" with the eyes of faith will greatly enhance ones understanding of what Tolkien was doing in writing his great epic. The only problem for me is that Ralph Wood decided to write his book from an ecumenical perspective. The themes he explores in his book are those that are shared by all Christians. Now I realize that one can view this as a very good thing. But Tolkien was a Catholic, and the "Lord of the Rings" was deeply affected by his Catholic faith. So if one explores the Christianity of the "Lord of the Rings" without exploring the Catholicism of it, I feel we are left with a somewhat incomplete study. Ralph Woods touches on the Catholic aspect only briefly now and then. He does state that the Elven "Lembas" bread is highly reminiscent of the Eucharist. Ralph Wood also mentions that the Vala Elbereth parallels the Catholic view of the Virgin Mary. But, to my recollection that is the limit of Wood's exploration of the specifically Catholic elements of the "Lord of the Rings." This is why I stated that Ralph Wood's book is a good INTRODUCTION to the Christianity of Tolkien's books. There are many books out there that explore the full religiosity of the "Lord of the Rings" in a complete manner. Still, I would recommend you read "The Gospel According to Tolkien" first before going deeper into the Theology of Middle-Earth.

Overall very good with good insights and connections to Scriptural themes. Noticed a couple of errors that surprised me: on p. 90 hestates that Farmer Cotton helped Frodo and his friends "from the very beginning"--should be Farmer Maggot. And later on p. 155 he states that Aragorn and the two hobbits give Boromir a reverent funeral ceremony--should be Aragorn, Legolas (the elf), and Gimli (the dwarf). Those, however, are minor faults and the book is worth the read.

Too bad the highest rating allowed on Goodreads is only 5 stars. If you needed more reasons to love Tolkien, this book is the answer. Nothing is done without a purpose in his works. Unlike other writers, Tolkien does not make his Christianity blatantly obvious or shove it in your face. But the amazing thing is that it's still there, subtly, in everything. This book explains in good detail how Tolkien weaves it all in.

Not sure how I feel about the overall book, it covered enough topics that it won me over in the end. I just enjoy listening to people talk about LOTR, it didn't seem like there was that much biblical discussion here. I gained a brand new perspective on the antagonists in the series and feel more like Gandalf and the others who had pity for Saruman, Gollum, and Denethor.