Rereading - so good.

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Hey! I discovered the library has the audiobook and it is read by Nadia May. She is a fantastic narrator I can tell you after listening to the first CD.

I am also really enjoying this book. Some of the insights I already knew, but others are from things I didn't know referencing a larger literary view, Tolkien's past, history, and Christianity. Wood is a graceful and interesting writer.

FINAL
Simply fantastic. Though the audio was really good it was a bit more than I could absorb well without seeing it. (Just the way I'm made, I guess.)

I am going to get the print version so I can absorb it even better.

Ralph Wood is the best sort of scholar--he takes ideas from the "ivory tower" and makes them accessible to readers. The ideas he presents are illustrated with plenty of references to the books (though it would be interesting to see how he handles the Peter Jackson oeuvre). He builds a case for Sam and Frodo as the pattern for Christians, and shows how the other characters in the LOTR universe have their own roles to play. Well done!

Wood, Ralph C. The Gospel According to Tolkien: Visions of the Kingdom in Middle-earth. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2003.

Excellent insight and application of broader worldviews

E.g.
Lady Galadriel, played by Cate Blanchett in The Lord of the Rings trilogy, reveals a Sophia Christology, or Sancta Sophia. In Tolkein's fantasy world, Galadriel is the “Lady of Light,” telepathically wise and wearing shining white clothes. She is the mightiest, fairest, greatest of elven women and reflects Mujerista aspirations. As a nurturer, relator, comforter, ruler and guardian (Pr 4:5-9) there are obvious links to Virgin Mary as she has knowledge of prophetic things (Luke 2:19). She is a Christ-image in that she overcame the “temptation” to take the Ring and offers free entry to fellowship. As “Lady Wisdom” in the tradition of Songs of Solomon, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Sirach, she represents Christ as Teacher (Matt 5-7), Truth (John 14:6) and Light (John 8:12; Ps 119:63).

A thoughtful and profound examination of the heroes and quest of "The Lord of the Rings" as one of the best of guides to Christians striving, hobbit-like, to serve their King and His purposes in a work far greater than themselves.

An incredible book chalk-full deep insight into the Christian depth of Tolkien's work, both wide-ranging and acute.

Really great read and makes me excited to continue through the Tolkien universe. I have not even read half of his works and found this book still quite accessible. It is an insightful read that helped me to peel back the layers of this timeless story.

A very wise book, which I seem to re-read once a year since I first got it in 2004. There is something to meet me at whatever stage I am at in my life. And there is always something to give me insight about other people as well as about myself. At the moment I am reminded to beware of self-righteousness and the inclination to rush to judge others harshly. One of the temptations of Sauron is to let myself think I'm somehow better than people with whom I disagree.

Wood draws from various works of Tolkien to explore how themes of the gospel are manifested in the stories of Middle-Earth.

Far too sanctimonious and preachy for my taste.

Wonderful book.

This book is for anyone that is interested in the fundamentals of myth and religion historically and spiritually. It is also for anyone that loves The Lord of the Ring books and responds to their story at a deep level that they may not fully understand themselves. Tolkien was an amazing writer and scholar. This book by Ralph Wood brings to light why Tolkien's Mythologies feel so true.

Okay, wow. This book was good all the way through - very thorough, plenty of Biblical quotes and analysis in conjunction with them. But then the end hypothesis... WOW. This needs to be a thing in Tolkien academia. *adds to my list of papers to write*