The Lord of The Rings – Some Truth, But Not The Whole Truth

I finished the 1000 page book in January; I took three years reading Tolkien’s ‘Lord of the Rings’ Trilogy. I have watched the three films avidly each December since 2001. I claim no expertise on Tolkien or the famous Trilogy which has sold 50 million copies, but I admit being fascinated and hooked by the imagery, the parallelism, the story and the sermon

Is there legitimacy to such fascination with secular literature, or should we rather simply engross ourselves in biblical theology? I believe the Scriptural record would permit us the study, and indeed the use of secular writing as we seek to interact with the world. Didn’t the Apostle quote the Greek poets? If the world has a fascination with the Lord of the Rings Trilogy we should go into the world and explain that it tells some truth, but not the whole truth.

A PROVIDENTIAL PLAN.

In this tale both the minor and the major have their place; little things have a part in the larger scheme. Apparently random events are later realised as part of the grand design, and even the mightiest of characters must yield to this overarching plan.

There is truth there for us to proclaim. Not a hair falls from your head, nor a sparrow to the ground, but is known by the Lord. ‘He works all things according to the counsel of his will" (Ephesians 1:11).

THE HEROISM OF A HOBBIT

The main character is a little hobbit named Frodo, closely followed by his gardener Sam. He is the hero who, though small compared to other characters, is the one who carries the Ring to be destroyed. At first he is child-like and meek, yet through the journey he gains maturity, and at the end achieves a hero’s sanctity.

There is truth there for us to proclaim. Little and insignificant you may be, but true to your calling you must obey the Lord through life. This will be to your maturing, and your ultimate sanctification. Truth there is in Tolkien, but not the whole truth. While heroism in Middle Earth is by power and prowess, heroism before God is by obedience to his commands.

And only One was the true Hero, who journeyed through this life in perfect obedience, bearing the burden of our sin all the way to the cross that the power of sin might be destroyed and the penalty paid.

BROTHERLY LOVE MEANS BURDEN-BEARING

In love to the Fellowship, the little hobbit Frodo bore the burden of the Ring through the dangerous lands of Middle Earth. But all the while his faithful friend Sam bore him up with hope, and plain hobbit sense. At the climax, when Frodo had no energy left, Sam, who could not bear the Ring, bore Frodo himself some final steps.

There is truth there in that love for the brethren must involve our bearing one another’s burdens, even carrying our friends through their difficulties in life. Of course, the Middle Earth tale does not give us all the truth, for the greatest Brother was Jesus, who bore the greatest burden, when we were unable to bear it. Indeed, it is He who carries us all through life. Therefore, in imitation of him, we are to similarly carry others when they are unable to bear personal burdens.

DIVERSITY AND UNITY IN THE "FELLOWSHIP."

What a diverse group Tolkien placed together in his story, including fantasy races that previously were full of hatred for each other. When a dwarf can get along with an Elf, and the human Gondorians join forces with the Riders of Rohan, Tolkien is painting a picture of unity in diversity. This is necessary in the tale, for however they liked to view things, they were united in being threatened. Even the quiet Ents must be roused!

There is truth there, that when the people of God realise the magnitude of the threat against the church, there is more likelihood of unity in our diversity. The fellowship of the cross is such that our Lord has picked people from every race and tribe, and we need to fight together for the kingdom. Every Christian soldier must hold the line, together!

DISHARMONY AND DESTRUCTION.

Tolkien shows us how evil bears the seeds of its own destruction. The Orcs and the Uruk-hai battle between themselves, and even the final struggle between fallen Frodo, and apostate Gollum, displays how evil leads to destruction.

Tolkien displayed truth in this, but not the whole truth. Evil, for Tolkien, was non-being, and the destruction of evil was annihilation. The whole truth is that evil is eternally cast out of the good presence of God, and eternally meets his wrath.

CONCLUSION.

Ultimately, the Lord of the Rings is a call to action. Life in a private hobbit hole may be a very happy existence, but that quietness is threatened by things outside our private world, and we must be roused. A wise, old Gandalf must come to our Hobbit and awaken us from our complacency to our necessary journey, fulfilling our part in the Story.

Such is the call of Christ – Come, follow me.

STEPHEN ATKINSON

Editor of Evangelical Presbyterian, from the March April 2004 edition. By Permission

www.epc.org.uk