Why I love the Lord of the Rings books

My Rings books. They are precious to me.

I took the week of Christmas off this year and took the opportunity to watch Peter Jackson's The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug movie and re-read The Fellowship of the Ring. I'm being indulgent, but it's my opinion that you should indulge yourself with things that are beneficial to you. For myself, The Lord of the Rings and their related books are beneficial.

As a Christian who believes that God has an eternal purpose for each human being, The Lord of the Rings encourages me to think big-picture thoughts and to live purposefully. Each of the hobbits in the The Lord of the Rings ends up playing a critical role in the war against Sauron, although it is not clear to them as they each fulfill their part of the quest. All they know is that, although it might be preferable to their immediate desires to flee to the safety and comfort of the Shire, they must persevere until their task is completed. For Christians throughout history, this sense of purpose and quest has inspired men and women to live lives worthy of their calling. John Bunyan captured this sense well in his Pilgrim's Progress. Times of rest, trial, and despair are to be expected--but there is also great hope to cherish and hidden strength to draw on. Jesus said, "In this world you will have trouble, but take heart for I have overcome the world." What is God's purpose for me? I can't share everything on the blog, but I know that His plan requires patient endurance, discipline, and courage.

The Lord of the Rings also reminds me of the folly of relying on wisdom or strength alone. The reason that good triumphs over evil in the end of the story is not because good overpowers evil, but rather that they refuse to fight against evil in the same manner. Sauron anticipates that Aragorn will wield the Ring against him, not help to destroy it. Gandalf and the Council realize that their hope lies in the courage and humility of hobbits. These hobbits are not ambitious or seeking power, but they are faithful to each other and to their calling. In the same way, Christians do not gain their victory by might or power, but by courageously obeying the leading of the Holy Spirit.

I understand that J.R.R. Tolkien was critical of allegory and surprised at some of the interpretations of his work during his lifetime, but he also wrote in his foreword to the revised editions that history, even feigned history such as the Rings universe, had applicability to the thoughts and experiences of the readers. This applicability to Christian experience is why I don't feel too bad about re-reading these thoroughly enjoyable books or recommending them to others.