|
|
 Have you seen The Fellowship of the Ring?
What is your take on the Tolkien trilogy?
Commentary by Greg
Wright |
Reader Comments, Page 9
These
pages were assembled from reader comments between January of 2001 and May of 2002.
These pages were last updated on May 31, 2005.
|
|
LOTR Coverage Index here
E-mail Greg Wright here
CROSSING
OVER THE LINE
Subject: Questionable Spirituality
in the Movies
Date: Tue, 22 Jan 2002
From: "Pepper"
I read the site info. email comments and
came up with this, I too am a born-again, blood washed Christian for
many years now. I do not see anywhere on the site that the authors
of these books gave an allegory as to what they meant hidden or
otherwise in their writings. Anyone can make anything seem
Christian. I saw some who objected and did not agree with you on the
books and saw you, however gentle or harsh, make fun of them. We can
agree to disagree. I have seen The Lion, witch and the wardrobe, and
the hobbit. both of which I disliked. I do not care for or c s lewis
writings. They were to dark and ominous for me. I was into
witchcraft and the dark things of satan before being wondrously
converted to Christ and when these writings give me the willies as
does Harry Potter then I say let them alone and stick to the
Scriptures and what they have to say.
I do not doubt the Christianity of either of
these writers but do stay away from their writings the same as I do
the rawlings woman's writings. They have simply crossed-ever the
line.
Response: I am glad you
are exercising discretion to stay away from what is harmful to
you. I am also glad you can see that it's appropriate to
"agree to disagree" with others on the issue
without questioning the authenticity of their
faith. -Greg
SENSITIVITY VS. IGNORANCE
Subject: Ignorant
Essay
Date: Mon, 21 Jan 2002
From: Carl Nelson
Just one sign of the factual ignorance. The
essay asks if Lewis's Christian faith rubbed off on Tolkien's
fiction. The historical facts show that Tolkien's Christian witness
was central in bringing Lewis to Christian faith. Tolkien was a
deeply committed Christian long before Lewis. For much of his life,
he was a daily communicant. (Yes, he was a devout Catholic.) This
alone, shows a deep and profound love for Jesus Christ. Tolkien
reported that his Christian faith was the most
significant influence on his writing of the Lord of the Rings.
The Lord of the Rings
has been voted the greatest English language book of the 20th
century for good reason. It is filled with true Christian insights
into life and the world that resonate with people because these
insights touch was is most truly human in us.
See the essays in the
December, 2001 issue of The Catholic World Report for much more
factual, carefully researched, and spiritually sensitive reviews of
the Lord of the Rings.
Carl Nelson
Urbana,
Illinois
Response: I think you missed the link to
my Essay Notes,
Carl. But thanks for the recommendation on the link to
the December issue of The Catholic World Report. I'm not so
sure if calling The Lord of the Rings "required reading for all
Christian families" is very "spiritually sensitive,"
though. God bless! -Greg
FANTASY FAN
Subject: The Lord
of The Rings
Date: Thu, 17 Jan 2002
From: Tracey
Hello! I must confess, I
am an ardent fan of (brilliant) fantasy movies and a
Fundamentalist/Evangelical Christian. I have heard all arguments
against Lord of The Rings, as well as the numerous comparisons
(although I don't think there is any comparison) to Harry Potter.
Yes, God despises witchcraft. Yes, I believe that people can 'open a
door' to spiritual attack/oppression from partaking in the occult. I
thought Lord of The Rings was brilliant! It was totally allegorical
- I could see so many similarities to the struggles/battles we face
as Christians. I saw on screen how relentless the Enemy is - he
never lets up! God seriously dealt with my judgemental tendencies -
Remember the part where Gandalf tells Frodo (paraphrased): "There
are dead people who should be living, and living people that should
be dead - you don't have the wisdom to decide who is which" Oh, my
goodness! I sat there and squirmed for the rest of the movie!!! I
loved it!
Tracey
Walk Worthy! Ephesians 4:1-3
Response: Gandalf's speech to
Frodo in Moria is certainly one of the film, and not just because of
the words; Peter Jackson has a great sense of the proper timing for
the speech in the context of the story as well. Thanks for your
comments! -Greg
GREAT INFO!
Subject: Fellowship_of_the_Ring_movie
Date: Fri, 18 Jan 2002
From: Teetee
Thanks for giving great
info!!!! I'm 11 years old and have an "anime" cartoon of Elijah
Wood[Frodo]I'm an art teacher and love the movie and books.
Response:
Wow!! Only 11 and already teaching. Thanks for not making me feel
obsolete at 40! -Greg
THE MOVIE WAS TOO
EFFECTIVE
Subject: The Fellowship of the Ring
Date:
Wed, 16 Jan 2002
From: Dana
Feldman
Unfortuntely I saw this movie. My inner self
was very disturbed by this movie. I was convinced to attend this
movie and I wish I had not gone. I several times wanted to get up
and walk out on this movie.. Is this the kind of movie a Christian
should be watching??? Maybe I just did not understand the
movie. I did understand what was going on.....this movie to me was
so bad for my spirtual man....I was ready to scream.
The effects of the movie was so real. But, This
was too real for me. Good against evil...I know what the book of
Revelation says and we win in the end.....
But, It really made me
cry. Sorry. I was saying. Would Jesus be watching
this??????
WWJD.
Response:
Dana, you bring up a very good question. I'm not at all trying
to be "smart" or anything to suggest that all Christians
might do well to ask themselves, "What would Jesus be doing
if He were me?" The answer certainly would not be:
cheating on his spouse; taking advantage of gullible television
viewers; speeding on the freeway; slacking off on the job;
or yelling at his kids. But he might (just might, mind you,
if he was sharing the good news with the friends he was with) be
sitting in a theatre watching The Fellowship of the Ring.
-Greg
TRUE
CONFESSIONS
Subject: Greg's Response to
Comments
Date: Wed, 16 Jan 2002
From: Joanna
Pastor Wright,
From your "Response to Comments" it
sounds like you had a lot of flak, and not a whole lot of
praise. Well I want to say that I appreciate your essay, your
research, and your graciousness. You've definitely given me
something to think about the next time I read LOTR. Though
I've noticed some of the spiritual themes you mentioned, I did not
analyse them seriously, and only thought them to be products of
Tolkien's Christian culture. Hey, i'm a physics/astronomy
major. Rather than the literary details, i paid more attention
to Tolkien's mistakes in his astronomical details! (which, by
the way, completely agrees with your argument, because the mistakes
- which were quite minor - show that Tolkien did *try* to accurately
describe the heavens as we see them today.)
Something I'd like to
comment upon is not your opinion in your essay, but the possible
reason why you got the negative reaction that you did. I think
that it was largely because, as you noted, you didn't put your
thesis up front, neither in the title nor the opening
paragraphs. A title like yours attracts Christians who are
die-hard Tolkien fans. But they don't know what to expect when
they start reading your essay. As your thesis becomes more
apparent, die-hard fans (especially Christians) will get irritated
because you're making a pretty darn good argument for why they've
been so naive in thinking the mythology of Tolkien was
Christian. But if your thesis was stated at the start, they
would have been more prepared, and perhaps not as irritated.
And I don't think it would have made your essay "terribly boring" at
all. In fact, I didn't quite know what your point really was,
without the explanatory comments in your "Response to
Comments." I guess I'm too spoilt by science articles which
come with an abstract at the top!
Ok, I admit: *I* was that irritated Christian
whose naive-ness was exposed! And yes, I was also irritated because
I felt that my "beloved" LOTR was somehow being threatened ;)
. But I think I was particularly annoyed because my mother who
has never read the books was telling me how the movie was all
"demonic" and that I shouldn't read it etc. I had just
finished telling her that Tolkien was a Christian, a friend of Lewis
(whom she'd never heard of), etc, but your essay seemed to "side"
with her (although I know it doesn't at all, but she would say it
did). So yes, I was initially annoyed by your essay, but as
one aspiring to become a scientist, I am charged by my profession to
be open-minded, and I quite appreciate the effect your essay had on
me.
Response: I just KNEW I was wrong! It's
so nice to hear that someone agrees with my own personal
assessment. I've been finding out lately that I actually ENJOY
being provoked, and naturally assume others do too; which explains
my in-the-face-of-convention writing style. Unfortunately,
this is not a particularly Christlike trait... Thanks for being
understanding and merciful, and for giving me some feedback on the
whole hullaballoo. I'm glad the net effect was
positive!! -Greg
THREE HOURS? WELL
SPENT!
Subject: The
Fellowship of the Ring
Date:
Tue, 15 Jan 2002
From: Kay
As I watched "the Lord of
the Rings" unfold, it soon became apparent that the theme was the
struggle between good and evil. I left the movie with a deeper
realization of how evil is evil! Also how easily I could
become just like that! So, for me, it was well worth the time
and money to spend three hours at at the movies and take away a more
conscious knowledge of how I must continually evaluate myself and
actions and realize how sin does so "easily beset" us.
thanks for the opportunity
to share this thought
Kay
Response: You're welcome!
-Greg
IN SEARCH OF THE RIGHT THING TO
DO
Subject: A Touchy Subject
Date: Tue, 15 Jan 2002
From: A Worker in the
Field
Greg,
I am brand new to
your site, but was intruiged (and satisfied) by the honest and
well-rounded comments that I found regarding the Lord of the
Rings. I am an exchange student and the leader of a Christian
group on campus, and lately, I have been fielding a lot of questions
on the recent Harry Potter/Lord of the Rings
madness. Something has deeply disturbed me since the very
beginning of this craze, and I wanted to discuss it with you.
Having never read the books, I proceed with caution in delivering my
opinion.
I have
questioned myself not about the topic covered in Lord of the Rings
(namely this fantasy world, or "prehistory of Earth" as someone on
your site called it), but rather the message that the success of
this movie (and Harry Potter) is sending to the people that produced
them. I would be very willing to accept that Tolkien had many
noble motives in creating this story, and that through reading it,
one can be enriched and entertained (though I, personally, am not
much a fan of fantasy). What really concerns me is the
underlying message to Hollywood, which is not at all concerned with
the spreading of the Gospel, and that in supporting these films, we
are giving the impression that such movies should continue to be
made. In the case of Lord of the Rings, perhaps this is a good
thing, but what about the ones that come out next? I am not
able to recommend this movie with a clear conscience only because I
am nervous about spending my money to support what Hollywood will
undoubtedly portray as interest in the occult and/or magic.
Maybe I am too militant in my position, but where do we as
Christians get off the boat of pop culture and start to show with
our pocketbooks what is in our heart (namely, that the name of Jesus
and the spreading of the Gospel is our primary concern).
Agh, I feel like such
a whiner, but perhaps you can provide me with some
clarification. Lord of the Rings is fuzzy for me, but Harry
Potter should be without a doubt condemned by Christians (seeing as
how the author openly blasts Christian ideals)...I am really grieved
by the fascination that these two movies (and the novels) have
generated and wonder, why can't Hollywood get behind something like
the Left Behind series and make a movie that technically rivaled
that of the Lord of the Rings. After all, if we are going by
the best seller lists, those books would take the cake! I saw
the Left Behind movie, and though I
was encouraged by the accuracy to the story, I was sorely
disappointed in the technical elements that contribute to my
enjoyment.
Okay,
enough rambling...perhaps you can clear some things up for
me.
Response: I'm glad you are seeking some
serious input on this issue, and taking your position of influence
seriously. Scripturally speaking, the notion that Christians
are to best express themselves through their pocketbooks is a wordly
one, not a Christlike one. And personally, I don't think that the
Left Behind or Omega Code movies are very good
presentations of Christianity, either. Besides being cheesy,
they are more about fear than love.
-Greg
A VIEW
FROM BOTH SIDES
Subject:
Reviews of the Movie
and the Book
Date: Fri 11 Jan 2002
From: Barbara Reeves
I just read your excellent review of "The Lord
of the Rings" movie and book from a spiritual viewpoint. I
agree. I was a witch for 25 years and was gloriously saved by
our Lord Jesus Christ 10 years ago. I read LOTR about 30 years
ago and really loved it and since the movie was coming out, re-read
it last year. My four kids and I have gone to see the movie
and really loved it--better than the books, actually. But it
makes me feel sad. The overall emotion and spiritual sense I
get from the story is loss, sorrow, hopelessness and
nostalgia. There is a line in one of the books that says, "All
the stories of Middle Earth are sad." So true.
I think they are not
written from a Christian worldview although the concept of
self-sacrifice and heroism in the face of impossible odds is good.
The movie is a little more "Christian" than the books, I
think. When Gandalf fights the Balrog in Moria, it almost
looks like spiritual warfare. When he tells the Balrog that he
is a servant of the secret fire, I wondered if that was not supposed
to be an oblique reference to the Holy Spirit.
I have now seen LOTR
movie 4 times and gotten something new out of it each time. It
is so truly moving in a spiritual sense, that I wonder if Peter
Jackson, the Prime Mover behind this project, is a Christian?
Also, I saw on your wonderful website, that Christopher Lee
(Saruman) is a Christian and that Sir Ian McKellen (Gandalf) is an
agnostic. I have read in lots of places that he is a
practicing homosexual also. Do you know if any of the actors,
producers, etc. are born again believers in the Lord? I wonder
if the Tolkien estate would have been concerned about the spiritual
background of the people who were going to make this movie.
On another note, I
thought this movie was very PERSONAL. It seemed to speak to
the struggle we have against temptation and what would each of us do
if faced with the burden that Frodo has. Not actually carrying
around a Ring of Power, but whatever the big temptation is for each
of us. My favorite line was when Frodo is looking at Galadriel
and tells her that he now knows what he must do , but he is afraid
to do it. Wasn't that a wonderful line? So true,
too. We all have to swim upstream against an overwhelmingly
attractive world system in order to obey God. Thank God for
sending Jesus to redeem us and the Holy Spirit to give us the
strength to do what we must do.
In conclusion, I really hope this does not lead
even more people into the new age way of thinking (though I bet it
will) and even moreso, that it does not shipwreck the faith of any
Christians. It is very entertaining but very vague. What
makes the good guys good? What's the difference in the hearts
of the good guys and the bad guys? Is it just that the bad
guys are ugly--REALLY ugly? And in bad need of
orthodonture.
God
bless you for your website. I had not stumbled across it
before, but I will be sure to check it out in the
future. God bless you for including the plan of
salvation. I will be praying for you and that many, many
people will get saved from reading your website.
If anyone who writes in to your website knows
the spiritual status of any of the people who made this movie, could
you print their response? Thanks. (Have you ever noticed that
in "bios" on famous people their spiritual beliefs are almost never
included? That just goes to show you what a
spiritual wasteland we are in at times)
Sincerely, Barbara Reeves
Response: Thanks for your
input, Barbara. It's good to hear from someone
who's had experience both with Wicca and
Christianity. We'll certainly post what folks have to say
about the faith of the artists involved with the movies; but do take
all that with a grain of salt. It's very difficult to really
know where a person is at in their relationship with
God. -Greg
AVOIDING REACTIONARY
RESPONSE
Subject: The
Fellowship and the Essay
Date: Thu Jan 10 2002
From: Lindsey Smith
I found your analysis of Lord of the Rings very
interesting. I am affraid that I have not had the patience for
much of Tolkien's "historical" background and details included in
the two books I have tried, numerous times, to read-- The Hobbit and
The Fellowship of the Ring. So when I went to see the movie, I
saw it with fresh, unbiased eyes.
Initially, I had a problem with all of the
sorcery, etc., as such things are strictly prohibited by God in the
Bible. I also had a hard time with the use of rings as power
for either good or evil, bc a ring itself is a symbol for God, who
can be only righteous/good. However, as I watched the movie, I
did see a great deal of correlation between my life as a Christian
and how I interact with God and the supernatural.
First of all, there
was a clear distinction between good and evil (something not present
in Harry Potter books, which I personally dislike). Second of
all, the Hobbits are on a journey, just as all men are-- saved or
not.
From reading
your analysis (which I assume to be well-researched), I gather that
the Hobbits are not a symbol for man, but man represents man.
Yet, there is a striking similarity between Hobbits and
Christians. They are not strong and capable, but they are
chosen anyway. Frodo and Bilbo both sin (that is, lust after
the ring and even put it on), and remain susceptible to
temptation. Yet, by some power, they are able to resist
succumbing to evil.
The Hobbits also endure constant attacks from
the dark side by creatures much like demons. I can relate to
the struggle of feeling so small and weak, yet somehow prevailing
over relentless hoards always crouched and waiting to attack.
The battles between the travelers and the evil ones were symbolic
and even inspiring to me.
Secondly, I see a strong correlation between
elves and angels, and the dark creatures and demons. The elves
seem like flat characters-- they fight for good across the
board. They are very much assistants, yet they seem to have a
will, too (as do angels as they are described in the Bible).
The dark creatures are described as former elves who gave over to
the dark side. If memory serves, I believe they were even
called "fallen."
[I must say here that analogies and allegories
are all like old cars-- at some point they break down. I
recognize that if what you say about the rest of Tolkien's writings
and his intent is true, my observations cannot hold water if carried
out to their ultimate ends. Yet,upon first examination the
similarities are striking, I believe.]
Thirdly, the original man to have become
corrupt with the lust for the ring was the King's son. I can't
recall his name, but I see him as a sort of Adam figure. After
he refuses to throw the ring into the fire, it seems that evil
begins to prevail and man is corrupt. I find it interesting,
too, that what I call demons, or the fallen "elves" (angels), fell
before man did. This also corresponds with Biblical history.
Fourthly, I see a
sort of Christ figure in the movie. Strider, the Ranger, turns
out to be the relative (heir) of both the original king and the
king's son, or Adam figure. Strider even has a scene where he
says, "The same blood runs in my veins." The same was true of
CHrist. Jesus was both divine and human. Strider
undergoes temptation, much like Christ did in the wilderness.
If you will recall, nearly every character who lusted after the ring
transformed into an evil creature until they put the lust away from
them. However, Strider did not. Jesus was tempted, but
resisted without sinning, even in his mind and heart. Jesus
also spent much time in prayer and always conceeded to the Father's
will. Symbolically, Strider knelt as he closed Frodo's hand.
Strider also comes
into the film as a curious character--not at all benign. Upon
seeing him in the tavern under a hood and noticing his constant
stare, he viewer wonders if he is for evil or good. A sense of
anxoiusness as the Ranger is being introduced. THe same is
true of Christ. Deep down, men either love Christ or they hate
Him. People are not neutral about Jesus-- they are provoked
one way or the other.
To back up this statement, I would say that
hatred comes in the form of alternate religions, such as Darwinism,
Atheism, Wicca, Islam, etc. People who adhere to those belief
systems are never neutral about Christ or Christians. They
generally go out of their way to single Him out and to aim a great
deal of disdain at His followers. Such people also have hatred
for literal interpretation of the Bible. It is clear,
unbelievers treat Christianity differently than any other
religion. THis lets me know that people are not neutral when
it comes to Christ. (In the same way, the viewer experiences
similar emotions in approaching the character of Strider.)
In addition, the
Ranger seems to remain in the position of helper, friend, protector,
and healer. He "lends his sword" to Frodo, runs to get a
special herb for him when Frodo is struck by the evil sword, and
carries him to the land of the elves where the Hobbit is eventually
healed. Notice, too, that the man (from Gondor?... did I
recall that correctly?) who at the end tries to take the ring from
Frodo confesses his sin to Strider, who tells him to be at peace and
then is there with him through death. After the man dies, it
is Strider who sends his body over the waterfall. I
interpreted this as a sort of thief-on-the-cross experience and saw
the waterfall scene as Christ's ushering a repentant man into
eternal life.
I am
so disappointed to find out (from your essay) that after the
Fellowship of the Ring, Strider does is not killed and raised again
to usher in salvation and the Holy Spirit. He is the perfect
character for it-- even royalty! Nonetheless, I plan to share
my analysis simply as a teaching tool with our youth group. I
believe that watching the movie and having such things pointed out
to them will give them a visual for understanding our fallen nature
and need for Christ. The most exciting depiction in the film
is the transformation everyone makes when lusting after power.
It becomes clear that everyone must deal with the sin issue. I
will, however, be sure to include a disclaimer and let them know
that the story does not end the way reality/history does--- with
Christ as the triumphant Redeemer.
Sincerely,
Lindsey Smith
Response: Thanks for your
input! I think you're taking the right approach to processing
this "entertainment." A caution about the "source of hate"
thing, though: there have been -- and still are -- plenty of
'Christians' who feel that hate is a godly value. So I don' t
think that those who oppose Christianity have the market
cornered... God bless! -Greg
A MAJOR COOLING OF
ARDOR
Subject: Essay on
Tolkien's Fiction
Date: Thu 10 Jan
2002
From: Joe Henthorne
First, let me commend you for providing me with
a thought-provoking overview of Tolkien's work. In my younger
days--actually throughout my college career--I had nothing but
admiration for Tolkien and his writing. In fact, like many of your
readers undoubtedly, I read the entire LOTR trilogy at least once a
year, I owned numerous secondary works on Tolkien and his writing
(both scholarly and trivial), I received (gratefully and with
anticipation) a calendar filled with various artists' views of
Tolkien's world each year from my mother for Christmas, I was moved
to study Old and Middle English language and literature at the
university, etc.
My
unreserved (and, I must confess, uninformed) ardor cooled, however,
as I began to take my Christianity seriously and to immerse myself
more in the Bible and less in the LOTR.
I recognized, first and foremost, that I had
many serious qualms about some of the central tenets of Catholicism
(Tolkien's professed faith). Now, I don't intend to engage in a
theological exigesis of Biblical text here in order to prove my
points, but I would respectfully submit that C.S. Lewis, who was
influenced by Tolkien, Christopher Wise, and others to examine
Christianity seriously, must have had some similar qualms since he
opted to join the Anglican rather than the Catholic church. In fact,
this was a point of contention between Lewis and Tolkien in later
years. Tolkien felt that, since he had been instrumental in "leading
Lewis to the Lord," that Lewis should have been grateful enough to
join the Catholic church.
Further, Tolkien's own statement that he
intended no specific allegorical significance in LOTR (especially
since this statement was in response to the early Tolkien scholars,
who were virtually all saying that they noted overt Christian
elements in the text) gave me pause for thought. As a Catholic AND a
linguist, Tolkien would undoubtedly not only have read the Bible,
but would, most likely, have read the New Testament in the Greek (I
don't know if he had a working knowledge of Aramaic or Hebrew or
not). Certainly, what he discovered in these readings must have
caused him to question some of the central tenets of Catholicism
(which, as any good Catholic would tend to do, he would simply have
equated with central tenets of mainstream Christianity). Little
wonder, then, that Tolkien would have had crises of faith! How could
anyone who had had Catholic dogma drilled into him from childhood
have failed to question the concept of worshipping and praying to
Mary and/or the apostles after having read and seriously considered
the actual message of the New Testament!
The upshot is that I
don't find your conclusions to be offensive at all. Rather, I would
have to say that they are more insightful than are those of the
myriads of Tolkien fans who are simply "too close" to the issue to
be objective (a position that I, myself, was in for years).
Don't get me wrong.
Can one make a case for Christian symbolism in LOTR?Absolutely. Just
as you point out in your article, however, any clear-headed scholar
would have to note the many dissimilarities between Tolkien's works
(which are all inextricably linked) and the Gospel accounts.
Gandalf, for instance, though he performs miracles of sorts and is
"resurrected from the dead," clearly misses the mark (by a long
bowshot!) as an allegorical counterpart for Jesus Christ. As you
note, he is not the savior of MiddleEarth--nor is he
sinless/infallible.
Ditto for Frodo. While we could claim that he
manifests certain Christ-like attributes (e.g. bearing the weight of
the ring for all of Middle Earth, being wounded in the hand, etc.),
he is far from infallible/sinless, he is not resurrected from the
dead, nor does he perform miracles (in any supernatural sense).
So, as Christian
allegory, I think that any objective reader--especially if he/she
professes to be a Christian--would have to admit that Tolkien's
works fail--or, at the very best, reflect a vitiated view of
Christianity (again, as you note in your essay).
Joe Henthorne
Fork Union Military
Academy
Response: Thanks, Joe. I think we have
travelled much of the same path. -Greg
THANKS
Subject: JRR_Tolkien_is_Right_On
Date: Mon, 7 Jan 2002
From: rob szpila
Dear David Bruce,
Your column is a wonderful breath of fresh air.
Your optimism in the grace of God is a gift. I think you're right
on. God's will won't be frustrated. We too often want God to work in
our ways, but God will do as God wills. And I feel as if you have
helped to identify the signs of God working in these times. It is
not easy to find the religous value in the world that is so closely
associated with our conceptions of sin. But we (some of us) know God
works there too, and perhaps more there, then elsewhere. Jesus
welcomedd the tax collector more joyously than the religious zealots
of his day, not that the tax collector was sinless.
So thanks for your
insight. I struggle to find God working in all areas of our culture,
and I'm glad I'm not alone.
A very merry Eucatastophe
to you. And a Christmas year of incarnate wisdom.
-Rob Szpila
Response: Thanks for the
great words. I appreciate them. -David
OCCULTISH AND DANGEROUS!
Subject: JRR_Tolkien_Is_Occultish_and_Dangerous
Date: Mon, 7 Jan 2002
From: "Christine"
We are ABSOLUTELY
forbidden in the Bible to have any fellowship with the works of
darkness. Any...and I mean ANY dabbling in witchcraft is an
abomination to God and EXTREMELY dangerous to a Christian...it was,
after all, punishable by death in Christ's time. It opens doors to
demonic oppression and possession. Let's not forget one of the
tricks the devil likes to use is to either have us think he doesn't
exist or make light of those things of darkness that are associated
with him. The Word tells us we are to ABSTAIN FROM ANY APPEARANCE OF
EVIL...and if going to see these movies is not an appearance of
evil, I don't know what is! What kind of witness is it to an
unbeliever? How would you be able to minister Jesus to that person?
Jehovah even forbids FORTUNE TELLING and ASTROLOGY ( horror-scopes,
I call them)...to forsee the future. It is all covered in the Word.
God, Jesus and the Holy
Spirit do not need to be brought to people on a platter trimmed in
half-truths, magic tricks and spells. Jesus paid for our sins once
and for all on the Cross and THAT IS ENOUGH OF A MIRACLE. The SON of
GOD came to earth to die for our sins...all of us and all of our
sins...but, He only did it once! We put Him to an open shame with
our luke-warm attitude towards magic and witchcraft.
If you knew what true
witches thought about Christans, you would not even address the
issure of Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings in such a cavalier
manner and if Tolkien truly lead C.S. Lewis to Jesus, he must either
have backslidden or was not properly "brought up" in the Word, or he
would never have written such a book.
These are not just my
thoughts....they are based on Scripture. True, Satan-worshipping
witches, by the way, want to see ALL of us Born Again Believers
dead. That came to me from "the horse's mouth", when I was
ministering to a friend to pull her out of WICCA...unfortunately,
she chose to stay...at least at this point. I do not give up hope!
Thanks,
In Jesus,
Christine
Response: JRR Tolkien and CS
Lewis are in no way satanic. They represent the very heart beat of
Christianity. Your idea of witchcraft, evil and darkness is way off
base, in that you connect it with CS Lewis. I suggest that you talk
to your pastor about such a connection. But thank you for your
thoughts. I always appreciate when people feel free to express
themselves. -David
TOLKIEN - RESPONSE TO CHRISTINE
Subject: JRR_Tolkien_
is right on
Date: Fri, 11 Jan 2002
From: Paul
Hello all - loved the
movie, loved Greg's review, agreed with the newsletter. But this is
more of a response to Christine's comments than anything else -
although I don't know if she follows this site or whether she will
be reading this or not.
Christine, I just wanted
to challange you on your understanding of "abstaining from every
appearance of evil" (I Thess 5 v 19-22). To put the verse in its
context, Paul is giving some short advice on prophecy. He advises us
not to stifle the holy spirit or scoff at prophecy, but test
everything that is said. The most direct and obvious application of
his words, then, is to the practice of prophecy, and to avoiding
misinterpretation of it. If anyone has concerns about the
inspiration of such prophecy, thinking it is of sinister origin,
then this appearance of evil should be avoided by carefully testing
everything said.
You may disagree with me
on this interpretation of the verse, but this is the immediate
context, and I don't believe that there are any other passages of
scripture which emphasize the outward appearances of doing the right
thing - inward motivation and attitudes of the heart are emphasized
more often. If we are going to make these words into a general
principle - that Christians must never do anything which is subject
to misinterpretation by the uninformed - then we must be careful
about lifting Paul's words out of their original context. This is
something to be very cautious of - after all, the Bible says that
"There is no God" (Psalm 14 v 1), if we are prepared to ignore the
context. If this is to be a general principle, it should be noted
that Jesus was accused of being "a glutton and a drunkard" (Matthew
11 v 19) by uninformed observers, by his association with the dregs
of society. Jesus stuck to his principles and his mission, even
though he risked misunderstanding by people who didn't really know
what was going on - therefore his actions are not consistent with
this "abstain from every appearance of evil" principle. This
suggests to me that just because people who haven't read Tolkien
think his books are sinister, that doesn't make him a backslider,
and going to see the film doesn't make people backsliders either.
I'll admit that I am
disturbed by society's obsession with all things occultish, and I
want to know why the books on Wicca and Paganism are much easier to
find and seem to be more numerous in my local branch of Waterstones
than any Christian books or bibles. But it won't help to go
condemning excellent Christian authors for their guilt by tentative
association. (If you'd read the books you would know that Tolkien's
"wizards" are not really human practictioners of the magic arts in
the conventional sense, like they are in Harry Potter, but are
mysterious and powerful characters, who are eventually revealed to
be essentially angelic beings). Personally I think it's good that my
non-Christian friends are watching a film that makes them think
about Divine Providence and Human Responsibility. I'm really glad
that the director Peter Jackson really picked up on that level of
the book - I didn't think he would. Just a little thought - I hope
you will give this further consideration.
Yours in Christ Paul Hutchinson
PS Is JK Rowling
really a Presbyterian Christian? I enjoyed the film, but I have to
admit to a bit of reserved concern that witchcraft comes off looking
pretty cool and exciting in her books. I'd like to find out more
about her own spiritual outlook, if anyone knows anything more about
her own beliefs.
ELIJAH WOOD IS A CHRISTIAN
Subject: Fellowship_of_the_Ring_movie
Date: Mon, 7 Jan 2002
From: Trinity
Hello. Well Yes. I loved
LOTR. I just thought I would tell all those who ponder such things.
Elijah Wood is a Christian. I was very excited when I found this
out. If any of you know about Orlando Bloom please leave a message
here.
Thanks, Trinity
P.S. Please do not post my e-mail address.
Thanks.
Continue to Comments Page 8
|
OFFICIAL SITE
The Lord of the Rings © 1999-2004 New Line Cinema. All Rights Reserved.
|
|
|
|
