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However, even if one accepts a 'Christian sub-text' to the story all that proves is that Tolkien was a Christian & the story reflected his worldview. That said, he deliberately 'concealed' any explicit reference to his religion, which means that if you don't want to pick up on the sub-text you can safely ignore it.
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As I read this thread, I appreciate more and more the influence CSL had upon Tolkien. Perhaps seeing the success (in terms of the goals of CSL as author, rather than in the business sense) of Lewis' works set upon JRRT a stronger sense of mission in his own work. The application of the Christian concept not as a preachy lesson to be learned, but adding a layer of depth and meaning to the Ea universe, and also enforcing a validity to Fairy that otherwise would not be there (and not attempted before in literature). Not saying it was necessary or needed, but perhaps in the authors mind, a slight elevation in scope was a good thing.
