Trilogy and Bible? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Marileangorifurnimaluim · 01-24-2002, 08:54 PM

The purpose of allegory is to teach (one reason I avoid it as fervently as Bilbo dodged the Sackville-Bagginses, and I get the impression Tolkien felt the same). It's a hollow mechanism, a candy coating on medicine. Bleah!

The purpose of the LotR is to entertain. And it does just that.

But themes common in Christianity are in there, good and evil, redemption, sacrifice, which give the LotR moral dimension and depth. That doesn't mean that Christianity has a lock on good/evil/redemption, or anything else.

For some it's difficult to erase some negative associations with the word 'Christian.' I'm speaking of course of Christian Theology, not politics.

Theology embraces and is open for discussion.
Politics divides, classifies, and creates 'positions.'
Theology puts the spirit before the law.
Politics puts the law before the spirit.

This thread seems to be geared for looking for common Christian themes. You could just as easily search for Buddhist or Hindu themes (and probably find some of the same ones).

[ January 24, 2002: Message edited by: Marileangorifurnimaluim ]

01-24-2002, 08:54 PM	#1
Marileangorifurnimaluim Eerie Forest Spectre Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Buried in scrolls of fanfiction Posts: 798	The purpose of allegory is to teach (one reason I avoid it as fervently as Bilbo dodged the Sackville-Bagginses, and I get the impression Tolkien felt the same). It's a hollow mechanism, a candy coating on medicine. Bleah! The purpose of the LotR is to entertain. And it does just that. But themes common in Christianity are in there, good and evil, redemption, sacrifice, which give the LotR moral dimension and depth. That doesn't mean that Christianity has a lock on good/evil/redemption, or anything else. For some it's difficult to erase some negative associations with the word 'Christian.' I'm speaking of course of Christian Theology, not politics. Theology embraces and is open for discussion. Politics divides, classifies, and creates 'positions.' Theology puts the spirit before the law. Politics puts the law before the spirit. This thread seems to be geared for looking for common Christian themes. You could just as easily search for Buddhist or Hindu themes (and probably find some of the same ones). [ January 24, 2002: Message edited by: Marileangorifurnimaluim ] __________________ Deserves death! I daresay he does... And some die that deserve life. Can you give it to them?