#021: Catholicism in “The Lord of the Rings”

J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings ranks near the top of almost every “favorite book” or “book of the century” list. Yet few readers know that Tolkien was a devout Catholic who infused his Middle-earth stories with Catholic themes and symbolism. In fact, the author stated, “The Lord of the Rings is of course a fundamentally religious and Catholic work; unconsciously so at first, but consciously in the revision.”

In this episode, Fr. Blake and Brandon discuss these Catholic features, including Providence, the sacramentality of Middle-earth, three Christ figures, the Marian dimension, the philosophy of evil, and the eventual victory of goodness and beauty.

LINKS

• Book Recommendations
  Frodo’s Journey: Discover The Hidden Meaning of The Lord of the Rings by Joseph Pearce
  The Power of the Ring: The Spiritual Vision Behind the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit by Stratford Caldecott
  The Philosophy of Tolkien: The Worldview Behind the Lord of the Rings by Peter Kreeft
  J.R.R. Tolkien’s Sanctifying Myth by Bradley Birzer
  The Battle for Middle-earth: Tolkien’s Divine Design in The Lord of the Rings by Fleming Rutledge
  Tolkien’s Modern Reading: Middle-earth Beyond the Middle Ages by Holly Ordway
  
• Other Links
  Brandon Vogt – “8 Books on J.R.R. Tolkien’s Catholicism”
  Frederic Heidemann – “I Was an Atheist Until I Read “The Lord of the Rings”
  Steven Greydanus – “Faith and fantasy: Tolkien the Catholic, The Lord of the Rings, and Peter Jackson’s film trilogy”