Posted on 11/17/2005 8:56:40 AM PST by Petrosius
Does that make cloning...more or less what was being done when the uruk-hai were being made, satan's work?
I read that Tolkien denied he was trying to symbolize Christ in LOTR. Nevertheless, the story is so obviously filled with Catholic symbolism and morality, even if there are no direct mentions of it, his writings were so obviously influenced by Catholic teachings.
interesting article...thanks
Ping for later reading.
pingy
Pagan is as pagan does. And God is not so inscrutable as to be merely a "gleam."
"I have not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth: I said not unto the seed of Jacob, Seek ye me in vain: I the LORD speak righteousness, I declare things that are right." -- Isaiah 45:19
There is paganism, found in LOTR and Harry Potter, and there is faith in Christ crucified, found in Scripture. They are the antithesis of one another.
As literature, these books are fun to read. As theology, they are empty noise and vain imaginings.
"Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." -- 1 Corinthians 2:12-14
"For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly." -- Romans 5:6
Life is on God's timetable, not man's.
Bttt
Don't think Tolkien wrote them to be masked theology...but the theology he believed in sneaks into it. IMHO, and being very familiar with the matrix of legendary material that Tolkien also studied and that influenced his work.
He clearly states that he chose things the way he did not to be drawing allegories. But when you see things like the creation story in the Silmarilion, it is quite clear that all of these things have influenced the professor. Including being in the time and era he was when he started playing with it.
Still a great, good rousing story where good triumps over evil, and we are glad for it.
bump for later read
That, sir, is an example of "total depravity".
Tolkien denied that the books were allegory. His statement was (and there's a quote out they're somewhere) that "I'm a Catholic, so naturally my work will reflect my beliefs." (that's a very bad paraphrase).
Of course there's paganism and evil in LOTR. There's paganism and evil in the world. Doesn't mean we shouldn't read about them and learn from them. It's the same with the works of C.S. Lewis.
These men used the gifts God gave them to create marvelous works of literature. And, as with all of creation if we view them properly, we can see God in them, whether that was the author's intent or not.
Now, excuse me whilst I get back in line for my "Goblet of Fire" tickets...
Since neither Tolkien nor Rowling ever said they were writing Theology, your point is irrelevant.
NO!! Do NOT besmirch Boromir in that way!!
I feel like we've been around this tree so many times we've worn a rut. :~D
ROTFL! Oh my sides :~D
ROTFL!!
I've been waiting a long time for the right opportunity to use that graphic.
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