Following Gandalf: Epic Battles and Moral Victory in the Lord of the RingsWhile the success of J. R. R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings is remarkable, it's certainly no mystery. In a culture where truth is relative and morality is viewed as "old-fashioned," we eagerly welcome the message of these tales: we have free will, our choices matter, and truth can be known. Matthew Dickerson investigates the importance of free will and moral choices in Tolkien's Middle Earth, where moral victory, rather than military success, is the "real" story. He explores Christian themes throughout, including salvation, grace, and judgment. Following Gandalf will delight veteran Tolkien fans and offer new fans an impressive introduction to his major works. Engaging and theologically thought-provoking, it will interest pastors, students, seminarians, and layreaders. |
Contents
Introduction | 11 |
Epic Battles | 19 |
The Wise of MiddleEarth | 47 |
Copyright | |
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Common terms and phrases
Ainur Aragorn Authority battle beauty Beowulf Bilbo Boromir bring chapter characters choice choose Christ Christian comes contrast dark death Denethor desire despair doom Dwarves earlier Elrond Elven Elves enemy Éomer Éowyn evil explore fact Fairy-Stories faith Faramir Feanor Fellowship fight film Finrod FOTR freedom Frodo Galadriel Gandalf gift Gimli glimpse glory Gollum Gondor healing heart Helm's Deep Hobbit hope Ilúvatar important incarnation J. R. R. Tolkien king later Legolas Lord Manwë means Melkor mercy Merry military victory Minas Tirith moral responsibility moral victory Mordor Morgoth mythology narrative nature Nazgûl Númenor objective morality Orcs Pippin Quest readers reality Ring Rivendell Rohan Rohirrim ROTK salvation Saruman Sauron seen Shippey Shire significant Silmarillion song spiritual plane steward story strength tale tells theme Théoden things Thorin Tolkien gives Tolkien's Middle-earth Tolkien's writing truth understanding Valar voice warrior wisdom wise wizard words