The Gospel According to Tolkien: Visions of the Kingdom in Middle-Earth

Ralph C. Wood

Westminster John Knox Press, 2003 - Literary Criticism - 169 pages

Readers have repeatedly calledThe Lord of the Ringsthe most important book of our age--absorbing all 1,500 of its pages with an almost fanatical interest and seeing the Peter Jackson movies in unprecedented numbers. Readers from ages 8 to 80 keep turning to Tolkien because here, in this magical kingdom, they are immersed in depth after depth of significance and meaning--perceiving the Hope that can be found amidst despair, the Charity that overcomes vengeance, and the Faith that springs from the strange power of weakness.The Gospel According to Tolkienexamines biblical and Christian themes that are found in the works of J. R. R. Tolkien. Follow Ralph Wood as he takes us through the theological depths of Tolkien's literary legacy.

What people are saying

An Unexpected Gem

User Review  - Seamatron - Christianbook.com

I found this book both informative and entertaining. It is obvious the author has read all the Tolkien books and has many thoughtful insights to impart. I would have given the book a rating of 5 on ...

Review: The Gospel According to Tolkien: Visions of the Kingdom in Middle-earth

User Review  - Cassandra - Christianbook.com

I loved this book! I already knew that Tolkien had included Christian elements in his writings, but I there were some mentioned in this book that I had not even thought of before. It was definitely worth reading.

Contents

• Introduction: 1
• The Great Symphony of the Creation: 11
• The Calamity of Evil The Marring of the Divine Harmony: 48
• The CounterAction to Evil Tolkiens Vision of the Moral Life: 75
• The Lasting Corrective Tolkiens Vision of the Redeemed Life: 117
• Consummation When Middleearth Shall Be Unmarred: 156
• Bibliography: 166
• Acknowledgments: 168

About the author

Ralph C. Wood is University Professor of Theology and Literature and teaches in the departments of Religion and English as well as the Truett Theological Seminary at Baylor University in Waco, TX.

Bibliographic information

• Title: The Gospel According to Tolkien: Visions of the Kingdom in Middle-Earth; The Gospel According To... Series
• Author: Ralph C. Wood
• Publisher: Westminster John Knox Press, 2003
• ISBN: 0664234666, 9780664234669
• Length: 169 pages
• Subjects: Literary Criticism / European / English, Irish, Scottish, Welsh; Religion / Christianity / General