Finding God in The Lord of the Rings

Considered the most popular book of the 20th century, The Lord of the Rings is more than a great story. It's a much-needed reminder that Christians are all on an epic quest. In examining the Christian themes in the trilogy, Bruner and Ware find that truth and fiction are not as far apart as they seem. When read in the light of Scripture, Tolkien's trilogy reveals a rich tapestry of redemption, values, and faith against all odds.

Recently named the number-one piece of twentieth century literature, The Lord of the Rings trilogy is more than a great story. It’s a much-needed reminder that, like J. R. R. Tolkien’s hobbits, we Christians are all on an epic quest. In examining the Christian themes in the trilogy, authors Kurt Bruner and Jim Ware find that truth and fiction are not as far apart as they seem. And that although Tolkien never intended for these books to present the gospel, when read in the light of Scripture they offer a rich tapestry of redemption, values, and faith against all odds from which we may learn much.

Bruner, v-p for Focus on the Family's Resource Group, and co-author Ware say that they have written this book "to help fans of The Lord of the Rings discover how the rich fabric of Tolkien's fantasy world enhances a Christian understanding of our real world." They assume that readers will already be familiar with the entire trilogy. Each chapter explores a theme found in Tolkien's series, illustrates it from the story and then shows how this theme can also be found in the Bible. Most of the themes illustrated here that our small individual stories are part of a larger story that gives them more meaning, that we are called to undertake challenging missions beyond our comfort zones or that evil powers are actively scheming in the world will already have been obvious to Christian readers with the intelligence needed to read through the entire trilogy. Readers already familiar with the trilogy will find a few gems of insight, especially the epilogue on Tolkien's literary theory. But it seems much more likely that this book will appeal to those who, having seen the movie, are deciding whether to read the books for the first time. (Nov.) Forecast: Timed to coincide with the release of New Line Cinema's movie The Lord of the Rings, this guide will find an audience, but probably a different one from that which the authors envisioned. Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

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Reviewed by Deborah Page (Keansburg, NJ), September 23, 2009

This book is a gift for someone who has all the Lord of the Rings movies. When I told him they are Christian based I was not believed .This is coming from a person that only calls on God when life is not going will for him . Loved the Book !

Reviewed by Ruth Adamson (Carmel, CA), February 11, 2002

I read this book because I do not see The Lord of the Rings as a Christian book/allegory. After reading this book I am still not convinced. While the trilogy has some godly principles in them, ie forgiveness, unselfishness, etc. I don't see how a "good wizard" is biblical since wizards are called an abomination in the bible.

Reviewed by Bradford James Zinnecker (Rowley, MA), December 19, 2001

Bruner and Ware write an easy to read book, which could also double as a short 3 week devotion as each chapter ends in a one sentence reflection. The authors use accounts of some strong statements and images from Tolkien's saga to combine them with scripture and theology (not too heavy for the average layperson) in order to make connections between the world of men and the world of elves. A good, quick, easy and enjoyable read. (Note: the epilogue might be a little different for those who are not as "artsy" as some.)

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