The Christian World of The Hobbit
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uncovers the Christian worldview in The Hobbit
I remember the first time I entered the world of Middle-earth. I was twelve or thirteen and noticed an interesting little yellow book on my motherâÂÂs shelf. IâÂÂm not entirely sure if she ever read it or not â as that kind of book was not what I remember her reading. But I asked if I could read it and eagerly dove in. At that age I donâÂÂt believe I was even aware there was a sequel to the book. But from the first few moments I was hooked.
Fantasy literature isnâÂÂt everyoneâÂÂs cup of tea, and all books in the genre of fantasy are not created equal. Few rise to the level of art achieved by J.R.R. Tolkien. His books, "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings", are among the most widely read in the English language. And like countless readers of Tolkien before me, I found the world he crafted to be enchanting and alluring.
TolkienâÂÂs world, the land of Middle-earth, is a place readers long to return to. Yet spending time in Middle-earth is not an exercise in futility or a way to check out of the here and now. In an ironic fashion, TolkienâÂÂs world inspires noble efforts in the real world, and calls us all to live better and nobler lives.
Tolkien scholar Devon Brown, elaborates on this quality of TolkienâÂÂs works:
â¦it might also be argued that the biggest reason his works have been so deeply loved, both in the previous century and the present one, is because they not only entertain readers â they also enrich their readersâ lives and make them more meaningful. (p. 11)
Brown explores the world Tolkien made in a new book "The Christian World of the Hobbit" (Abingdon Press, 2012). In this work, he demonstrates how TolkienâÂÂs Christian worldview bleeds through his written works and permeates the world he made. This aspect of TolkienâÂÂs work is puzzling to many. His books have almost no references to God or anything remotely similar to church or religion, and yet they are hailed by many as Christian novels advocating a Christian worldview. Sure there is a fight between right and wrong, and right wins â but is that enough to classify the book as Christian?
BrownâÂÂs analysis uncovers abundant clues from the author himself, both inside the covers of his books, as well as from his own reflections and letters about them, which put this question to rest. TolkienâÂÂs use of the term âÂÂluckâ and âÂÂgood fortuneâ is an ironic way to point the reader toward the conclusion that it wasnâÂÂt just luck or fortune, but Someone behind it all. GandalfâÂÂs statement to Bilbo on the final page of The Hobbit makes this clear: âÂÂYou donâÂÂt really suppose, do you, that all your adventure and escapes were managed by mere luck, just for your sole benefit?â Brown points out that Tolkien as much as acknowledges this in one of his letters:
In a letter, Tolkien offers this additional statement about the veiled power at work in both The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings: âÂÂThe story and its sequel are⦠about the achievements of specially graced and gifted individuals. I would say⦠âÂÂby ordained individuals, inspired and guided by an Emissary to ends beyond their individual education and enlargement.â This is clear in The Lord of the Rings; but it is present, if veiled, in The Hobbit from the beginning, and is alluded to in GandalfâÂÂs last words. (Letters 365)â (pp. 49-50)
Additional evidence is found in TolkienâÂÂs statements about his work being âÂÂfundamentally Christianâ in nature:
âÂÂThe Lord of the Rings is of course a fundamentally religious and Catholic work; unconsciously so at first, but consciously in the revisionâ (Letters 172). [p. 24]
âÂÂI am a Christianâ and then adds in parentheses âÂÂwhich can be deduced from my storiesâ (Letters 288). [p. 26]
TolkienâÂÂs work is Christian at its core, but not in a superficial manner. Tolkien despised allegory, and would frown on much of what passes as Christian fantasy today. Brown considers works of this type as merely âÂÂChristianized.â In contrast, TolkienâÂÂs thoroughly Christian worldview shapes the very fabric of his stories in a subtle yet profound way. And Tolkien did desire his readers to entertain that worldview for themselves after encountering it in his stories.
Brown also explores the morality inherent in TolkienâÂÂs view of Middle-earth. The struggle to better oneâÂÂs self plays a prominent role throughout the story. Bilbo Baggins is no ordinary hero, conquering by his skill with the sword and enduring thanks to his bravado and courage. Instead Bilbo takes on himself and wins. He faces the darker parts of his heart head on: he steps out of his cottage to begin the adventure, he resists the greed and selfishness that entice him to abandon his companions, and ultimately he finds a life spent in service of others is the only truly satisfying way to live.
This book is well-written, lucid and clear. And the artistic touches throughout make it a pleasure to interact with â even in the Kindle version. It abounds with quotations from TolkienâÂÂs work and letters, and includes pertinent quotes from other Tolkien scholars. The life of Tolkien, and his own Christian journey are recounted, as well as his famous literary society and its influence on his career. C.S. Lewis features prominently in the book â as he both knew Tolkien as a friend and appreciated his literary output (Brown is also a Lewis scholar). Throughout the book, BrownâÂÂs first-rate grasp of Tolkien scholarship is apparent and yet he manages to keep the book very accessible.
For those who have read "The Hobbit" more than once, BrownâÂÂs work will be a joy to read. Even if you are familiar with TolkienâÂÂs work only through the films by Peter Jackson, reading "The Christian World of the Hobbit" may spur you on to read the books that have endeared themselves to generations of readers. J.R.R. Tolkien was a Catholic Christian, but his view of morality and Divine providence as conveyed through his stories, is something evangelical Christians will appreciate. Brown allows us to enter TolkienâÂÂs universe with a well trained eye, ready to see the glimmers of the Christian worldview that permeates it all. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and highly recommend it.
Disclaimer: This book was provided by Abingdon Press. I was under no obligation to offer a favorable review.
March 20, 2013
A great book for anyone who likes Tolkien. An insightful, interesting, AND easy to read look at the Christian elements in The Hobbit
December 13, 2012
God Is There - Just Not Visible
Devin Brown argues that The Hobbit is not a Christian book, per se; but, rather, it weaves a Christian worldview into the plot, themes, and characters of the book. As the book progresses, the characters increasing learn the very lessons that are part of the believerâÂÂs life.
Unlike other authors, Brown does not draw direct parallels between the characters in the Hobbit and God and his foes revealed in Scripture. Neither does Brown see references to TolkienâÂÂs current world, being written at the end of the Second World War. For Brown, Sauron is not Satan, neither is he Hitler. Gandalf is not God, nor is he Churchill or Eisenhower. Brown does see God (an âÂÂunseen handâÂÂ, though never explicitly named) active through the life of Bilbo and all the other characters. Brown spends most of the first third of the book arguing that the âÂÂluckâ that the main characters experience is truly the hand of God working in their lives.
Once that point is made, the author begins to establish parallels, as noted above, between the world of the Hobbit and the world the Christian lives in. Whether it be Christian growth, the value of wealth, or the struggle choices or temptation, Brown argues that we are presented with a set of Christian values that will speak to both the believer and to the unbeliever.
Brown, as one would expect of a scholar, weaves in the thoughts of other writers as well. The most well-known of these is C S Lewis, a contemporary and friend of Tolkien. It would be interesting to have observed a conversations between these to great writers - the one a catholic, the other a protestant. But both deeply committed to their faith.
This overview of The Hobbit provides a very readable view of one scholars look at the book and its sequels. It is recommended for anyone who wants to take a second and deeper look at TolkienâÂÂs The Hobbit.
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This review is based on a free electronic copy of this book provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions expressed are mine alone.
November 29, 2012
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