Finding the Lord of Lords in the Lord of the Rings

 A term-paper I wrote for my college English class:

By: "Conuselo"

                 Theodore Baehr writes, “The shortest distance between truth and a human being is a story,” [1] and J.R.R. Tolkien understood this principle. The popularity of his books and the success of the recent movie trilogy suggest that many people have connected with his story of the destruction of the Ring of Power. I wonder, however, how many realize the underlying biblical truths in the ever-popular Lord of the Rings. R. Albert Mohler, President of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, writes in his web log, “The Secondary World of Middle-Earth is the setting for Tolkien's epic of the Ring--a story that carries far more moral and theological weight than most moviegoers will ever understand. This is an epic story of heroism and deep evil, of fellowship and betrayal, of love and honor and war. The Lord of the Rings is, most essentially, a Christian story.”[2]

                  Tolkien creates a mythical story filled with adventure, fierce battles, loyal fellowship, and daring escapes; and in doing so holds his audience captive to the implementation of biblical and moral realities. Every story has a worldview, whether it is atheistic, postmodern, or Christian, and its readers or viewers are subject to receiving a distinct message from its plot and characters. It is within this story of a quest to destroy the One Ring that we see the power of an unseen God who works through the unlikeliest of people. We see mercy shown to the undeserving, friendships that endure to the end, a fellowship that relies on each other through thick and thin, and good that is triumphant over evil. The morals and values of the Bible are clearly shown by the characters as they demonstrate self-sacrifice, courage, and mercy.

                 A study of the Lord of the Rings trilogy and of Tolkien’s own thoughts about his works demonstrates the biblical truths easily gleaned from this epic adventure. The characters of Middle Earth show qualities parallel to biblical characters like David, Jonathan, the disciples, and Jesus Christ. Within the chapters of this story we see how God can use even the most dreadful intentions of evil to further His providential purposes for good. Tolkien himself believed that fantasy, what he sometimes called the “second world,” helps us to understand the “primary world,” that is reality.

Good and Evil

                 The first part of Genesis teaches that God created the world and it was good, but sin entered His perfect world through a fallen angel and the fall of mankind in the Garden of Eden. In the Silmarillion, one of Tolkien’s other writings, we read that Middle Earth also has a God-like creator, who is known as Ilúvatar – the One Father and Creator of everything. Nothing exists in Middle Earth that was not created by him. The angels in Tolkien’s story are called the valar. Ilúvatar created them with no physical body existence or mortal limitations. One of the valar, named Melkor, is the Satan-figure, and he despises everything that is not under his control. He rejects Ilúvatar and his goodness, forges a crown of iron, and claims that he is the “King of the World.” Sauron is a member of a lower level of the valar and is corrupted by Melkor. He then goes on to forge nineteen rings for the races of elves, dwarfs, and men, and the One Ring that he uses to control Middle Earth. The Ring of Power is a symbol of greed, malice, and pride, and the power that it has over its wearers is like that of temptation.

                 When Sméagol possesses the Ring, the power of evil possesses him. Isildur is given the chance to destroy the Ring in Mount Doom, but is overcome by the temptation to keep it for himself, and his choice eventually results in his death. Even Frodo, when faced with the same opportunity to destroy the Ring, is taken by its power. Sin is never freeing, no matter how Satan tries to deceive us into thinking that it is liberating, it always enslaves us to its own evil will. Ralph Wood, in his article for Christianity Today writes, “Evil, Tolkien reveals, is never freeing, but always enslaving. To sin is not to set the will at liberty but to put it into captivity.”[3] When Satan was tempting Eve in the Garden of Eden, he did not promise her that she and her descendants would be cursed forever, although that was the result of her actions. Instead, the devil’s promise was that she would gain knowledge and that she would be like God. Adam and Eve’s decision to give into Satan’s temptation directly resulted in the fall of all mankind, and every generation following theirs has been born a cursed people.

                 Tolkien not only shows that temptation, when given into, is deadly, but he also shows that temptation can be resisted. Gandalf, Aragorn, and Galadriel are all tempted and given the chance to take the Ring from Frodo, but in each case there is a refusal to give into that temptation for fear of falling under its power. We have the assurance as Christians that we will never be tempted more than we can bear, as long as we rely on God for strength to resist Satan’s schemes. “Submit yourselves therefore to God, resist the devil and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7) Being tempted is not a sin, for even our Savior was tempted by Satan himself, but when we give into that temptation we are falling into sin that, much like the Ring of Power, holds us captive to our own sinful human desires.

Providence

                 Throughout the Fellowship’s quest to Mount Doom, there are many references to a “higher power,” who is involved in every step of their journey. God is seen at work, directing events and using people, often without them even realizing it. Frodo tells Gandalf how he wished that he had never been given the Ring, to which Gandalf replies: “Behind that there was something else at work, beyond any design of the Ring-maker [the evil Sauron]. I can put it no plainer than by saying that Bilbo was meant to find the Ring, and not by its maker. In which case you also were meant to have it. And that may be an encouraging thought.” [4] So encouraging it is to grasp the fact that there is someone in control of all that happens, to understand that in all of life’s happenings there is a Higher Power at work in this world. Things do not just happen at random or by accident, they are either set forth or at least allowed by our loving Father. This should bring as much comfort to us as we weather life’s storms as it did to Frodo on his quest to Mount Doom, for in both cases God is in control.

                 The providence of the Unseen is also exhibited within the story of Gollum. Both Bilbo and Frodo’s decisions to spare the gangly creature’s life results in the ability for good to finally win over evil. At the edge of Mount Doom, Frodo’s will is weakened against the power of the Ring and he doesn’t have the strength to throw it into the fires to destroy it. Richard Purtill writes,  “[Frodo] does not persevere to the end: at the last moment his will fails, and he is saved only by a seeming accident from undoing all the good of his mission.”[5] Gollum plays an important part in saving Middle Earth, whether he meant to or not. This draws parallel to the story of Joseph in Genesis chapters 37-45, when God took the plotting of evil brothers to get rid of their brother and saved a whole nation from starvation, including the same brothers who wanted Joseph dead. A familiar verse is comforting in difficult situations and ever true, “God works all things together for the good of those who love him and are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

The Unlikely

                 A small shepherd boy, a fierce murderer, a few scraggly fishermen, hated tax collectors, a prostitute -- how could God us them? The world would look on these and say, “There is no way that God would use these people!” God chooses, however, to work through the least likely, something that He has proven throughout the Old and New Testaments. Tolkien brings this element of scripture to life in the nature of the hobbits. The Shire was the place that many hobbits called home, and it was rarely visited by any of the “Big Folk” simply because, to the rest of Middle Earth, the hobbits seemed of little importance. Yet in the end, it is only a hobbit who can save Middle Earth from certain doom. Colin Gunton, a professor of Christian Doctrine at King’s College in London writes, “Their [the hobbits] smallness and weakness becomes their strength, because the rulers of this age overlook them…we are reminded of biblical texts about the way the power of God works not through the great forces of history, but through the cross.”[6] To our Heavenly Father, the only ability needed is availability.

                 When Jesus was choosing his disciples, his closest and dearest companions, he decided upon a few fishermen and tax collectors. No one ever would have thought a few men of no special importance to society would impact the world is such an extraordinary way. No one could have dreamed that a small band of average, less than royal folks would play a vital part of Christ’s ministry here on earth. Some probably saw this choice as foolishness, but our eyes do not see as God sees. Where the eyes of the world look at the outside, God looks at the heart. Appearances can be deceptive, as Gandalf writes in a letter to Frodo, “All that is gold does not glitter, not all those who wander are lost.”[7] Aragorn’s kingly qualities were hidden behind a rugged demeanor and humble character. Frodo was at first skeptical of this ranger who sat in the corner of the inn with a dark cloak hiding his face, but over time he came to understand the truth in Gandalf’s words. Little did he or the other hobbits realize that this ranger, known to the locals as Strider, was heir to the throne of Gondor. He was a king incognito, and had Frodo decided to not trust him on the basis of his appearance, their mission would have most likely ended in failure.

Loyal Friendship

                 One of the most beautiful pictures that Tolkien paints throughout the pages of the Lord of the Rings is that of friendship. Samwise Gamgee is Frodo’s gardener, a servant who would do anything for his master, yet their friendship goes deeper than a master-servant relationship. Sam nearly drowns in order to accompany Frodo on his quest to Mount Doom. He refuses to leave his beloved friend’s side and he is faithful to the end. Richard Purtill writes, “As they go on into the land of the Dark Lord, Sam increasingly has to support and help Frodo, until it is almost he who is the leader; Frodo is the Ring-bearer, but Sam “carries” Frodo, psychologically, emotionally, and toward the end, literally.”[8] When Frodo no longer has the strength to climb the side of Mount Doom, Sam puts Frodo on his back and slowly carries him up the mountain. Knowing that the task of destroying the Ring was appointed to Frodo alone, but wanting to ease his master’s burden he replies, “Come, Mr. Frodo! I can't carry it for you, but I can carry you and it as well.”[9]

                 Frodo and Sam’s friendship can be compared to the friendship of David and Jonathan in I Samuel 18-20. King Saul, Jonathan’s father, is afraid that David might take over his throne and plots to kill David. When Jonathan learns of this, however, he goes to David and tells him. Then he devises a signal to save his friend’s life, and David has to leave in order to escape King Saul’s death plot. Both friends are deeply grieved at David’s forced departure, but they are both willing to do anything to save each other’s lives. Jonathan accepted the fact that God had chosen David to be king of Israel and, even though the position legally belonged to him, he placed the life of his friend over his own life. While the actual events of David and Jonathan’s friendship differ from that of Sam and Frodo, the same level of friendship exists in both examples.

                 One can only imagine what would have happened if Frodo did not have Sam with him to help him along on the quest. Perhaps he would not have had the strength to go on, and it is very possible that the Fellowship would have failed if it had not been for Sam. While the two are walking, Sam asks Frodo if he thinks they’ll ever be put into stories for the future generations, and they both imagine what would be told about the other. Sam pretends to be a father telling the story to his children, telling them about how Frodo was the most famous of all the hobbits, but Frodo interrupts him telling him that he left out one of the most important characters, Samwise the Brave, “ ‘Frodo wouldn't have got far without Sam, would he, dad?’ ‘Now, Mr. Frodo,’ said Sam, ‘you shouldn't make fun. I was serious.’ ‘So was I,’ said Frodo.”[10] Loyal companions are one of the best gifts that God gives us, and we should cherish our faithful friends.

The Fellowship

                  Jeff Smith, director of Salt and Light Ministries and a talented scriptwriter compares the fellowship in Tolkien’s books to the body of Christ. “You are the body of Christ, a circle of believers, a fellowship of faith, a righteous ring, and each one of you is a part of it. One Lord to rule them all, one Lord to find them, one Lord to save them all, and in the Spirit bind them.”[11] There are several parallels we can draw between Christ’s church and the fellowship of nine companions forged at the Council of Elrond.

                 First of all, the fellowship was diverse, and there was a representative from each race of Middle Earth within the nine. The comparisons to one another led them to believe that they were as different as night and day, yet they had to band together in order to complete their quest. Each member had his own unique quality, whether it was strength, nobility, wisdom, insight, or loyalty, and without each one, the fellowship would have failed. It is the same in the church, as every Christian has their own unique gifts and abilities to use for the Lord. Though one responsibility may seem more important than another, a body can only function if all its parts are working together properly. It may seem that being good in battle is more important than being a loyal servant, but throughout the pages of the Lord of the Rings we see that both are equally necessary for the mission to be accomplished. It may also seem that a preacher is much more important than a janitor, but his sermons would not be as effective if members of the congregation are distracted by a dirty sanctuary. We are the body of Christ and it needs all of its parts working in unison to function properly.

Mercy

                 Mercy to the undeserving is a key theme in Middle Earth, and throughout the pages of the story we discover its place of importance in the way that God works. Surely no one would have questioned Bilbo if he had killed Gollum, after all, Gollum probably wanted to murder Bilbo in order to get the ring back. Even Frodo thinks at first that Bilbo should have killed the gangly creature when he had the chance, but Gandalf is wise enough to understand the effects of mercy and compassion. Maybe Gollum did deserve to die, but life and death are not up to us to decide.    

Deserves [death]! I daresay he does. Many that live deserve death. And some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them? Then do not be too eager to deal out death in judgment. For even the very wise cannot see all ends. I have not much hope that Gollum can be cured before he dies, but there is a chance of it. And he is bound up with the fate of the Ring. My heart tells me that he has some part to play yet, for good or ill, before the end; and when that comes, the pity of Bilbo may rule the fate of many – yours not least.[12]

Gandalf was right when he said that the pity shown to Gollum would have a great effect on the lives of many. As discussed before, Frodo would not have been able to complete the quest to destroy the Ring had it not been for Gollum. In The Return of the King we read that the mercy that Gollum received did have a great effect on him. He sees Frodo and Sam asleep and notices the peace on their faces, and something in this picture of loving companionship touches the remnant of humanity in Gollum’s soul. At this point, Sméagol and Gollum are in an internal debate of whether or not to kill the hobbits. Gollum reaches his hand out hesitantly to stroke Frodo’s knee and says, “Nice master,” and we see that he is still recognizably human and capable of love. While full recovery never comes to Gollum, we receive an inescapable picture of mercy and compassion to the completely undeserving.

                 Webster’s dictionary defines mercy as “compassion shown to an offender,” and another picture of mercy in the Lord of the Rings is that of Saruman after the War of the Ring. Saruman and other villains invaded the Shire and when the hobbits returned home they were devastated to see that their home was destroyed, but they fought against Saruman and the others and came out of battle victorious. Frodo has the chance to kill the evil Saruman, but chooses to spare his life saying,

‘He is fallen and his cure is beyond us; but I still would spare him, in the hope that he may find it.’ Saruman rose to his feet, and stared at Frodo. There was a strange look in his eyes of mingled wonder and respect and hatred. 'You have grown, Halfling,' he said. 'Yes, you have grown very much. You are wise, and cruel. You have robbed my revenge of sweetness’[13]

Saruman’s response to Frodo’s mercy well illustrates Paul’s teaching in Romans 12, “Beloved, never avenge yourselves…if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him drink; for by doing so you will heap burning coals upon his head.” (Romans 12:19-20)

                 Mercy is at the center of the gospel, for none of us deserve the mercy that God has shown us. While we were still enemies of God, he sent his only beloved Son to die for us. This truth does not make great sense to our human minds. Why would the Lord of all creation choose to redeem us and adopt us as his own children when we are the very ones who put Jesus Christ on the cross? This question cannot be answered without mention of his love and mercy toward us, the undeserving.

Conclusion

                 It would be unfair not to mention the fact that there are Christians who completely disagree with the biblical parallels that were drawn in this paper. According to an online poll on the Christian History website, there are many people who, while they enjoy reading Tolkien’s works, cannot believe that they are “Christian stories.” Others argue that Christians should never set out to discover supposed spirituality in the Lord of the Rings, insisting that there be a very distinct line between theology and mythology that is never crossed. Still others urge parents and teachers to realize that reality and truth are never found in fantasy.

                 In response to those who disagree with finding biblical truths in the Lord of the Rings and in closing, a quote from Mohler’s weblog reads, “Those who consider themselves too sophisticated for these fairy tales reveal a tragic lack of moral imagination--and Christian imagination.”[14] The biblical themes in Tolkien’s works are unmistakably clear, and Christians now have a great opportunity to talk to their friends who enjoy the books and the movies about the kingdom of God. Perhaps one of the reasons why Tolkien wrote the Lord of the Rings as a story with deep Christian values without being blatantly religious, is so that people would grasp biblical realities, perhaps without realizing that there is a seed of the gospel being planted in their hearts. If nothing else, his works are of great value to Christians as we join Frodo and the others on the journey to Mount Doom and, along the way, glean spiritual and moral qualities that are applicable to our own lives.