csdr0 Gollum could also be representive of unrepentant sin. There are many Christ like figures in LOTRs..Gandalf is one as is Aragorn and even Sam sometimes. They all have characteristics that reflect back to and remind me of Jesus in certain ways. I enjoy looking for it in these stories. I think my favorite scene in the movies is in Return of the King after Frodo escaped from Shelob and passed out. He enters into a vision of Galadriel and she literally helps him up and Frodo has renewed strength to carry on. I love to recognize the symbolism! These movies are so full of Catholic allegory and just because no one particular character isn't exactly like Jesus doesnt mean it is not enjoyable to look for him in this complex epic. I could go on but it would turn into a looong essay haha.
@@csdr0 He was teasing at most, and he only struck Gollum when he defended Frodo from his atracks, but he was right not to trust Gollum because he knew he was forever corrupted.
@@csdr0 what about Gandalf, Frodo, and Aragorn? They represent the threefold office of Christ. Gandalf as the Prophet. Frodo as the Priest. Aragorn as the King.
Saruman's lust for power twisted him. He is like Lucifer, once the most wonderful angel, in his case a wizard, but he wanted, and that brought his downfall. Thank you Fr. Barron for this video.
One of the things that I like about LOTR is that each person has a part to play. Even Merry & Pippin were as Gandalf said, "Small stones that would cause an avalanche." "We are many parts, we are all one Body."
I'm 9 years late but if I can add to this Both a Numenorean steward of Gondor and a King of Rohan give both respect and kindness to each hobbit respectively. And the moral of the subplots is that these moral traits are well rewarded. One saves the Prince of gondor from murder and the other helps to kill the witch King of angmar. Both play massively disproportionate parts due to kingly qualities from kingly men
Great explanation there again from Father Barron...Tolkein was a devout Roman Catholic and you can see this all over the masterpiece which is Lord of the Rings
Who was it said 'Call no man on earth Father, for you have one Father in heaven'? I forget, perhaps I should ask a Catholic eh, but not when they are bowing down to their graven images....lol, people are so stupid.
Father, This is by far my favorite movie ever made. I have not read the book but hope to do so some day. Thank you for clarifying this great story for me and making some sense out of it, which I just could see. Wow, your knowledge is impressive.
In reference to the description of the nature of evil displayed in a character such as Sauron, evil also involves a fragmentation of truth and life. Sauron, as seen in the movies and in the books, is a fragmented being with his eyes and mouth being separate from his body, which has no face and no flesh, practically vapor in armor. Thank you Fr. Barron for all your commentaries; keep me in your prayers.
I wonder how many people actually KNOW that this is a Catholic Film. I'm sure that my ex son-in-law who is Mormon, would be appalled to learn this. He loves this movie.
Symbol Guy I was raised Mormon... there’s a lot of anti-catholic doctrine in the Mormon church, and a general “holier than thou” attitude towards catholics
I am a Mormon...I love this channel and the fact that Tolkien was deeply religious and that it manifested in his work. I was very disappointed that the Tolkien movie did not mention it. I see no issue with Catholics and was raised with a respect for the Catholic church. I'm sure not every Mormon is the same, but I find respect and reverence for other religions as fundamental to my beliefs
@lazerbeam134 I don't deny for a moment that there are features of Norse mythology, etc. in the Lord of the Rings. But if you deny that it's deeply Catholic in inspiration, you're arguing, not with me, but with Tolkien himself!
Now I am enticed to read the trilogy. It's just I'm wary if I can endure until the end. Obviously the message remains impactful 14 years from the time this was shared.
Well, square this with Tolkien's explicit acknowledgement in a letter that the Lord of the Rings is Catholic in inspiration. I have no quarrel saying that one might "apply" the story to Catholicism.
I think this is the quotation you are referring to: "The Lord of the Rings is of course a fundamentally religious and Catholic work" -Tolkien (in a letter to Robert Murray)
Just watched the extended versions while I’m quarantining for Covid. These movies were so good and I can’t get over the fact that western society is no longer capable of creating originals stories like this anymore.
I wish I could think as clearly as Dr Barron. Since I am not in his league intellectually, I am very happy to listen to his crystal-clear talks. He helps me A LOT and I hope he will read this comment. Maybe, one day, he will sit down with the terrifying Professor Dawkins and shred the man.
What then do you make of Tolkien's own admission that The Lord of the Rings is Catholic in inspiration? What do you make of the distinctively Catholic understandings of sin, grace, redemption, eucharist, and incarnation that are all through the text?
Coming from outside religion, I really like your descriptions rather than the 'fire and brimstone' approach that Chrisitanity often gets branded with. I find that your description of sin and overcoming it reminds me of Daoism: knowing the way, giving oneself up to the Way, or to God, rather than trying to make your own rules or forge your own way. I get a sense that it's about humility, trusting that you will end up doing the right thing if you trust in your conscience, the Way, or God.
I'm quite new to social media and I'm absolutely loving this channel! I'm a big Tolkien fan. I love the LOTR movies, audio plays and books a lot! Now, I'm wondering if there are any other great Catholic stories. I recently stumbled upon The Will of the Woods, finally a story that my daughter could listen too as well but that was more like a fantastic fairy tale. Still, it had great moral value and was very funny and enjoyable for adults as well. It's an audio story from Audio Epics, but they don't have many other stories as far as I can see on their website... I don't even really know if the creator is a Catholic but it sure feels like it... I also really enjoyed the themes of friendship and having courage in Harry Potter! Do you know any other inspiring, touching fantasy stories that you recommend, preferably from Catholic authors or at least authors who spread Catholic morals? They must be okay for children to listen to as well, like The Will of the Woods or a lot of Disney animation stories... because Harry Potter does get very dark in the later volumes...
You bet. It has a beautiful collage of different cultures in it from many different ages on Earth. His major passion at Exeter was studying languages. To know these language, he had to learn the cultures. He also stated that the books were created for these languages (which he combined to form his own), rather than the reverse. Most significantly, it has a very Christian-defined 'Good' and 'Evil' in many ways.
Hi Fr. Barron. Your gift of clariy is a great gift from God. Some catholic priests preach rock & roll and most movies containing blasphemous script and occult element not to be watch coz' it's a place of occasion of sin and the viewer will support the makers of the demonic (as some priests say) music & movies. I see it as scrupulous which could be a sin in itself (holy priests like you watch it). I'd like to confirm though how is it scrupulous or not and what is the truth? Gbu.
Many good points, especially about picking one to destroy the evil among us. In my series of Bible studies (based on the characters and character groups) I begin with Frodo. The short version is this, "Frodo was given one task, take the Ring of Power, into enemy territory, up a mountain, and have the ring unmade. Likewise Jesus was given one task, take our sin, into enemy territory, carry them up a hill, and have them unmade as He died for us on the cross. I'm not saying Frodo is Jesus, but there is that lesson about Jesus' mission in the Lord of the Rings.
This has been my favorite book since I was 13 and now am 64. Thank you for summing up themes I have always known were there in a succinct way. There could not be a greater contrast than the fact that as these movies came out, so did Harry Potter, a series about demonism where children were witches! A clear choice of which message to give your kids, and yourself.
I suggest you actually read the Harry Potter books with an open mind. They actually contain a number of Christian themes, such as the power of love, forgiveness, the nihilistic futility of evil, and self-sacrifice. They are stealth Christian novels.
@GILR8 There is a resemblance there for a reason, as I had said before. His great area of expertise was mythology. The fantastical creatures he populated Arda and the rest of his Cosmos with, were drawn from myths of Anglo-Saxon, Norse, and Celtic derivation, with influence from Greco-Roman. There are characters, for example, that resemble nymphs and hamadryads, and dryads. The fact is, the Silmarillion doesn't call Valar angels or gods, but they seem closer to gods to me, in terms of mythos.
@lazerbeam134 Well, you can leave the "vast propaganda machine" out of it. I'm not sure I even know what that means. I do know that J.R.R. Tolkien himself said in one of his letters that the Lord of the Rings was "Catholic in inspiration." I was simply trying to concretize that claim with examples. I was reading through the lens proposed by the author himself!
But what about Tolkien's own letter, in which he said that LOTR began as implicitly Catholic and became explicitly so as it progressed? That said, I agree wtih you that the "meaning" of a text is not restricted to "what the author intended." Sure, LOTR is open to a variety of readings and interpretations.
It seems to me that having a few elements that reflect Catholicism doesn't make it a Catholic book, but Fr. Barron describes so many elements that reflect Catholic principles (in parts one and two) that I think it is a strong case that this is a Catholic story, even before we learn that the author said it was. It couldn't completely embody Catholicism, because then it would be a catechism, not a novel
Yeah wasn't aware of this growing up as a child/teenager, but can definitely see how Catholicism is in the movie particularly with the One Ring. We see how this object that gives someone power to be gradually corrupt by it to where they become unrecognizable of what they once were. For example, we see Boromir (a man of high regard & valor) try to take the ring from Frodo by force because he believed it was essential to save his people. However, he allowed the Ring to make him do something he truly regretted. Consequently, Boromir then sought forgiveness/redemption by sacrificing himself in order save Merry & Pippin as well as to ensure his soul was cleaner and prepared when his time came.
How can someone dispute the Catholic narrative metaphors and symbolism in LOTR? This a direct quote from ProfessorTolkien: "The Lord of the Rings is of course a fundamentally religious and Catholic work; unconsciously so at first, but consciously in the revision. That is why I have not put in, or have cut out, practically all references to anything like 'religion', to cults or practices, in the imaginary world. For the religious element is absorbed into the story and the symbolism"
Someone made his way to this video 14 years apart from the day it enters the internet. It does not shows up in my recommendation. I just deliberately search for it.
Tolkien himself said that the Lady Galadriel was meant to evoke Our Lady Mary. Sam's speech: "The Lady of Lórien! Galadriel!" cried Sam. "You should see her, indeed you should, sir. I am only a hobbit, and gardening's my job at home, sir, if you understand me, and I'm not much good at poetry - not at making it: a bit of comic rhyme, perhaps, now and again, you know, but not real poetry - so I can't tell you what I mean. It ought to be sung. You'd have to get Strider, Aragorn that is, or old Mr Bilbo, for that. But I wish I could make a song about her. Beautiful she is, sir! Lovely! Sometimes like a great tree in flower, sometimes like a white daffadowndilly, small and slender like. Hard as di'monds, soft as moonlight. Warm as sunlight, cold as frost in the stars. Proud and far-off as a snow-mountain, and as merry as any lass I ever saw with daisies in her hair in springtime. But that's a lot o' nonsense, and all wide of my mark."
To Lazerbeam 134: During The Rough-Drafts, What You suggest about The Valar resembling Pagan Dieties may be accurate. However when J.R.R. Tolkien Refined His Final Drafts,"Divine" Power Does Not suggest the valar were inherently divine by themselves. One of the Nine Choirs of Angels Are called "Powers", Dominions, Principalities, etc. The Governance of The Universe, In Particular of Celestial Bodies & Luminaries were always given to lower beings. I have read about other Pagan Dieties.
Catholicism means universal. Anyone writing about anything that is really good in other books will borrow off what the Catholic church teaches. Even if the author knew nothing about Catholicism, he participates in sharing some of the universal church's beliefs. And Tolkien did make "The Lord of the Rings" a Catholic novel.
@GILR8 My point regarding Gandalf as a "demigod" is in that he is in fact, a creature both divine and human. The point is that the story involves a lot of powerful characters, not merely weak beings that conquer great evil through their own humble humility, as the poster I was arguing against had suggested. And, Aragorn was no reluctant king in the end. He may have begun that way, but the character evolved to claim what was his by right of blood, not the will of the people.
Saruman is the most interesting. He was offered the chance to repent numerous times after his defeat at Isengard. Rejected them all. Ultimately upon his death he was rejected by the west(god) as the ultimate judge of him.
@GILR8 lol. I have read the Silmarillion, LOTR and the Hobbit several times. The Valar were basically equivalent of PAGAN deities if you had ever read anything about such things. One Vala was designated as the bearer of the moon, another of the sun (much like Artemis and Apollo). Valar is meant to indicated "Power", such as divine power. Eru Iluvatar in the "pantheon" would occupy the space of a creator god that predates all other powers in the cosmos, such as gods etc.
@GILR8 1: The OT is not considered history, generally speaking. 2: Rome appointed dictators as a temporary office in time of crisis, and the selection was not by the people, but the senate. Star Wars was a lot different than the history behind the Roman Imperial period. Octavian Caesar had, through political manipulation, and military force, coerced the Roman senate into conferring upon him powers unprecedented for a consul. There were, in Rome's early days, Kings, and they ruled by force.
Tolkien actually managed to reconvert C.S. Lewis to Christianity, since he used to be an atheist. To Tolkien’s dismay, however, Lewis became Anglican. Another thing they disagreed with was Lewis’ use of allegory in the Narnia books.
Because LOTR is not an allegory. What the Father is doing is not decoding allegory but detecting images taken from the Christian faith that have infused the book through Tolkien's thinking. Of course, he is wrong in his initial remarks, that the Inklings wanted to propagate Christianity. They wanted to write the stories they would like to read. Tolkien didn't write LOTR to propagate anything but certainly his faith influenced the contents.
I want to make clear that I am NOT an anti-Harry Potter guy. I have no opinion on Harry Potter. As I said several times (people really should learn to read before they answer) I have nothing against H.P. since I have not read it I simply reported some views of OTHER people I read in papers or seen in some documentaries. I will probably not read HP because I am not so fond of that kind of novels, but maybe one day I might give it a shot.
@wordonfirevideo Interesting. I have read that he had other things to say on the subject. For one, it was not in anyway intended as allegory. Again, being inspired by his religion is one thing. He might have proposed that lens, but he also explicityl left it open to interpretation, unlike CS Lewis and his anvil dropping Chronicles of Narnia. I can give you that he was influenced by his beliefs, but there is something more in it. I know people who found there way to norse paganism in the fandom.
Some great content, thank you. I love hearing people who love the Lord of the rings as much as I do. Couple of points Firstly, in my opinion, the second biggest hero is Boromir. It is slanderous to call him unjust. Like all of us, he falls; he fails. But then what does he do? He repentance. And he gives his life to try and save “the little ones”. According to the Bible, Boromir reached the pinnacle “greater love has no man, and the man lay down his life for his friends”. My second point is that Frodo did not, and could not Destroy the ring. Frodo was heroic - but the power of the ring was in the end stronger. In the end, Frodo was dependent on Providence (and Gollum) to get the job done
Also the look of Mordoar also looks like Dr Seuss the Lorax meaning the greed and disrespectful nature of the industrial revolution blinded humanity to the destruction of Eden
hola. soy yepzary díaz de Venezuela. me encantan todos los episodios de su programa pero, lamentablemente no los puedo apreciar por internet cuando quiero ya que, están en ingles. podrían hacer algo al respecto? lo pregunto porque si lo he de descargar (comprar) no lo entendería igual. no soy muy tecnológica y no se si haya algún convertidor?.... bendiciones.
@benabaxter 1: Catholicism and Christianity lacks mythos? 2: You have both, actually. Gandalf is a hero, and he is a demigod that shoots lightning. Legolas is a hero, and he is an immortal elf that can shoot arrows from his bow like it's a Tommy gun. Aragorn is all about will to power. Through possessing noble lineage, noble bearing, strength of arms, and healing hands, he restores a fallen kingdom to its former glory. 3: Odin was hung upon for a tree, similar to the crucifixion of Christ.
To lazerbeam134: Aragorn was Absolutely NOT About "Power for Power's Sake" and/or "Will To Power". If Anything The Last Thing He Wanted To Be Was King. That Is Why He Voluntary Chose Exile In Rivendell. He feared Corruption Like His Fore-Father Isildur. "TO BE A KING MEANS TO SERVE, NOT TO BE SERVED". That Is Why/How People Choose Their Monarchs.
@benabaxter And likewise, the Lord of the Rings is not all about the glories of Christianity. It is about a tale much older than that in a sense. The hero's quest, which is the core of mythos. And Tolkien was a mythologist, first and foremost.
Hello sir I was told multiple times on TH-cam that Tolkien was sending letters which have said that Lord of the rings is not shown as Christian but rather Norse mythic origin. Right now I am lost and don't know what to believe anymore I was hoping you could explain further or see if the rumor I explained was true as I havent seen true evidence of the letters.
@@randomguygaming5555 you might be confusing something. His world takes inspiration from norse mythology-dwarves and elves are norse for example. But the themes in the book are fundamentally Christian, and Tolkien has said that himself. I believe he said that it is a "fundamentally catholic work"
You can tell when a Catholic or someone raised Catholic discovers that Bilbo, Frodo weren’t there real names…we take delight…however Protestants take the work so literally to the point of the color of their skin…it’s bonkers…like they ,missed the entire point of Tolkien’s work.
Catholics miss the entire point of the entirety of the gospel of the kingdom of God, they're so deep in the lies, I feel sorry for them. Who was it said 'call no man Father'? Catholics say 'Fuck that Jesus'.
@Strefanasha I am not simply arguing about divine right. I am also talking about the might makes right philosophy of "warrior kings" as well. Divine right is just one way to approach monarchy, but I am saying that I am doubtful that monarchy ever was something the people wanted. Using religion or force, has been the point of monarchy. Basically, another poster claimed that people have historically "chose" their monarchs. This is simply untrue.
Father, I have an idea for a video about a classic movie. As this year is the 75th anniversary of "The Wizard of Oz", could you maybe do a video on "The Wizard of Oz"? During the past few years, I have felt that there is a lot of religious meaning in "The Wizard of Oz".
Also, I am not ignorant of history, either. I love history, actually. The fact is, I don't consider a society ruled by the strongest warrior any more fair or just than a society ruled by the "god king" archetype. Being king because you killed the last king is hardly ruling by the consent of the governed. That is ruling by force, based on the notion that might makes right. Basically, the will to power idea that was discussed previously.
@wordonfirevideo mm no. He stated quite explicitly that he wrote it to tell a story. The Hobbit was simply a story to tell his kids. The works of Tolien may draw from Christian thought, but it also drew from Norse, Celtic and general Pagan mythology. Tolkien was a master scholar, a linguistics expert, a mythologist of unprecedented skill, and overall more educated than the average bear.
@lazerbeam134 3, cont: Tyr was a god who willingly sacrificed his own shield hand to the jaws of the Fenris wolf, so that Freyr and Thor could bind the beast and hold off the force of hatred and chaos the wolf represents. 4: They converted at the tip of a Christian sword. So, what does that say about Christianity?
Okay but tbh the "pure one" has gotta be Sam, not Frodo. Although Frodo is good, he still gets affected by the ring, and the whole thing really hinges on Sam getting Frodo to Mt Doom.
jared sandoy I know, but in a sense the entire story depends on Sam as well, as Frodo never would've made it to Mt. Doom by himself. I just don't think that people really give Sam enough credit for his loyalty - Ring-affected-Frodo wasn't always exactly nice to be around, and Sam could easily have given up at any time, even when Frodo himself did - but he didn't.
in many ways Sam is the only sensible one in the group. he worries about coking pots, and rope, and rations. And he carries on after Frodo leaves.; tends the soil, plants a tree, raises a family, completes Frodo's' book, and tells others. He then goes on to become Mayor. He's a stand in for St Peter perhaps? or St John, the one who Stood with Christ in his worst hour?
Apparently Tolkien fought in the same battle that Hitler got one of his nuts shot off in. So there is a chance, however slight that JRR Tolkien shot off one of Hitler's balls.
That was far more on clericalist grounds than on fascist grounds, the republican side of the war openly wanted to destroy the catholic church and that alarmed many Catholics throughout the world. There were actually detachments of Irish socialist volunteers who fought under the nationalists on religious grounds.
+Carthago Delenda Est But don't you know that all those Jews with chips on their shoulder say he did? He also has a deformed micro penis, and is addicted to meth.
@@castorpollux24 he did not support fascism or the nazi's...in Europe at those times most people found themselves supporting ideas of socialist thought and most accepted moderate views of it as many still do today, and as a political movement socialism has its extremes, e.g. Nazi fascist dictatorship or Stalinist communist dictatorship...socialism was supported by, Bertrand Russell, George Orwell, Mark Twain, Albert Einstein, Picasso, that does not mean they supported fascism...
In Lord of the rings the "Wizards" such as Gandalf and Saruman are not humans but are lesser forms of the Valar (somewhat like lesser angels). The 'leechcraft' of Grima Wormtongue and the magic of the witch-king are clearly portrayed as evil. Anyway: I am not a Potter-basher, I am not really a fan of Potter but nor an hater either. My point is: The way Tolkien e Rowlings use magic is quite different.
Sauron has no physical body at the time of the LOTR events. He lost his actual body in the drowning of Numenor and after that can only take on physical form with the help of the ring.
To lazerbeam134: If You knew about Professor Tolkien's Works, then You would know that His Character of Gandalf/Mithrandir/Olorin was/is NOT a Demi-god. There was Only The One God (Lluvatar) Throughout His LOTR Mythos. Gandalf, like Saruman, Balrogs, Morgoth/Melkor, & Sauron a Maiar/Valar/Ainur - "Lesser" Spirit/Angel. Elves were NOT Immortal. They only live as long as the "Physical" Earth Exists. Mankind were Greater than the elves because they share in the afterlife of the future World.
And it's funny that you bring up Greek Philosophy while maintaining that the story of Jesus is a "mirage in the sand" since we have overwhelming historical documentary evidence for the life and work of Jesus while we have almost none for the great greeks like Alexander. Of course who was it that preserved Greek and Roman learning after the fall of the Roman Empire? Certainly wasn't dedicated bands of humanists or atheists. It was, of course, the Catholic Church.
I agreee with you that drawing comparisons with many of these movies is silly and unnecessary, but in this instance I think it works. You referenced the Simarillion earlier, the creation story there is so similar to that of Catholic Theology (the greatest angel/Valar turning on its master, etc.) Middle Earth was a world pre-Christ for sure, but denying any connection to Judeo Christiantheology and tradition is just silly.
@Strefanasha Did you see anything I else I posted on the subject of monarchy? Being an Emperor that claims descent from Venus and Mars isn't claiming divine right to rule? That Roman Emperors were deified upon death doesn't support the notion that "divine right" is an old idea? What about the Pharaohs of Egypt? They claimed that they were the living manifestations of Ra, Amon, Osiris, and Aten on Earth. Or the ancient Mesopotamian cultures, who had kings standing in for the sky god Enkil?
@GILR8 People do not choose monarchs. They have never chosen monarchs. "The DIVINE right of Kings" has been the justification of monarchy from the beginning of human civilization.People choose to depose monarchs, but if a new monarch takes his place, it is through exertion of force. The point is, the argument that LOTR is all about small heroes, then that isn't the case. The hobbits would have surely died countless time, had it not been for their superior companions.
you got it a bit wrong witth the dark lord sauron, there is substence to him and sauron is basically satan of lord of the rings hes always been evil never been the fallen angel, what sauron always wanted is greed to control everything and more, sauron also uses fear and stays in the backround he has a body but choses not to show up. dont forget his appearence in the first movie. tolkien says when he became the dark lord his form was so terrifying that no man or being could stand before him.
It is far fetched.... but some people think so. Besides I always found a little far fetched the idea that the misbehavior of their kids is to blame upon books or movies or songs...
Great video, Father! I have long thought about the whole corruption/perversion element of the evil characters. Creating is fundamentally a Godly act, and perversion the only means of creation for the enemy. Thus the angel-like elves become worn down, twisted, polluted and perverted into orcs, much like the fallen angels. Samwise has some beautiful passages about resistance in the last chapter of TTT and the first of book 6 in RotK. :D
I'm sure all this is true, but I never saw it this way. I was a "ringer" before it was popular. I always saw LOTR as a deeply Pagan work, and by Pagan I mean pre-Christian Europe. Celtic, ancient-Germanic, pagan Finland. This isn't even controversial. Tolkein was a scholar of ancient European language and myths. Are there Christian themes? Well Aragorn is certainly a Christ figure, and you can argue that so is Gandalf. I would prefer to say that these are Universal themes in a Jungian sense. Every culture has a mythology of a savior figure who dies and is reborn in order to "save the land." Christianity is only one of many.
Actually, I specify that the character most like Jesus is Sam.
Sam was too cruel to Gollum. There is no character in LOTR that is like Jesus at all. All have moral weaknesses.
csdr0 Gollum could also be representive of unrepentant sin. There are many Christ like figures in LOTRs..Gandalf is one as is Aragorn and even Sam sometimes. They all have characteristics that reflect back to and remind me of Jesus in certain ways. I enjoy looking for it in these stories. I think my favorite scene in the movies is in Return of the King after Frodo escaped from Shelob and passed out. He enters into a vision of Galadriel and she literally helps him up and Frodo has renewed strength to carry on. I love to recognize the symbolism! These movies are so full of Catholic allegory and just because no one particular character isn't exactly like Jesus doesnt mean it is not enjoyable to look for him in this complex epic. I could go on but it would turn into a looong essay haha.
@@csdr0 He was teasing at most, and he only struck Gollum when he defended Frodo from his atracks, but he was right not to trust Gollum because he knew he was forever corrupted.
@@csdr0 what about Gandalf, Frodo, and Aragorn? They represent the threefold office of Christ.
Gandalf as the Prophet.
Frodo as the Priest.
Aragorn as the King.
My favorite character
Saruman's lust for power twisted him. He is like Lucifer, once the most wonderful angel, in his case a wizard, but he wanted, and that brought his downfall.
Thank you Fr. Barron for this video.
God bless you. I'll keep you in prayer.
One of the things that I like about LOTR is that each person has a part to play. Even Merry & Pippin were as Gandalf said, "Small stones that would cause an avalanche."
"We are many parts, we are all one Body."
*Entering the Desert of Lent*
th-cam.com/video/C-GOu0nM5Xg/w-d-xo.html
I'm 9 years late but if I can add to this
Both a Numenorean steward of Gondor and a King of Rohan give both respect and kindness to each hobbit respectively.
And the moral of the subplots is that these moral traits are well rewarded.
One saves the Prince of gondor from murder and the other helps to kill the witch King of angmar. Both play massively disproportionate parts due to kingly qualities from kingly men
I just thought I'd say I love listening to you. ~ Atheist rethinking his position
Did you convert? I really love to hear your story.
Update?
we need the full story
Update?
Enjoy the journey if it is still ongoing.
(Read your comment August, 2021.)
Well, tell that to Tolkien! In a private letter he explicitly said that the Lord of the Rings was Catholic in inspiration.
I love LOTR and as a born again Christian I could TELL this has Christian themes throughout. Thanks!
I feel more genuine Christian themes in lotr, than even the chronicles of Narnia, even if Narnia is supposedly a direct allegory!
Great explanation there again from Father Barron...Tolkein was a devout Roman Catholic and you can see this all over the masterpiece which is Lord of the Rings
*Tolkien
*Entering the Desert of Lent*
th-cam.com/video/C-GOu0nM5Xg/w-d-xo.html
Who was it said 'Call no man on earth Father, for you have one Father in heaven'? I forget, perhaps I should ask a Catholic eh, but not when they are bowing down to their graven images....lol, people are so stupid.
But tell that to Tolkien himself, who said that the Lord of the Rings was Catholic in inspiration!
Father, This is by far my favorite movie ever made. I have not read the book but hope to do so some day. Thank you for clarifying this great story for me and making some sense out of it, which I just could see. Wow, your knowledge is impressive.
*Entering the Desert of Lent*
th-cam.com/video/C-GOu0nM5Xg/w-d-xo.html
In reference to the description of the nature of evil displayed in a character such as Sauron, evil also involves a fragmentation of truth and life. Sauron, as seen in the movies and in the books, is a fragmented being with his eyes and mouth being separate from his body, which has no face and no flesh, practically vapor in armor. Thank you Fr. Barron for all your commentaries; keep me in your prayers.
He has a good way to explain about The Lord of the Rings.
I wonder how many people actually KNOW that this is a Catholic Film. I'm sure that my ex son-in-law who is Mormon, would be appalled to learn this. He loves this movie.
Why would he be appalled? Is he anti-Catholic?
Symbol Guy I was raised Mormon... there’s a lot of anti-catholic doctrine in the Mormon church, and a general “holier than thou” attitude towards catholics
*Entering the Desert of Lent*
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Movies ok, but the books are *much* better
I am a Mormon...I love this channel and the fact that Tolkien was deeply religious and that it manifested in his work. I was very disappointed that the Tolkien movie did not mention it. I see no issue with Catholics and was raised with a respect for the Catholic church. I'm sure not every Mormon is the same, but I find respect and reverence for other religions as fundamental to my beliefs
@lazerbeam134 I don't deny for a moment that there are features of Norse mythology, etc. in the Lord of the Rings. But if you deny that it's deeply Catholic in inspiration, you're arguing, not with me, but with Tolkien himself!
Dude, I like the way you explain and put things in perspective! :)
Now I am enticed to read the trilogy.
It's just I'm wary if I can endure until the end.
Obviously the message remains impactful 14 years from the time this was shared.
Going to visit Oxford tomorrow and watching this video again to prime myself up 😊
Your argument isn't with me; it's with Tolkien himself. Look at his collected letters and you'll see the evidence.
Well, square this with Tolkien's explicit acknowledgement in a letter that the Lord of the Rings is Catholic in inspiration. I have no quarrel saying that one might "apply" the story to Catholicism.
I think this is the quotation you are referring to: "The Lord of the Rings is of course a fundamentally religious and Catholic work"
-Tolkien (in a letter to Robert Murray)
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This day does not belong to one man but to all. Let us together rebuild this world that we may share in the days of peace.
Just watched the extended versions while I’m quarantining for Covid. These movies were so good and I can’t get over the fact that western society is no longer capable of creating originals stories like this anymore.
I wish I could think as clearly as Dr Barron. Since I am not in his league intellectually, I am very happy to listen to his crystal-clear talks. He helps me A LOT and I hope he will read this comment. Maybe, one day, he will sit down with the terrifying Professor Dawkins and shred the man.
What then do you make of Tolkien's own admission that The Lord of the Rings is Catholic in inspiration? What do you make of the distinctively Catholic understandings of sin, grace, redemption, eucharist, and incarnation that are all through the text?
But Tolkien himself said it was a Catholic novel!
Coming from outside religion, I really like your descriptions rather than the 'fire and brimstone' approach that Chrisitanity often gets branded with. I find that your description of sin and overcoming it reminds me of Daoism: knowing the way, giving oneself up to the Way, or to God, rather than trying to make your own rules or forge your own way. I get a sense that it's about humility, trusting that you will end up doing the right thing if you trust in your conscience, the Way, or God.
I'm quite new to social media and I'm absolutely loving this channel! I'm a big Tolkien fan. I love the LOTR movies, audio plays and books a lot! Now, I'm wondering if there are any other great Catholic stories. I recently stumbled upon The Will of the Woods, finally a story that my daughter could listen too as well but that was more like a fantastic fairy tale. Still, it had great moral value and was very funny and enjoyable for adults as well. It's an audio story from Audio Epics, but they don't have many other stories as far as I can see on their website... I don't even really know if the creator is a Catholic but it sure feels like it... I also really enjoyed the themes of friendship and having courage in Harry Potter! Do you know any other inspiring, touching fantasy stories that you recommend, preferably from Catholic authors or at least authors who spread Catholic morals? They must be okay for children to listen to as well, like The Will of the Woods or a lot of Disney animation stories... because Harry Potter does get very dark in the later volumes...
Audrey Write check out Michael O’Brien’s books. I’d recommend starting with Fr. Elijah.
Great insights into human depravity, sin, lust, power, divine mercy, etc.
Father! Thanks so much for the video.
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You bet. It has a beautiful collage of different cultures in it from many different ages on Earth. His major passion at Exeter was studying languages. To know these language, he had to learn the cultures. He also stated that the books were created for these languages (which he combined to form his own), rather than the reverse. Most significantly, it has a very Christian-defined 'Good' and 'Evil' in many ways.
Hi Fr. Barron. Your gift of clariy is a great gift from God. Some catholic priests preach rock & roll and most movies containing blasphemous script and occult element not to be watch coz' it's a place of occasion of sin and the viewer will support the makers of the demonic (as some priests say) music & movies. I see it as scrupulous which could be a sin in itself (holy priests like you watch it). I'd like to confirm though how is it scrupulous or not and what is the truth? Gbu.
Many good points, especially about picking one to destroy the evil among us. In my series of Bible studies (based on the characters and character groups) I begin with Frodo. The short version is this, "Frodo was given one task, take the Ring of Power, into enemy territory, up a mountain, and have the ring unmade. Likewise Jesus was given one task, take our sin, into enemy territory, carry them up a hill, and have them unmade as He died for us on the cross. I'm not saying Frodo is Jesus, but there is that lesson about Jesus' mission in the Lord of the Rings.
This has been my favorite book since I was 13 and now am 64. Thank you for summing up themes I have always known were there in a succinct way. There could not be a greater contrast than the fact that as these movies came out, so did Harry Potter, a series about demonism where children were witches! A clear choice of which message to give your kids, and yourself.
I suggest you actually read the Harry Potter books with an open mind. They actually contain a number of Christian themes, such as the power of love, forgiveness, the nihilistic futility of evil, and self-sacrifice. They are stealth Christian novels.
+ingenparks Rowling is a Presbyterian after all.
Granted, yes, but at the same time, in terms of themes of sanctity, Harry Potter does not even compare with Lord of the Rings
@GILR8 There is a resemblance there for a reason, as I had said before. His great area of expertise was mythology. The fantastical creatures he populated Arda and the rest of his Cosmos with, were drawn from myths of Anglo-Saxon, Norse, and Celtic derivation, with influence from Greco-Roman. There are characters, for example, that resemble nymphs and hamadryads, and dryads. The fact is, the Silmarillion doesn't call Valar angels or gods, but they seem closer to gods to me, in terms of mythos.
@lazerbeam134 Well, you can leave the "vast propaganda machine" out of it. I'm not sure I even know what that means. I do know that J.R.R. Tolkien himself said in one of his letters that the Lord of the Rings was "Catholic in inspiration." I was simply trying to concretize that claim with examples. I was reading through the lens proposed by the author himself!
But what about Tolkien's own letter, in which he said that LOTR began as implicitly Catholic and became explicitly so as it progressed? That said, I agree wtih you that the "meaning" of a text is not restricted to "what the author intended." Sure, LOTR is open to a variety of readings and interpretations.
It seems to me that having a few elements that reflect Catholicism doesn't make it a Catholic book, but Fr. Barron describes so many elements that reflect Catholic principles (in parts one and two) that I think it is a strong case that this is a Catholic story, even before we learn that the author said it was. It couldn't completely embody Catholicism, because then it would be a catechism, not a novel
Who would thumbs down this? Very cool
Yeah wasn't aware of this growing up as a child/teenager, but can definitely see how Catholicism is in the movie particularly with the One Ring. We see how this object that gives someone power to be gradually corrupt by it to where they become unrecognizable of what they once were. For example, we see Boromir (a man of high regard & valor) try to take the ring from Frodo by force because he believed it was essential to save his people. However, he allowed the Ring to make him do something he truly regretted. Consequently, Boromir then sought forgiveness/redemption by sacrificing himself in order save Merry & Pippin as well as to ensure his soul was cleaner and prepared when his time came.
Ah, still another lucid and subtle bit of reasoning from a representative of the "new" atheist community!
How can someone dispute the Catholic narrative metaphors and symbolism in LOTR?
This a direct quote from ProfessorTolkien:
"The Lord of the Rings is of course a fundamentally religious and Catholic work; unconsciously so at first, but consciously in the revision. That is why I have not put in, or have cut out, practically all references to anything like 'religion', to cults or practices, in the imaginary world. For the religious element is absorbed into the story and the symbolism"
hmm. but christianity's love thine enemy, etc. as virtue, where does that come from?
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Someone made his way to this video 14 years apart from the day it enters the internet.
It does not shows up in my recommendation. I just deliberately search for it.
Well... Going to have to re-read and re-watch Lord of the Rings.
Tolkien himself said that the Lady Galadriel was meant to evoke Our Lady Mary. Sam's speech:
"The Lady of Lórien! Galadriel!" cried Sam. "You should see her, indeed you should, sir. I am only a hobbit, and gardening's my job at home, sir, if you understand me, and I'm not much good at poetry - not at making it: a bit of comic rhyme, perhaps, now and again, you know, but not real poetry - so I can't tell you what I mean. It ought to be sung. You'd have to get Strider, Aragorn that is, or old Mr Bilbo, for that. But I wish I could make a song about her. Beautiful she is, sir! Lovely! Sometimes like a great tree in flower, sometimes like a white daffadowndilly, small and slender like. Hard as di'monds, soft as moonlight. Warm as sunlight, cold as frost in the stars. Proud and far-off as a snow-mountain, and as merry as any lass I ever saw with daisies in her hair in springtime. But that's a lot o' nonsense, and all wide of my mark."
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Only makes me love LOTR even more!
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Interesting. I didn't know that about Rowling.
To Lazerbeam 134:
During The Rough-Drafts, What You suggest about The Valar resembling Pagan Dieties may
be accurate. However when J.R.R. Tolkien Refined His Final Drafts,"Divine" Power
Does Not suggest the valar were inherently divine by themselves. One of the Nine Choirs of Angels
Are called "Powers", Dominions, Principalities, etc. The Governance of The Universe,
In Particular of Celestial Bodies & Luminaries were always given to lower beings. I have read
about other Pagan Dieties.
Catholicism means universal. Anyone writing about anything that is really good in other books will borrow off what the Catholic church teaches. Even if the author knew nothing about Catholicism, he participates in sharing some of the universal church's beliefs. And Tolkien did make "The Lord of the Rings" a Catholic novel.
@GILR8 My point regarding Gandalf as a "demigod" is in that he is in fact, a creature both divine and human. The point is that the story involves a lot of powerful characters, not merely weak beings that conquer great evil through their own humble humility, as the poster I was arguing against had suggested. And, Aragorn was no reluctant king in the end. He may have begun that way, but the character evolved to claim what was his by right of blood, not the will of the people.
Apparently.
Lord of the rings is my fav movie!!the battle of good vs. Evil👍
Saruman is the most interesting. He was offered the chance to repent numerous times after his defeat at Isengard. Rejected them all. Ultimately upon his death he was rejected by the west(god) as the ultimate judge of him.
Some great information 👍🏽
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Excelente video!
@GILR8 lol. I have read the Silmarillion, LOTR and the Hobbit several times. The Valar were basically equivalent of PAGAN deities if you had ever read anything about such things. One Vala was designated as the bearer of the moon, another of the sun (much like Artemis and Apollo). Valar is meant to indicated "Power", such as divine power. Eru Iluvatar in the "pantheon" would occupy the space of a creator god that predates all other powers in the cosmos, such as gods etc.
Sauron to Frodo when he puts on the Ring in the tavern
"You cannot hide... I see you.
There is no life, in the Void... Only death."
@GILR8 1: The OT is not considered history, generally speaking. 2: Rome appointed dictators as a temporary office in time of crisis, and the selection was not by the people, but the senate. Star Wars was a lot different than the history behind the Roman Imperial period. Octavian Caesar had, through political manipulation, and military force, coerced the Roman senate into conferring upon him powers unprecedented for a consul. There were, in Rome's early days, Kings, and they ruled by force.
I never new this.
Tolkien actually managed to reconvert C.S. Lewis to Christianity, since he used to be an atheist. To Tolkien’s dismay, however, Lewis became Anglican. Another thing they disagreed with was Lewis’ use of allegory in the Narnia books.
awesome. I LOVE IT
Because LOTR is not an allegory. What the Father is doing is not decoding allegory but detecting images taken from the Christian faith that have infused the book through Tolkien's thinking.
Of course, he is wrong in his initial remarks, that the Inklings wanted to propagate Christianity. They wanted to write the stories they would like to read. Tolkien didn't write LOTR to propagate anything but certainly his faith influenced the contents.
I want to make clear that I am NOT an anti-Harry Potter guy. I have no opinion on Harry Potter.
As I said several times (people really should learn to read before they answer) I have nothing against H.P. since I have not read it
I simply reported some views of OTHER people I read in papers or seen in some documentaries.
I will probably not read HP because I am not so fond of that kind of novels, but maybe one day I might give it a shot.
@wordonfirevideo Interesting. I have read that he had other things to say on the subject. For one, it was not in anyway intended as allegory. Again, being inspired by his religion is one thing. He might have proposed that lens, but he also explicityl left it open to interpretation, unlike CS Lewis and his anvil dropping Chronicles of Narnia. I can give you that he was influenced by his beliefs, but there is something more in it. I know people who found there way to norse paganism in the fandom.
Some great content, thank you. I love hearing people who love the Lord of the rings as much as I do.
Couple of points
Firstly, in my opinion, the second biggest hero is Boromir. It is slanderous to call him unjust.
Like all of us, he falls; he fails. But then what does he do? He repentance. And he gives his life to try and save “the little ones”.
According to the Bible, Boromir reached the pinnacle “greater love has no man, and the man lay down his life for his friends”.
My second point is that Frodo did not, and could not Destroy the ring.
Frodo was heroic - but the power of the ring was in the end stronger. In the end, Frodo was dependent on Providence (and Gollum) to get the job done
Fr. please do commentary about the "Manifest" series in netflix. TY
Also the look of Mordoar also looks like Dr Seuss the Lorax meaning the greed and disrespectful nature of the industrial revolution blinded humanity to the destruction of Eden
hola. soy yepzary díaz de Venezuela. me encantan todos los episodios de su programa pero, lamentablemente no los puedo apreciar por internet cuando quiero ya que, están en ingles. podrían hacer algo al respecto? lo pregunto porque si lo he de descargar (comprar) no lo entendería igual. no soy muy tecnológica y no se si haya algún convertidor?.... bendiciones.
@benabaxter 1: Catholicism and Christianity lacks mythos? 2: You have both, actually. Gandalf is a hero, and he is a demigod that shoots lightning. Legolas is a hero, and he is an immortal elf that can shoot arrows from his bow like it's a Tommy gun. Aragorn is all about will to power. Through possessing noble lineage, noble bearing, strength of arms, and healing hands, he restores a fallen kingdom to its former glory. 3: Odin was hung upon for a tree, similar to the crucifixion of Christ.
To lazerbeam134:
Aragorn was Absolutely NOT About "Power for Power's Sake" and/or "Will To Power".
If Anything The Last Thing He Wanted To Be Was King. That Is Why He Voluntary Chose Exile In Rivendell.
He feared Corruption Like His Fore-Father Isildur. "TO BE A KING MEANS TO SERVE, NOT TO BE SERVED".
That Is Why/How People Choose Their Monarchs.
@benabaxter And likewise, the Lord of the Rings is not all about the glories of Christianity. It is about a tale much older than that in a sense. The hero's quest, which is the core of mythos. And Tolkien was a mythologist, first and foremost.
2019 anyone?
@rafaravioli But then your quarrel is with Tolkien himself, who admitted that LOTR is a Catholic book.
Hello sir I was told multiple times on TH-cam that Tolkien was sending letters which have said that Lord of the rings is not shown as Christian but rather Norse mythic origin. Right now I am lost and don't know what to believe anymore I was hoping you could explain further or see if the rumor I explained was true as I havent seen true evidence of the letters.
@@randomguygaming5555 you might be confusing something. His world takes inspiration from norse mythology-dwarves and elves are norse for example. But the themes in the book are fundamentally Christian, and Tolkien has said that himself. I believe he said that it is a "fundamentally catholic work"
You can tell when a Catholic or someone raised Catholic discovers that Bilbo, Frodo weren’t there real names…we take delight…however Protestants take the work so literally to the point of the color of their skin…it’s bonkers…like they ,missed the entire point of Tolkien’s work.
Catholics miss the entire point of the entirety of the gospel of the kingdom of God, they're so deep in the lies, I feel sorry for them. Who was it said 'call no man Father'? Catholics say 'Fuck that Jesus'.
The Silmarillion is also great.
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@Strefanasha I am not simply arguing about divine right. I am also talking about the might makes right philosophy of "warrior kings" as well. Divine right is just one way to approach monarchy, but I am saying that I am doubtful that monarchy ever was something the people wanted. Using religion or force, has been the point of monarchy. Basically, another poster claimed that people have historically "chose" their monarchs. This is simply untrue.
Father, I have an idea for a video about a classic movie. As this year is the 75th anniversary of "The Wizard of Oz", could you maybe do a video on "The Wizard of Oz"? During the past few years, I have felt that there is a lot of religious meaning in "The Wizard of Oz".
+bender1958 Yes, love that one too! And the Neverending Story!
Thank you!
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Also, I am not ignorant of history, either. I love history, actually. The fact is, I don't consider a society ruled by the strongest warrior any more fair or just than a society ruled by the "god king" archetype. Being king because you killed the last king is hardly ruling by the consent of the governed. That is ruling by force, based on the notion that might makes right. Basically, the will to power idea that was discussed previously.
I love these bits by Bishop Barron, but shouldn't this "Bishop Barron on 'The Lord of the Rings'" be Part 1 of 3?
@wordonfirevideo mm no. He stated quite explicitly that he wrote it to tell a story. The Hobbit was simply a story to tell his kids. The works of Tolien may draw from Christian thought, but it also drew from Norse, Celtic and general Pagan mythology. Tolkien was a master scholar, a linguistics expert, a mythologist of unprecedented skill, and overall more educated than the average bear.
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@lazerbeam134 3, cont: Tyr was a god who willingly sacrificed his own shield hand to the jaws of the Fenris wolf, so that Freyr and Thor could bind the beast and hold off the force of hatred and chaos the wolf represents. 4: They converted at the tip of a Christian sword. So, what does that say about Christianity?
Okay but tbh the "pure one" has gotta be Sam, not Frodo. Although Frodo is good, he still gets affected by the ring, and the whole thing really hinges on Sam getting Frodo to Mt Doom.
Sam isn't the one who has to where the ring, nor is he the one characters continuously emphasize the inherent goodness of.
jared sandoy I know, but in a sense the entire story depends on Sam as well, as Frodo never would've made it to Mt. Doom by himself. I just don't think that people really give Sam enough credit for his loyalty - Ring-affected-Frodo wasn't always exactly nice to be around, and Sam could easily have given up at any time, even when Frodo himself did - but he didn't.
in many ways Sam is the only sensible one in the group. he worries about coking pots, and rope, and rations. And he carries on after Frodo leaves.; tends the soil, plants a tree, raises a family, completes Frodo's' book, and tells others. He then goes on to become Mayor. He's a stand in for St Peter perhaps? or St John, the one who Stood with Christ in his worst hour?
Apparently Tolkien fought in the same battle that Hitler got one of his nuts shot off in. So there is a chance, however slight that JRR Tolkien shot off one of Hitler's balls.
He was actually a supporter of Fascism especially in Spain.
That was far more on clericalist grounds than on fascist grounds, the republican side of the war openly wanted to destroy the catholic church and that alarmed many Catholics throughout the world. There were actually detachments of Irish socialist volunteers who fought under the nationalists on religious grounds.
jared sandoy Blueshirts weren't socialist.
+Carthago Delenda Est But don't you know that all those Jews with chips on their shoulder say he did? He also has a deformed micro penis, and is addicted to meth.
@@castorpollux24 he did not support fascism or the nazi's...in Europe at those times most people found themselves supporting ideas of socialist thought and most accepted moderate views of it as many still do today, and as a political movement socialism has its extremes, e.g. Nazi fascist dictatorship or Stalinist communist dictatorship...socialism was supported by, Bertrand Russell, George Orwell, Mark Twain, Albert Einstein, Picasso, that does not mean they supported fascism...
dude, this is cool
In Lord of the rings the "Wizards" such as Gandalf and Saruman are not humans but are lesser forms of the Valar (somewhat like lesser angels).
The 'leechcraft' of Grima Wormtongue and the magic of the witch-king are clearly portrayed as evil.
Anyway: I am not a Potter-basher, I am not really a fan of Potter but nor an hater either. My point is: The way Tolkien e Rowlings use magic is quite different.
Sauron has no physical body at the time of the LOTR events. He lost his actual body in the drowning of Numenor and after that can only take on physical form with the help of the ring.
To lazerbeam134:
If You knew about Professor Tolkien's Works, then You would know that His Character of Gandalf/Mithrandir/Olorin was/is NOT a Demi-god. There was Only The One God (Lluvatar) Throughout His
LOTR Mythos. Gandalf, like Saruman, Balrogs, Morgoth/Melkor, & Sauron a Maiar/Valar/Ainur - "Lesser"
Spirit/Angel. Elves were NOT Immortal. They only live as long as the "Physical" Earth Exists.
Mankind were Greater than the elves because they share in the afterlife of the future World.
One quibble Father...
Orcs are not elves - Saruman lied. Orcs are the embodiment of the Oxford Rugby Club...
;-)
And it's funny that you bring up Greek Philosophy while maintaining that the story of Jesus is a "mirage in the sand" since we have overwhelming historical documentary evidence for the life and work of Jesus while we have almost none for the great greeks like Alexander. Of course who was it that preserved Greek and Roman learning after the fall of the Roman Empire? Certainly wasn't dedicated bands of humanists or atheists. It was, of course, the Catholic Church.
Bishop Barron, can you do a video on John Lennon?
Who is this guy and why Im want him as a friend?
I agreee with you that drawing comparisons with many of these movies is silly and unnecessary, but in this instance I think it works. You referenced the Simarillion earlier, the creation story there is so similar to that of Catholic Theology (the greatest angel/Valar turning on its master, etc.) Middle Earth was a world pre-Christ for sure, but denying any connection to Judeo Christiantheology and tradition is just silly.
@Strefanasha Did you see anything I else I posted on the subject of monarchy? Being an Emperor that claims descent from Venus and Mars isn't claiming divine right to rule? That Roman Emperors were deified upon death doesn't support the notion that "divine right" is an old idea? What about the Pharaohs of Egypt? They claimed that they were the living manifestations of Ra, Amon, Osiris, and Aten on Earth. Or the ancient Mesopotamian cultures, who had kings standing in for the sky god Enkil?
@GILR8 People do not choose monarchs. They have never chosen monarchs. "The DIVINE right of Kings" has been the justification of monarchy from the beginning of human civilization.People choose to depose monarchs, but if a new monarch takes his place, it is through exertion of force. The point is, the argument that LOTR is all about small heroes, then that isn't the case. The hobbits would have surely died countless time, had it not been for their superior companions.
you got it a bit wrong witth the dark lord sauron, there is substence to him and sauron is basically satan of lord of the rings hes always been evil never been the fallen angel, what sauron always wanted is greed to control everything and more, sauron also uses fear and stays in the backround he has a body but choses not to show up. dont forget his appearence in the first movie. tolkien says when he became the dark lord his form was so terrifying that no man or being could stand before him.
It is far fetched.... but some people think so.
Besides I always found a little far fetched the idea that the misbehavior of their kids is to blame upon books or movies or songs...
I love how he says soran instead of sauron😂
Great video, Father! I have long thought about the whole corruption/perversion element of the evil characters. Creating is fundamentally a Godly act, and perversion the only means of creation for the enemy. Thus the angel-like elves become worn down, twisted, polluted and perverted into orcs, much like the fallen angels. Samwise has some beautiful passages about resistance in the last chapter of TTT and the first of book 6 in RotK. :D
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id be interested to know peoples views on the link between lord off the rings and wagners ring cycle
I'm sure all this is true, but I never saw it this way. I was a "ringer" before it was popular. I always saw LOTR as a deeply Pagan work, and by Pagan I mean pre-Christian Europe. Celtic, ancient-Germanic, pagan Finland. This isn't even controversial. Tolkein was a scholar of ancient European language and myths. Are there Christian themes? Well Aragorn is certainly a Christ figure, and you can argue that so is Gandalf. I would prefer to say that these are Universal themes in a Jungian sense. Every culture has a mythology of a savior figure who dies and is reborn in order to "save the land." Christianity is only one of many.
2:43 They have a form, but it's invisible.
Jesus fights evil with the Aikido arts