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Middle Earth is God's country | Lord Of The Rings 'cultus' often ignores Tolkien's devout Catholic faith. (Toronto Star, Canada)

For some, it's the spirit that moves them to 'Lord of the Rings' | Increasingly, the grist of religion—evil, redemption, forgiveness, social justice, integrity, life and death—is being played out in popular culture, from J.R.R. Tolkien's Mordor to HBO's Tony Soprano. (Minneapolis Star Tribune)

Scholars see Christian values in Tolkien's 'Lord of the Rings' | Harry Potter battles bad guys and black magic, but the kid wizard's story is still too profane for many Christians. Why, then, have so many Christians embraced J.R.R. Tolkien's epic fantasy, Lord of the Rings? Tolkien's 1,500-page trilogy has plenty of wizards, elves and magic, and it doesn't mention deity. It has no prayers, no rituals, no sacred scriptures and no clearly spelled-out dogma. (Salt Lake Tribune)

'Rings' trilogy stirs religious argument | there are other ways to interpret this scene and the whole 500,000-word trilogy, noted the actor inside those wizard's robes. As an openly gay atheist, Sir Ian McKellen said he had no problem putting his own spin on Tolkien's visions. The key, he said, is that this is a work of cultural myth, not Christian allegory. (Terry Mattingly, Scripps Howard News Service)

The Shul of Middle Earth | While the Lord of the Rings has defied allegory, countless scholars and fans have tried to attach religious, philosophical, and political meanings to it. Is there something Jewish to be found in Middle Earth? (Jewsweek)

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Baylor professor Ralph Wood reviewed the The Return of the King and criticized some plot changes.

Film Forum reviewer Jeffrey Overstreet also has a review, in which he praises the makers for the Christian virtues in the film.

CT articles on Tolkien include:

J. R. R. Tolkien and C. S. Lewis, a Legendary Friendship | A new book reveals how these two famous friends conspired to bring myth and legend-and Truth-to modern readers. (Aug. 29, 2003)

Space, Time, and the 'New Hobbit' | C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien discuss science fiction. (Aug. 29, 2003)

Saint J. R. R. the Evangelist | Tolkien wanted his Lord of the Rings to echo the "Lord of Lords"—but do we have ears to hear? (March 14, 2003)

9/11, History, and the True Story | Wartime authors J. R. R. Tolkien and C. S. Lewis help put 9/11 in perspective (Sept. 13, 2002)

Why The Lord of the Rings Is Dangerous | The authors of Tolkien's Ordinary Virtues and J. R. R. Tolkien's Sanctifying Myth talk about the Christian life in Faerie. (Dec. 18, 2002)

Does The Lord of the Rings Teach Salvation By Works? | The authors of Tolkien's Ordinary Virtues and J. R. R. Tolkien's Sanctifying Myth talk about whether Tolkien was too ignorant of evil and other subjects. (Dec. 19, 2002)

Hobbits Aren't Fence-Sitters | The authors of Tolkien's Ordinary Virtues and J. R. R. Tolkien's Sanctifying Myth discuss why Tolkien hated modernity and thinking about evil—and whether he was right to do so. (Dec. 20, 2002)

Lord of the Megaplex | The onscreen Fellowship of the Ring launches a new wave of Tolkienmania. (Nov. 12, 2001)

Soul Wars, Episode Two | The second Lord of the Rings film raises the spiritual stakes. (Dec. 18, 2002)

Fantasylands | How to tell an orc from an ewok. (Dec. 19, 2001)

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December (Web-only) 2003, Vol. 47