Spiritual Insights from the Movies

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Concepts: Courage; Greatness; Humility; Leadership; Sacrifice; Servanthood; Service; Weakness
Scriptures: Psalm 110:3; Matthew 23:12; Mark 9:35; Luke 9:46-48; Luke 14:11; Luke 18:14; 1 Corinthians 1:26-31; 1 Corinthians 15:58; Philippians 2:1-10; 1 Peter 5:5-6
The Scene: from 1:29:00-1:31:30 on the video

In The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, based on Christian author J. R. R. Tolkien's famous books, we see the classic conflict between good and evil set in a mythical land called Middle Earth. After a great battle in ancient times, the Dark Lord Sauron was temporarily defeated and his most dreaded weapon, the Ring of Power, was lost for many ages.

A character named Bilbo Baggins—from a race of small beings called hobbits—found the ring and, unaware of its true identity, passed it on to his nephew Frodo as part of an inheritance. Frodo Baggins (Elijah Wood) plays the central role in the story—and he is an unlikely hero. Full of humility and hesitation, he embarks on an epic quest to destroy this most powerful tool of the Dark Lord.

At one point the rulers of the nations have gathered in a council to decide what to do with the ring, which sits before them on a stone pedestal. The fate of the world hangs on their decision. Under the strain of the decision and the seeming impossibility of the task, bitter infighting breaks out in the council.

"The ring was made in the fires of Mount Doom," says the head of the council. "Only there can it be unmade. It must be taken deep into Mordor and cast back into the fiery chasm from which it came. One of you must do this."

But one council member objects, "One does not simply walk into Mordor. Its black gates are guarded by more than just orcs. There is evil there that does not sleep, and the great eye is ever watchful. It is a barren wasteland, riddled with fire and ash and dust. Not with 10,000 men could you do this. It is folly!"

The council members begin to protest, bicker, and accuse, standing and pointing at each other, until a small voice is heard that silences them all. Frodo stands and says, "I will take it. I will take it! I will take the ring to Mordor."

The members of the council are stunned into silence, and one by one they pledge themselves to be a team supporting Frodo. Thus is born "The Fellowship of the Ring."

Frodo, the smallest, least powerful, and humblest of them all emerges as the greatest, because he's willing to do what must be done, regardless of the sacrifice.

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (New Line Cinema, 2001), directed by Peter Jackson, is rated PG-13 for battles scenes and frightening images. Illustration submitted by Bill White, Paramount, California.

Copyright © 2004 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

Every week, we'll bring you a new nugget of spiritual or biblical truth in a particular film—great for family discussions, for Bible studies, or for teaching or preaching. These insights come courtesy of PreachingToday.com, which has almost 9,000 sermon illustrations—including more than 300 from movies, most of which are available at your local video store.

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