The Lord of the Rings

The sumptuous Tolkien prequel has returned. Here’s what a few CT writers noticed.

Tolkien’s kingdom of Númenor is a cautionary tale for us today.

Amazon’s “Rings of Power” series adds to what Tolkien termed the “Cauldron of Story,” where sub-creators mix up the stew of God’s creation.

Gandalf promises Bilbo Baggins a “profitable” quest, but the wizard has a different sort of treasure in mind.

At odds with his world, he created another.

Tolkien’s classic quest is interpreted through the wider lens of his full Middle-Earth works.

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King ties the Oscar record. The Passion of The Christ, a “loser” with critics, is a box office blockbuster. Meanwhile, Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights is dirty and dumb, Twisted is torture, Eurotrip is trash, and Clifford’s Big Movie charms the kids.

Has God been “re-routing” us through popular movies, books, and cultural events?

Tolkien wanted his Lord of the Rings to echo the “Lord of Lords”—but do we have ears to hear?

Fate, free will, and moral responsibility in Tolkien.