5 minute read
Lord of the imagination
Since I read 'The Hobbit' in primary school I have been travelling to far-off lands and fighting dragons. I believe our imaginations are a gift from God and we should use them more, as we explore our faith and follow Jesus. Imagination is a temporary escape from reality to somewhere else. A place where we can more clearly see the themes of the real world, and our role within this place, so that we may live better in it upon our return.
We all have a story to tell, and our stories are intertwined with the story of God. Scripture often speaks in stories as God the master storyteller uses narrative to reveal his truth and inspire his people. Since God used story to reveal his truth, and all truth is his, we ought to be prompted to see that his story, deliberately or otherwise, is reflected in every other story ever told. We should therefore be driven to allowing our imagination to help us to see the timeless unfolding tale of God.
With the release of 'Tolkien' in cinemas, moviegoers were invited into the early life of one of the greatest story writers of all time, travelling with him through childhood, adolescence, falling in love and the horrors of the Somme. I enjoyed the film, yet was disappointed in its failure to display J.R.R. Tolkien as a man of deep religious conviction, which he undoubtedly was.
Tolkien’s faith defined him, it gave him a moral outlook and a worldview that is expressed vividly throughout the land of Middle Earth and in the deep mythology created around it. He, of course, was not the first nor the last to allow imagination to create a world from which a story of faith could be planted in the hearts of readers. When we trace the allegorical steps of Christian in John Bunyan’s 'Pilgrim’s Progress' or hear C.S. Lewis describe Aslan’s death upon the Stone Table, we connect the dots and see again the wonder of the cross and the expedition that is the Christian life.
Tolkien was doing more than writing a story for the sake of entertainment. Instead, he had a grander vision, shaped and fashioned by his life and faith. His primary motivation was his love of storytelling, yet as the work began to develop, a deeper meaning found itself, unconsciously at first, filtering into the text. Like a tree, this began to grow and spread out. As he wrote, the roots of the story spread branches which presented Tolkien’s outlook. Tolkien was a man with sincerely held principles which included: the importance of good literature; the protection of tradition and culture; the fair representation of history; respect for the environment; the foolishness of war; the importance of imagination and a deep-seated Christology. The stories that shape 'The Lord of The Rings', and the wider 'Legendarium' are tales written by Tolkien. What has been put to page was shaped by his experiences, faith and view of the world.
The form taken by his writing is one of applicability, speaking into all circumstances of his readership. Applicability allows for themes and ideas to be presented in a number of different places throughout hiswork, dissimilar to allegory where a single person, happening or theme represents or equals a single thing. The character of Jesus as displayed in 'The Lord of the Rings' for example, is not presented through one individual in the story but flows throughout the narrative, being apparent in numerous ways. Tolkien displays his understanding of Jesus as prophet, priest, king and servant.
Jesus as prophet can be seen in the character of the angelic natured Gandalf. Gandalf paints an applicable picture of both the biblical prophet and of Jesus the ultimate prophet. The wizard’s death, resurrection and transfiguration experience all point to Christ. Like Jesus, Gandalf comes with a message which calls others to respond and repent, to live in hope for truth and goodness. Gandalf is seen as a fulfilment of a work that only he could bring to completion, echoing the unique role of Christ as the ultimate prophet.
Jesus as priest can be observed in the character of the hobbit Frodo Baggins. Frodo paints an applicable picture of both the High Priests of old and of Jesus Christ the Great High Priest. Frodo, like Christ and the ancient priesthood, is called to cleanse the people from sin through sacrifice. Frodo, as he travels with the ring and then stands before the fires of Mount Doom on behalf of the people of Middle Earth, is like Jesus bringing completion to his task by being both the priest and sacrificial animal that faces death and wrath for the sake of others. The story of Frodo inspires others to live in a new community, as the story of the Great High Priest calls others to live and share in a new way, in a world ever changed by his priestly mission to the cross.
Jesus as king can be recognised in the character of Aragorn. Aragorn displays the picture of a long-awaited and prophesied king who would come to restore the monarchy, unite a fractured kingdom and lead a downtrodden people. Through a deep-seated knowledge of who they are, both Christ and the ranger from the north show gentleness and strength in bringing healing and battling evil. Aragorn represents Jesus as both the Christ who came to reveal the kingdom of God during his earthly ministry as well as the conquering king who will one day return to bring completion to that kingdom. Aragorn’s Christ symbol highlights the combination of the royal, priestly and prophetic in the mission of God.
The hobbit Sam is often overlooked, yet in him is a picture of Christ the servant. Sam’s role in 'The Lord of the Rings' is often unglamorous but is of central importance. Sam is the unlikely hero who, with power from within, overcomes and in doing so puts the needs of others before his own in devotional service. Sam symbolises both the servant heart of Christ and the nature of a Christian disciple who, like their master, would seek to serve and not be served.
Tolkien’s religious beliefs inspired him and shaped his storytelling. By seeing the prophetic in Gandalf,the priestly in Frodo, the royal in Aragorn, the serving in Sam those who visit Middle Earth may be inspired also – in going there with open minds we might just see the priestly prophet king who served this broken world by living, dying and rising from the dead. This Christ who upon his coming again will give glorious and everlasting meaning to the words: Return of the King.
Not only in Middle Earth but in Narnia or the pages and pictures of some far-off land our imagination can be fuelled to help us appreciate our own stories, our glorious storyteller God, the beauty of Scripture and the wonder of Jesus who is at the centre of the gospel, the greatest story ever told.
Rev Edward McKenzie is minister of Cregagh Presbyterian Church, Belfast.
