In this months Christian Book Club we have been reading the Hobbit by JRR Tolkien. We started withe Hobbit as an introduction to our next three months’ reading, The Lord of the Rings, a trilogy also by Tolkien. Some people might wonder why we are reading these book on a Christian Book Club. C.S. Lewis said this, “Sometimes fairy tales may say best what’s to be said”. This is actually the title of an essay he wrote on the subject.
I have the idea that as believers, God wants us to use our imaginations. God, who created everything, created us in His image. Part of the package is being creative. Our ability to imagine is God given. Like many gifts it is sometimes misused, but the reaction to the misuse should not be, no use. Our imaginations can be used for Holy purposes. I like to imagine what it must have been like as I read the Bible. Using my holy imagination in this way often helps me to understand and meditate more deeply on the scripture.
In Tolkien’s writings, we get to see characters making good choices. Deciding to serve, to sacrifice, to do the right thing. While there may not be a specific God character, there is a story line of characters who want to do what is right and to do right with right motives. At times, they also fall short, but that is a true picture of our own lives.
I have, once again, become quickly engrossed in the books and well into the Lord of the Ring series already(The first time I read the books, thirty years ago when I was in college, I nearly flunked out of school because I just stayed in the dorm room reading. So far I have been making it to work!) I hope that as you continue to read the story, you will be encouraged to share your observations along the way. I look forward to reading your comments here on the Christian Book Club.
Our next book is part one of The Lord of the Rings trilogy, The Fellowship of the Ring.
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The Fellowship of the Ring Part One of the Lord of the Rings
By J.R.R. Tolkien / Houghton-mifflin
The first volume in J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic adventure The Lord of the Rings. In ancient times the Rings of Power were crafted by the Elven-smiths, and Sauron, the Dark Lord, forged the One ring, filling it with his own power so that he could rule all others. But the One ring was taken from him, and though he sought it throughout Middle-earth, it remained lost to him. After many ages it fell into the hands of Bilbo Baggins, (as told in The Hobbit). The Ring eventually passes to Bilbo’s young nephew, Frodo Baggins. The fearsome Ringwraiths were searching for the Ring. Frodo Baggins knew they were seeking him and the Ring he bore, the Ring of Power that would enable evil Sauron to destroy all that was good in Middle-earth. Now it was up to Frodo and his faithful friend, Sam. With a small band of companions to carry the Ring to the one place it could be destroyed, Mount Doom, in the very center of Suaron’s dark kingdom.
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The April Christian Book Club selection is J.R.R. Tolkien’s, “The Hobbit”. This will kick off a four month marathon of Tolkien’s wonderful books about hobbits, wizards, goblins, orcs, dragons, elves and gollum. I first these book when I was in college. They almost caused me to flunk out. I got so wrapped up in the Lord of the Ring trilogy that I just didn’t go to class for a week while I read all of the books. I have read them since when I introduced them to my children. This time, I think I am reading them for the sense of nostalgia. Reading the books makes me feel good.
I am already immensely enjoying the Hobbit once again. It is one of those books that it is easy to make time for. With nineteen chapters, it will be easy to complete the book this month if you read five chapters a week. I look forward to reading your comments about the book. I am especially interested in to any conversations that we might have about Christian themes in the book. I will include the link to purchase the book in case you don’t have a copy. Happy reading!
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The Hobbit
By J.R.R. Tolkien / Houghton-mifflin
If you care for journeys there and back, out of the comfortable Western world, over the edge of the Wild, and home again, and can take interest in a humble hero (blessed with a little wisdom and a little courage), here is a record of such a journey and such a traveler. The period is the ancient time between the age of Faerie and the dominion of men, when the famous forest of Mirkwood was still standing, and the mountains were full of danger. In following the path of the humble adventurer, you will learn by the way (as he did) – if you do not already know all about these things – much about trolls, goblins, dwarves, and elves, and get some glimpses into the history and politics of a neglected but important period.
For Mr. Bilbo Baggins visited various notable persons; conversed with the dragon, Smaug the Magnificent; and was present, rather unwillingly, at the Battle of the Five Armies. This is all the more remarkable, since he was a hobbit. Hobbits have hitherto been passed over in history and legend, perhaps because they as a rule preferred peace and quiet to excitement. But his account, based on his personal memoirs, of the one exciting year in the otherwise quiet life of Mr. Bilbo Baggins will give you a fair idea of the estimable people now (it is said) becoming rather rare.
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On the Christian Book Club in March we have been reading The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis. To me, this is one of those books that you can read over and over again. Each time I read it, I feel like I am able to take something different away from the book. One of the chapters that really caught my attention (there were many of them) was Chapter 15 where the discussion turns to living in the future or living in the present. Screwtape says this on page 76; “In a word, the future is, of all things, the thing least like eternity. It is the most completely temporal part of time–for the past is frozen and no longer flows, and the present is all lit up with eternal rays. Hence the encouragement we have given all those schemes of thought such as Creative Evolution, Scientific Humanism, or Communism, which fix men’s affections on the future, on the very core of temporality. Hence nearly all vices are rooted in the future. Gratitude looks to the past and love to the present; fear, avarice, lust, and ambition look ahead.”
That thought process really seemed to connect with me and the situation we find ourselves in today. Everyone seems so focused on the future, that in order to achieve what they think they want, they will do whatever they think it takes. In the process that have completely sacrificed the present, and they are really no longer living at all.
I hope that you have enjoyed reading the Screwtape Letters on Christian Book Club. As always, I look forward to your comments.
In April our Christian Book Club selection is “The Hobbit” by JRR Tolkien. I am going to put a link to the book in case you need to purchase a copy. After we read the Hobbit we are going to continue the story by reading the Lord of the Rings Trilogy. I look forward to your comments and insight in the weeks ahead.
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The Hobbit
By J.R.R. Tolkien / Houghton-mifflin
If you care for journeys there and back, out of the comfortable Western world, over the edge of the Wild, and home again, and can take interest in a humble hero (blessed with a little wisdom and a little courage), here is a record of such a journey and such a traveler. The period is the ancient time between the age of Faerie and the dominion of men, when the famous forest of Mirkwood was still standing, and the mountains were full of danger. In following the path of the humble adventurer, you will learn by the way (as he did) – if you do not already know all about these things – much about trolls, goblins, dwarves, and elves, and get some glimpses into the history and politics of a neglected but important period.
For Mr. Bilbo Baggins visited various notable persons; conversed with the dragon, Smaug the Magnificent; and was present, rather unwillingly, at the Battle of the Five Armies. This is all the more remarkable, since he was a hobbit. Hobbits have hitherto been passed over in history and legend, perhaps because they as a rule preferred peace and quiet to excitement. But his account, based on his personal memoirs, of the one exciting year in the otherwise quiet life of Mr. Bilbo Baggins will give you a fair idea of the estimable people now (it is said) becoming rather rare.
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