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The Word on Fire Show - Catholic Faith and Culture
WOF 402: The Faith of J.R.R. Tolkien w/ Holly Ordway
Sep 4, 2023
Holly Ordway, Author of Tolkien's Faith: A Spiritual Biography, joins the podcast to discuss J.R.R. Tolkien's Catholic faith and its influence on his literary works. They explore the concept of euchatastrophe in Tolkien's writings, his personal discussions about his faith, and how his Catholicism shaped his approach to storytelling. Gain fresh insights into the faith of the renowned author behind 'The Lord of the Rings'.
36:54
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Quick takeaways
- J.R.R. Tolkien's Catholic faith played a significant role in shaping his fiction, particularly through the incorporation of biblical language and imagery effortlessly into his writing.
- Tolkien's Catholic upbringing, combined with his experiences of personal loss and the horrors of war, equipped him to grapple with the problem of evil and maintain his faith while influencing the themes of suffering and redemption in his novels.
Deep dives
Tolkien's Catholic Faith and its Influence on his Writings
In this interview with Dr. Holly Ordway, the connection between J.R.R. Tolkien's Catholic faith and his writings is explored. While publicly he focused on literary topics, his belief in the Eucharist, the sacramental presence of Christ, played a significant role in his spiritual life and shaped his fiction. Tolkien's understanding of euchatastrophe, a happy and unexpected turn of events in fairy tales, was influenced by the Catholic belief in the incarnation and resurrection. His devotion to memorizing prayers and scripture passages also allowed him to incorporate biblical language and imagery effortlessly into his writing. Through his faith, Tolkien found a deeper meaning and resonance in his own creative work.
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