The Thomistic Institute
Tolkien And The Eucharist In "The Lord Of The Rings" | Prof. Peter Kreeft
Oct 30, 2019
Philosopher and theologian, Prof. Peter Kreeft, dives into the religious and philosophical themes in 'The Lord of the Rings', discussing good and evil, the hierarchy of moral knowledge, power, addiction, and divine elements in the narrative. He explores themes of immortality, fantasy, and sacrifice, as well as the relationship between body and soul, Descartes' views, and modern work ethics. The podcast also touches on subsidiarity, Tom Bombadil, and Tolkien's influences.
01:35:19
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Quick takeaways
- Tolkien subtly weaves Catholic themes into 'The Lord of the Rings' narrative, prompting deeper faith exploration.
- Symbolism in 'The Lord of the Rings' reflects shifts in Western civilization and humanity's essence of evil.
Deep dives
The Religious Element in Tolkien's Work
Tolkien explicitly mentions the religious and Catholic aspects in his work 'Lord of the Rings' in Letter 142, highlighting how the religious themes are intricately woven into the story and its symbolism. By absorbing the religious element into the narrative, Tolkien creates a fundamentally religious and Catholic work without overtly inserting religious references, engaging readers in a deeper exploration of faith and its subtleties.
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