For me, more than any other Christian-labeled movie, The Lord of the Rings will always be the most impactful, stunning piece of art/media. Even though it wasn’t marketed as a “Christian” film, it has clear connections to the gospel simply by being from Tolkien. There are so many beautiful Christian themes. A humble king returning to the throne. God using even the smallest person to change the course of the future. Deep, sacrificial friendship. The clear fight between light and darkness.
I also love Narnia for this reason. Both films make me cry because of how they remind me of Christ’s love for us every time.
What movie for you, secular or Christian, reminds you of the gospel?
I love both! It makes such intellectual sense to me that Tolkein and Lewis were contemporaries and friends-- both wrote such inspirational stories and created their own genres, certainly feeding off one another for inspiration over a few pints at a local pub. How great would it have been to sit in on their conversations. Theology, politics, current events… their talks would have included all. Did they call each other by initials? Hey JRR… let me bounce an idea off you… Sure, CS… let’s hear it.
I wonder how many here see the gospel represented in these movies in a general sense, without diving deep into theological positions…
I mean it’s an easy chip shot to say-- of course, Return of the King is a creative and artistic telling of the gospel, but is it meant to be? Tolkein was Catholic and he uses rich symbolism throughout his tale, yet there is no Christ figure per se. The return of the king is the return of Aragon, not back from the dead, but as a triumph of good over evil.
Lewis is far more direct and more definitively Christian in his treatment of Aslan as a Christ figure. Yet the Narnia tales also point toward a gentle treatment of a sort of reincarnation process, where his characters appear and reappear in future eras, future roles and settings.
I like this song from the show… that plays on the life after death theme in a way that many Christians would openly reject.
Lewis firmly stated that the Chronicles were never meant to be an allegory, despite many Christians interpreting them as such.
Instead, the deep faith of both Tolkien and Lewis naturally permeated their storytelling, shaping their narratives in a way that reflected their beliefs without being overtly intentional.
I don’t think anyone here in this conversation referenced Lewis as allegory.
To say that the rich symbolism and Christian themes that permeate the writing of both was ‘unintentional’ would be gross error. Of course it was intentional, or it wouldn’t be there. It wasn’t accidental. You could argue that it was intentionally covert, meaning obscured on purpose-- but it’s clearly intended. I would contend that CS Lewis was without question overtly Christian in his story telling. How could you say it wasn’t?
I have a good friend in Colorado whom I first connected with online, but subsequently have visited in person and keep in touch with. He taught me to look at many things differently, but foremost among them-- dreams. When I think of that Matrix series, I think in terms of something he once said to me… ‘Maybe your dream, is dreaming you.’
Which was the reality in the Matrix? Weren’t all those people plugged into pods the reality? When I look around the world at all the craziness I wonder–
