This really drew me in. Thanks Tom for the reassurance about humanity's capacity to be enchanted and a part of beauty in this strange era we're living through
Oh, this is a beautiful piece -- not only in your argument but in your writing style which is elegant! I was reading an article a while ago about how so many church buildings in Europe are being repurposed as you describe here, but of course you go beyond to consider implications for Tolkien, and Tolkien studies.
Really interesting! Congratulations. I do have one quibble, or rather, one question. I’m thinking of the insight Tolkien’s friend Lewis expressed: the physical and spiritual realms are not separate. Thus, Gandalf and Sam are talking about heaven as well as earth. Is our strict separation of these realms also modernist?
Thanks! I would agree that that the so-called "secular" and the so-called "spiritual" realms are more intertwined than separate. Christianity has always understood the two as distinct, but I'd also agree that the stark differentiation between them really kicks into overdrive with the Protestant Reformation and Catholic Counterreformation - that is to say, with the birth of modernity. To that extent, yes, Gandalf and Sam are both talking about heaven as well as earth. But within the frame of the text, they are talking about earth - the transcendent dimension of which remains implied not stated. It is "absorbed into the story and the symbolism," as Tolkien says - and that seems to me part of what leaves it so powerfully open to those who don't find the concept of heaven a useful one.
This really drew me in. Thanks Tom for the reassurance about humanity's capacity to be enchanted and a part of beauty in this strange era we're living through
Beautifully said, Tom. Congratulations on your good work, my friend!
Oh, this is a beautiful piece -- not only in your argument but in your writing style which is elegant! I was reading an article a while ago about how so many church buildings in Europe are being repurposed as you describe here, but of course you go beyond to consider implications for Tolkien, and Tolkien studies.
Incredible paper, Tom. Wish I had been there in person to hear it! Looking forward to more of your work 🤘🏼
Really interesting! Congratulations. I do have one quibble, or rather, one question. I’m thinking of the insight Tolkien’s friend Lewis expressed: the physical and spiritual realms are not separate. Thus, Gandalf and Sam are talking about heaven as well as earth. Is our strict separation of these realms also modernist?
Thanks! I would agree that that the so-called "secular" and the so-called "spiritual" realms are more intertwined than separate. Christianity has always understood the two as distinct, but I'd also agree that the stark differentiation between them really kicks into overdrive with the Protestant Reformation and Catholic Counterreformation - that is to say, with the birth of modernity. To that extent, yes, Gandalf and Sam are both talking about heaven as well as earth. But within the frame of the text, they are talking about earth - the transcendent dimension of which remains implied not stated. It is "absorbed into the story and the symbolism," as Tolkien says - and that seems to me part of what leaves it so powerfully open to those who don't find the concept of heaven a useful one.