Book Review: The Messiah Comes to Middle Earth

The Messiah Comes to Middle Earth. Philip Ryken. 2017. Intervarsity Press. 150 pages. [Source: Review copy]

Philip Ryken gave a series of lectures on J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings. The lectureship series was the Hansen Lectureship at the Wade Center. The Wade Collection at Wheaton College focuses on the works of seven British authors: C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, Dorothy Sayers, George MacDonald, G.K. Chesterton, Charles Williams, and Owen Barfield.

In The Messiah Comes to Middle Earth, Ryken explores how there "are really three main Christ figures in The Lord of the Rings, and each one echoes a different aspect of the work of Christ—what theologians call his “threefold office” as prophet, priest, and king." Symbolizing Christ as a prophet, we have Gandalf. Symbolizing Christ as a priest, we have Frodo (and Sam). Symbolizing Christ as king, we have Aragorn. There is a chapter dedicated to each Christ-figure. Ryken pulls together several things: Tolkien's text, the church fathers' writings on Christ's role as prophet, priest, and kind, and Scripture itself. In addition, Ryken makes a case for relevance and application. How are Christians--leaders, pastors, believers--to live as prophets, priests, and kings? For example, he writes, "According to our various callings, we all have some responsibility to speak prophetic words, offer priestly service, and exercise kingly authority."

Quotes:

• Tolkien coined the word eucatastrophe—the good catastrophe—to express the reality of “a sudden and miraculous grace.” 
• There are three primary forms of leadership in Old Testament Israel: prophet, priest, and king. To observe how these leaders operate and interact is to understand in many ways God’s purposes for his people.
• “It is I suppose impossible,” Tolkien confided to W. H. Auden, “to write any ‘story’ that is not allegorical in proportion as it ‘comes to life.’ Since each of us is an allegory, embodying in a particular tale and clothed in the garments of time and place, universal truth and everlasting life.”
• Gandalf teaches us not to be afraid to say what needs to be said, even in the face of opposition. A prophet always speaks the truth, according to circumstance. There is a time to encourage but also a time to correct; a time to warn as well as a time to console. Thus a prophet’s words are not always welcome. Indeed, Jesus was mocked in his prophetic office right up to his crucifixion. Some of his tormentors spat in his face, slapped him, and said, “Prophesy to us, you Christ! Who is it that struck you?” (Mt 26:68). Yet in his dying hours he continued to speak the truth, using his very cross as a pulpit. So too when we are called to speak the truth, we should speak it forthrightly, as Jesus did, and as Gandalf did, to both friends and enemies.
• Sam’s steadfast commitment to Frodo helps us understand something vitally important about hobbits and about ourselves. Hobbits were never meant to bear their burdens alone; they only fulfill their purpose when they journey together. 
• If Gandalf, Frodo, and Aragorn remind us in various ways of Jesus Christ, it is not because the novelist had this explicitly in mind. It is rather because a biblical worldview so thoroughly penetrated his imagination that inevitably it pervaded his literary art. 
• Our lives—and therefore our art—tell a story about eternal truth. So when Tolkien, for example, had one of his characters bear a heavy burden for the sake of a kingdom, it was only natural for the author to portray the burden shared by a fellowship of love that calls to mind the priesthood of all believers. 
• The most priest-like character in The Lord of the Rings is Frodo Baggins, but not Frodo alone: in their deep bonds of friendship, Frodo, Sam, and the other hobbits provide us with images of Christian priesthood. 
• Apart from Jesus Christ, we are so weak that we can do nothing—literally, nothing ( Jn 15:5). Yet every one of his followers carries his name and his calling. As we offer God our humble service, we are ennobled. The priesthood of all believers thus dignifies the daily life and ministry of ordinary Christians. 

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible