June 18, 2002

Re: Christian 'Mythology'
Havalyn N.

First of all, I found your essay to be accurate, but somewhat shortsighted. Whether or not Tolkien was a Christian, you must remember that a writer's beliefs always appear in his work, especially when the work is fiction. The fact that the creation of middle earth and the Genesis creation account are so similar is only because of Tolkiens world view. I don't believe that he was preaching, it is only that he was looking at the world around him, as well as his imaginary world, with the eyes of someone who believes in the word of God. It is not just Christians who write and create with a defined world view. It is obvious that Gene Roddenbury, the creator of Star Trek, although perhaps not meaning to influence us with his outlook, very obviously inserted his beliefs into his work. His personal thoughts on Evolution and the purpose of mankind stand out quite clearly in all of the movies and most of the Television episodes. I don't think that Tolkien was trying to write an allegory, although I do find his work inspiring to my own Christian walk. In short, Can't it be said that any honest work is a testimony to what the author believes in?