10 J.R.R. Tolkien Quotes That Remind Us Of Scripture
Photo by Vincent M.A. Janssen
Have you ever had the experience of reading something that impresses you as being so right, so lovely that you can feel it in your bones? The words kindle an epiphany of sorts, a real moment of bright, piercing clarity. You wish you could capture that flash of knowing so you could share it and savor it again and again.
Theology and philosophy can elicit such noteworthy experiences. Literature can also inspire them, literature that contains timeless messages permeated by the eternal qualities of truth, beauty, and goodness, artistically distilled into a great story.
One such relatively contemporary tale is J.R.R. Tolkien’s fantasy masterpiece, The Lord of the Rings. This trilogy chronicles the quest of a fellowship of hobbits, elves, dwarfs, men, and the wizard Gandalf to release their world of Middle Earth from a tyrannical evil symbolized in the Ring of Power.
This modern epic is imbued with glimmers of the transcendent and divine, and since the beliefs of an author always color his or her work, it follows that Tolkien seemingly must have been a man of faith.
Indeed, a cursory look at Tolkien’s life shows that this Oxford don and creative genius was a devout Roman Catholic. He is widely known to have influenced his friend C.S. Lewis’ conversion to Christianity. Moreover, though Norse mythology had its role in the composition of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, Tolkien’s Christian faith, by his own admission, was infused into his writing.
He states, “The Lord of the Rings is of course a fundamentally religious and Catholic work; unconsciously so at first, but consciously in the revision. That is why I have not put in, or have cut out, practically all references to anything like ‘religion,’ to cults or practices, in the imaginary world. For the religious element is absorbed into the story and the symbolism.”
Two noted examples of this symbolism are the hobbits’ lembas bread representing the Eucharist and the main characters Frodo, Gandalf, and Aragorn together representing Christ’s three roles as Priest, Prophet, and King.
Clearly, Tolkien’s stories possess a spark of the essential light that is the truth, beauty, and goodness of God to which all people are called. Tolkien says, “We have come from God and inevitably the myths woven by us, though they contain error, will also reflect a splintered fragment of the true light, the eternal truth that is with God.”
Though Tolkien’s saga is undoubtedly imprinted with marks of his Catholic faith, all people, not only learned Catholics, can enjoy and benefit from it. Its extensive appeal and perennial popularity prove that it is also “catholic” in the sense of being unlimited. It’s a source of enjoyment and reflection for many different types of people. His books can be savored on multiple levels: as an incredible adventure story, as an astonishing work of world-building or “sub-creation” as Tolkien phrased it, or as something bearing a message of deep and eternal import.
Arguably, if the reader is alert and looking, Tolkien’s faith-filled outlook can be detected in many apparently Biblical influences on his writing.
Below are 13 Scripture verses, each paired with a Tolkien quote that I personally thought mirrored or connected with the verse in some way. I am certainly no theologian or Tolkien scholar, but I hope these selections inspire you to a richer reading and deeper appreciation of his writing.
Quote 01
In both of these passages, a character, namely Esther and Frodo, are wondering about their place in the grand scheme of things. They lament the sorrows and difficulties that have fallen upon their respective worlds. They grapple with the reality that the time and place of their birth is beyond their control but that they can and must decide to accept the parts they must play in the lives they’ve been given: Esther as queen and savior of her Hebrew people, Frodo as the Ring-bearer.
We can learn that same lesson. We might struggle with the tasks and challenges of our own lives and of the world at large. We might wish for a seemingly better or easier day and age, but eventually we must recognize that God created us intentionally for the time and place in which we live, and we should embrace the roles we’ve been given. His plan is loving and trustworthy.
Quote 02
In other words: do we have our priorities in order? Do we place our relationships with God and with our families and friends above the constant pursuit of the latest technology or fanciest home? Are we concerned with developing our characters, being people of integrity and virtue, or are we solely focused on “getting ahead” in this world? Do we slow down long enough to pray, to eat a nourishing meal, to celebrate each other’s achievements and enjoy each other’s company? If we can do these things, we will have more peace and happiness in our lives.
Quote 03
Love and goodness are infinite. When it seems like the future is bleak or that evil is winning in the world, these quotes can urge us to remember the power of love and goodness to heal, reconcile, and give hope.
Quote 04
A true friend isn’t only a friend when it’s convenient or useful to him or her. A true friend supports you in hard times and rejoices with you in good times. Let’s hope that we all have such steadfast friends and that we ourselves are steadfast to others.
Quote 05
Both of these Scripture verses seem to fit Gandalf’s statement regarding the fate of the pitiable character Gollum, who is obsessed with the Ring of Power. All three of the passages convey the message that our knowledge and ability to perceive or control a situation is limited. Only God is all-knowing and can see the bigger picture and the bigger plan. What seems unfair or confusing to us may have a purpose we cannot know until later. We should not be blindly confident in our own wisdom.
Quote 06
This humorous Tolkien quote is obviously more light-hearted than the Proverbs verse. However, I’d argue that they are still compatible.
How often do we set about checking items off our to-do list when something unexpected occurs and our schedule is upended, only for us to realize that the interruption actually guided us to do exactly what needed doing?
How many times do we have ideas and plans for our lives but an apparently random happenstance, a person we meet, a class we take, an experience we have, puts us on a completely different and more fulfilling path?
In all these scenarios, whether big or small, we start out aiming for one thing yet are led to find something else.
Quote 07
This is one of my favorite Scripture verses and one of my favorite Tolkien quotes because they both offer so much hope. St. John’s words at the beginning of his Gospel remind us that Jesus’ Light is inextinguishable. Tolkien movingly describes how Sam draws strength from the beautiful star when his spirit and body are weary from the journey with Frodo to destroy the Ring of Power at Mount Doom. In a world that often feels irreparably broken and increasingly dark, we are assured that Light will have the final victory.
Quote 08
We should trust others. It is good to do so. However, we must be prudent in placing our trust. The truth is that we need to be on guard against those in the public sphere and in our private lives who can do us spiritual, emotional, or even bodily harm by telling us what we want to hear to our own detriment or who make wonderful promises that they never intend to keep. As the old adage goes, “actions speak louder than words.”
Quote 09
I’m cheating a bit with this example as the Lord of the Rings quote isn’t actually in the books, but the sentiment it expresses certainly seems like one with which Tolkien would agree.
The world’s definition of power is not the “be all, end all” of life. Many times it’s those we least expect (maybe even ourselves) who are the instruments by which God does marvelous things, both large and small. Think of Mary, “the lowly handmaid of the Lord.” It was through her, a young obscure girl, that Christ was given to the world.
In our everyday lives, a helpful gesture, a smile, or a kind word can encourage another person who then passes that goodness on to another and another. The ripple effect can be vast and wide, and we likely will not even know the full impact caused by this humble chain of loving actions. Yet it is there and God can see it.
Quote 10
We have three Scripture verses to accompany Gandalf’s compassionate words. Jesus wept at the grave of His friend Lazarus as well as over the rebellious city of Jerusalem. Sam, Merry, and Pippin weep when Frodo departs for the Grey Havens. Heartfelt tears are a sign of love and of the importance of the person, relationship, or experience for which we grieve. But we also have the reassurance that sorrows and tears will ultimately be banished by inexpressible joy.
In short…
J.R.R. Tolkien leaves us an extraordinary literary and spiritual legacy in his writing, particularly in The Lord of the Rings. I daresay he would be very humbled and gratified if his words prompted readers to a deeper relationship with God and to a revived contemplation of Scripture.
For further reading about Tolkien and his faith:
Articles:
The Catholic origins of The Lord of the Rings and other truths about J.R.R. Tolkien
Tolkien’s Faith and Middle-earth: The Many-Layered Meaning of March 25
Books:
Tolkien’s Faith: A Spiritual Biography by Holly Ordway
Tolkien: Man and Myth by Joseph Pearce
