Lord of the Rings Discussion

Ellen and Chris are set to lead us in a single-session pre-retreat conversation on Monday night, October 13 (the Monday before the retreat) at 7PM, at the Carmichael Chapel.

Here’s the Scoop: You’ve been listening to the podcast conversations with Steve Pearson and Pastor Chris in preparation for the upcoming retreat, learning new details about Tolkien and his magnum opus (written between 1937 and 1949), and seeing Lord of the Rings through new, fresh eyes.

But do you wonder why Tolkien was thinking and writing about these things, and in the way he did, at that time? Why set the themes of power, fellowship, and personal sovereignty in the midst of an epic, mythic story full of powerful, terrifying creatures and the smallest, most unlikely heroes? Why was it important for Tolkien to devise new languages for his characters? Why did rings resonate as symbols of power and desire? And why situate an all-seeing eye in the tower in the dark heart of Mordor?

Join pastors Ellen and Chris for an interactive session as we delve deeper into Tolkien the person through and take a look at some insights into his historical and cultural context— with a bit of musicology thrown in for good measure. There’ll be lots of opportunities for discussion. It’s not a prerequisite for the retreat, but it will be a wonderful and fun way to ponder and discuss the movies (and novels if you’ve read them), as we look forward to the upcoming retreat weekend.