Tolkien’s Theology Of Beauty: Majesty, Splendor, And Transcendence In Middle-earth
by Lisa Coutras /
2016 / English / PDF
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In this book, Lisa Coutras explores the structure and
complexity of J.R.R. Tolkien’s narrative theology, synthesizing
his Christian worldview with his creative imagination. She
illustrates how, within the framework of a theological
aesthetics, transcendental beauty is the unifying principle that
integrates all aspects of Tolkien’s writing, from pagan despair
to Christian joy.
In this book, Lisa Coutras explores the structure and
complexity of J.R.R. Tolkien’s narrative theology, synthesizing
his Christian worldview with his creative imagination. She
illustrates how, within the framework of a theological
aesthetics, transcendental beauty is the unifying principle that
integrates all aspects of Tolkien’s writing, from pagan despair
to Christian joy.
J.R.R. Tolkien’s Christianity is often held in an unsteady
tension with the pagan despair of his mythic world. Some critics
portray these as incompatible, while Christian analysis tends to
oversimplify the presence of religious symbolism. This polarity
of opinion testifies to the need for a unifying interpretive
lens. The fact that Tolkien saw his own writing as “religious”
and “Catholic,” yet was preoccupied with pagan mythology, nature,
language, and evil, suggests that these areas were wholly
integrated with his Christian worldview.
J.R.R. Tolkien’s Christianity is often held in an unsteady
tension with the pagan despair of his mythic world. Some critics
portray these as incompatible, while Christian analysis tends to
oversimplify the presence of religious symbolism. This polarity
of opinion testifies to the need for a unifying interpretive
lens. The fact that Tolkien saw his own writing as “religious”
and “Catholic,” yet was preoccupied with pagan mythology, nature,
language, and evil, suggests that these areas were wholly
integrated with his Christian worldview.Tolkien’s
Theology of Beauty
Tolkien’s
Theology of Beauty examines six structural elements,
demonstrating that the author’s Christianity is deeply embedded
in the narrative framework of his creative imagination.
examines six structural elements,
demonstrating that the author’s Christianity is deeply embedded
in the narrative framework of his creative imagination.
