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A Hobbit, A Wardrobe, and a Great War...
Posted: Tue Jul 14, 2026 9:34 am
by Jazman
Has anyone here read this book? A Hobbit, A Wardrobe, and a Great War: How J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis Rediscovered Faith, Friendship, and Heroism in the Cataclysm of 1914-18
I've started it and so far am enjoying learning the context and backstory behind the famous stories Tolkien and Lewis wrote. My children are at the age that they are interested in these and have heard/read some of them (Narnia / Lord of the Rings).
I'm also enjoying the examination of the myths and failures of 'progress' / progressivism and simultaneously the myths / failures / dangers of muscular Christianity, christian nationalism / patriotic-warrior Christianity / church sponsored statism... etc.
Early 1900's don't sound all that different than 2026... similar challenges, similar arguments/bad theology, similar syncretism going on in the Church...
So far a lot of description; we'll see if the book offers some prescriptions...
Re: A Hobbit, A Wardrobe, and a Great War...
Posted: Tue Jul 14, 2026 10:42 am
by Valerie
Jazman wrote: ↑Tue Jul 14, 2026 9:34 am
Has anyone here read this book?
A Hobbit, A Wardrobe, and a Great War: How J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis Rediscovered Faith, Friendship, and Heroism in the Cataclysm of 1914-18
I've started it and so far am enjoying learning the context and backstory behind the famous stories Tolkien and Lewis wrote. My children are at the age that they are interested in these and have heard/read some of them (Narnia / Lord of the Rings).
I'm also enjoying the examination of the myths and failures of 'progress' / progressivism and simultaneously the myths / failures / dangers of muscular Christianity, christian nationalism / patriotic-warrior Christianity / church sponsored statism... etc.
Early 1900's don't sound all that different than 2026... similar challenges, similar arguments/bad theology, similar syncretism going on in the Church...
So far a lot of description; we'll see if the book offers some prescriptions...
My son enjoyed both authors long ago. Would you recommend this book to someone who is leaning towards agnostic or unbelief presently, as might it help or hurt their “faith” (or lack of).
Re: A Hobbit, A Wardrobe, and a Great War...
Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2026 9:00 am
by JayP
Tolkien’s writing is obviously influenced by his Christian beliefs and the themes of TLOR are obviously based on them. The entire issue of the ring is about sacrifice and temptation.
But I do not think Tolkien is necessarily helpful per se to developing one’s Christian belief. Lewis on the other hand more directly addresses issues of belief, Christian thoughts, and development of spirituality.
Between then Lewis is the far better recommendation for specifically growing in Christianity
That said, TLOR is a far better work than say Narnia. Narnia is good but I would consider it juvenile literature. Really good juvenile lit, but really for young folk
Re: A Hobbit, A Wardrobe, and a Great War...
Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2026 12:07 pm
by Jazman
Valerie wrote: ↑Tue Jul 14, 2026 10:42 am
Jazman wrote: ↑Tue Jul 14, 2026 9:34 am
Has anyone here read this book?
A Hobbit, A Wardrobe, and a Great War: How J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis Rediscovered Faith, Friendship, and Heroism in the Cataclysm of 1914-18
I've started it and so far am enjoying learning the context and backstory behind the famous stories Tolkien and Lewis wrote. My children are at the age that they are interested in these and have heard/read some of them (Narnia / Lord of the Rings).
I'm also enjoying the examination of the myths and failures of 'progress' / progressivism and simultaneously the myths / failures / dangers of muscular Christianity, christian nationalism / patriotic-warrior Christianity / church sponsored statism... etc.
Early 1900's don't sound all that different than 2026... similar challenges, similar arguments/bad theology, similar syncretism going on in the Church...
So far a lot of description; we'll see if the book offers some prescriptions...
My son enjoyed both authors long ago. Would you recommend this book to someone who is leaning towards agnostic or unbelief presently, as might it help or hurt their “faith” (or lack of).
I think I'd recommend it. It's a lot of biography / history, so the religious/faith teaching is not as direct (at least so far... I'm about half way) but I think it does subtly critique a modernist/autonomous/godless/disenchanted existence and/or the overreliance on material/tech solutions to life's problems. But it also raises issues of the problem of evil and that's often a struggle for agnostics/skeptics. (I still struggle with that issue! even though I believe / have faith that it doesn't cancel God's existence or benevolence). I'm expecting some discussion of the problem of evil, but haven't read it yet, if there is. Hope that helps.
Re: A Hobbit, A Wardrobe, and a Great War...
Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2026 12:46 pm
by barnhart
Jazzman, I enjoy both writers and appreciate the themes they highlight such as the value of courage and the thinness of a de-enchanted modern world view. The temptation I see in them is to map the struggle of good and evil onto people, culture and nation and soon enough it will seem like the right thing is to fight or eliminate your Muslim, secular, corrupt, neighbor rather than love and serve them as Jesus said.
When white supremacists or Christian Nationalists or Christians who think fondly of the crusades read and enjoy the same authors I do, it gives me pause.
Re: A Hobbit, A Wardrobe, and a Great War...
Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2026 1:03 pm
by JohnH
barnhart wrote: ↑Wed Jul 15, 2026 12:46 pm
Jazzman, I enjoy both writers and appreciate the themes they highlight such as the value of courage and the thinness of a de-enchanted modern world view. The temptation I see in them is to map the struggle of good and evil onto people, culture and nation and soon enough it will seem like the right thing is to fight or eliminate your Muslim, secular, corrupt, neighbor rather than love and serve them as Jesus said.
When white supremacists or Christian Nationalists or Christians who think fondly of the crusades read and enjoy the same authors I do, it gives me pause.
This seems analogous to being pro-cigarette smoking because the Third Reich conducted the world's first anti-cigarette campaigns.
Re: A Hobbit, A Wardrobe, and a Great War...
Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2026 11:11 pm
by Valerie
Jazman wrote: ↑Wed Jul 15, 2026 12:07 pm
Valerie wrote: ↑Tue Jul 14, 2026 10:42 am
Jazman wrote: ↑Tue Jul 14, 2026 9:34 am
Has anyone here read this book?
A Hobbit, A Wardrobe, and a Great War: How J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis Rediscovered Faith, Friendship, and Heroism in the Cataclysm of 1914-18
I've started it and so far am enjoying learning the context and backstory behind the famous stories Tolkien and Lewis wrote. My children are at the age that they are interested in these and have heard/read some of them (Narnia / Lord of the Rings).
I'm also enjoying the examination of the myths and failures of 'progress' / progressivism and simultaneously the myths / failures / dangers of muscular Christianity, christian nationalism / patriotic-warrior Christianity / church sponsored statism... etc.
Early 1900's don't sound all that different than 2026... similar challenges, similar arguments/bad theology, similar syncretism going on in the Church...
So far a lot of description; we'll see if the book offers some prescriptions...
My son enjoyed both authors long ago. Would you recommend this book to someone who is leaning towards agnostic or unbelief presently, as might it help or hurt their “faith” (or lack of).
I think I'd recommend it. It's a lot of biography / history, so the religious/faith teaching is not as direct (at least so far... I'm about half way) but I think it does subtly critique a modernist/autonomous/godless/disenchanted existence and/or the overreliance on material/tech solutions to life's problems. But it also raises issues of the problem of evil and that's often a struggle for agnostics/skeptics. (I still struggle with that issue! even though I believe / have faith that it doesn't cancel God's existence or benevolence). I'm expecting some discussion of the problem of evil, but haven't read it yet, if there is. Hope that helps.
Thank you Jazman, it definitely helps!
Re: A Hobbit, A Wardrobe, and a Great War...
Posted: Thu Jul 16, 2026 6:06 am
by Jazman
barnhart wrote: ↑Wed Jul 15, 2026 12:46 pm
Jazzman, I enjoy both writers and appreciate the themes they highlight such as the value of courage and the thinness of a de-enchanted modern world view. The temptation I see in them is to map the struggle of good and evil onto people, culture and nation and soon enough it will seem like the right thing is to fight or eliminate your Muslim, secular, corrupt, neighbor rather than love and serve them as Jesus said.
When white supremacists or Christian Nationalists or Christians who think fondly of the crusades read and enjoy the same authors I do, it gives me pause.
Yes, good point to keep in mind. There is a hero-in-battle vibe in this book... which could provide some fodder for some with militant aspirations... So as with any book, read with caution; read through a Christo-centric lenses; sift with the NT / Sermon on the Mt in hand...
Re: A Hobbit, A Wardrobe, and a Great War...
Posted: Fri Jul 17, 2026 8:15 am
by JoyE
One problem I have with the LWW is that the lion was paying the sacrifice to the witch. The analogy fails to portray Christ, whose sacrifice was to God the Father, not to Satan. Major doctrinal fallacy.
Re: A Hobbit, A Wardrobe, and a Great War...
Posted: Fri Jul 17, 2026 9:08 am
by barnhart
JoyE wrote: ↑Fri Jul 17, 2026 8:15 am
One problem I have with the LWW is that the lion was paying the sacrifice to the witch. The analogy fails to portray Christ, whose sacrifice was to God the Father, not to Satan. Major doctrinal fallacy.
Maybe. But from another point of view the witch thought she was being paid but in reality the sacrifice was to engage the "deeper magic" of resurrection and redemption. In the end her payment was only the momentary pleasure of the sacrifice, immediately after she lost everything she was reaching for.