The Messiah Comes to Middle-Earth - (The Hansen) by Philip Ryken (Paperback)

About the Book

Can The Lord of the Rings help us understand the Christian faith more deeply? From the inaugural Hansen Lecture, Wheaton College president Philip Ryken mines the riches of Tolkien's theological imagination. In the characters of Gandalf, Frodo, and Aragorn, Ryken hears echoes of the one who is the true prophet, priest, and king, considering what that threefold office means for the calling of all Christians.

Book Synopsis

"... Ryken shows how profoundly Tolkien's imagination was shaped by Jesus Christ himself, revealing the rich theological insights we can receive from the great tales if we are attentive to them. This book is a treat, filled with surprises." - Tim Keller

How can we grasp the significance of what Jesus Christ did for us? Might literature help us as we seek to understand the Christian faith?

J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings has generated much discussion about the relationship between Christianity and literature. It is well known that Tolkien disliked allegory. Yet he acknowledged that his work is imbued with Christian symbolism and meaning.

Based on the inaugural Hansen Lecture delivered by Philip Ryken, this volume mines the riches of Tolkien's theological imagination. In the characters of Gandalf, Frodo, and Aragorn, Ryken hears echoes of the threefold office of Christ--his prophetic, priestly, and royal roles. Guided by Ryken, readers will discover that they can learn much about the one who is the true prophet, priest, and king through Tolkien's imaginative storytelling.

About the Series

The Hansen Series celebrates the literary and spiritual contributions of seven British authors whose works have captivated readers across generations: Owen Barfield, G. K. Chesterton, C. S. Lewis, George MacDonald, Dorothy L. Sayers, J. R. R. Tolkien, and Charles Williams. These seven authors were all deeply involved in the friendships and intellectual exchanges that shaped the Inklings, a mid-twentieth-century group of Christian writers and thinkers in Oxford, England. This series invites readers to deepen their engagement with these timeless voices and their enduring influence on literature, faith, and the life of the imagination.

Review Quotes

"The Messiah Comes to Middle Earth is a great way to teach Tolkien-familiar students about Christ's threefold office as Prophet, Priest, and King."

"In The Messiah Comes to Middle-Earth, Philip Ryken develops the notion that the presence of Christ in The Lord of the Rings follows a traditional tripartite form: prophet, priest, and king. Showing particularly how Tolkien develops this form through Gandalf, Frodo, and Aragorn, Ryken adeptly demonstrates that a knowledge of theology and Middle-Earth mutually illuminate Tolkien's texts. The plausibility of the book's thesis is also enhanced through responses from other notable scholars, including Sandra Richter, Jennifer Powell McNutt, and William Struthers. This book is recommended for all who wish to enhance their understanding of the Christian theology that undergirds the entertaining fantasy of Tolkien's Middle-Earth."

"Phil Ryken brings his creative genius to bear on the beautiful work of Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. Utilizing the threefold office of prophet, priest, and king, Dr. Ryken invites us to see in Gandalf (prophet), Frodo (priest), and Aragorn (king) image bearers like ourselves, who, in facing the haunting realities of their own existence, draw us into a deeper understanding and reflection on our own life with God. Utilizing his own mastery of English literature combined with his wide access to and conversation with the best of biblical scholarship, Phil has crafted a real treasure that will both nourish and inspire you. Enjoy the read."

"Ryken shows how Tolkien's powerful narratives can lead to wise and heart-felt application."

"Ryken's smoothly written and highly accessible book...is well researched and effectively organized, and it provides a fresh perspective on The Lord of the Rings that highlights both its subtle Christian message and its flexible applicability to the challenges and dangers of our modern (and postmodern) world."

About the Author

Philip Ryken (DPhil, Oxford) is the eighth president of Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois. He formerly served as the senior pastor of Tenth Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia. He is the author or editor of more than forty books, including The Message of Salvation, Art for God's Sake, and When Trouble Comes.