So how might it be claimed that The Hobbit is a Christian story? The Hobbit: an essentially Christian story? A TORn Library feature by Devin Brown Professor of English, Asbury UniversityĪuthor of The Christian World of The Hobbitįirst off, we have the author’s own statements - though not many of them. Lewis, loved to read aloud with the circle of friends that later grew into their famous writing group, the Inklings. We find no mention of God in The Hobbit, no prayers, Bibles, churches, priests, or ministers - none of the things typically associated with the Christian faith.įans also know Tolkien was a Professor of Anglo-Saxon and that his writings were influenced by the myths of Northern Europe which he and his friend, C. In addition, at first glance Middle-earth seems a particularly non-religious place. English professors have been known to find all sorts of things in books which the authors never put there.

Readers who are skeptical after seeing the title of this piece have a right to be.

Religion in middle earth