At The Movies - The Lord of the Rings
We are so excited to bring you a series that we absolutely love being able to be apart of each year - the ‘At the Movies’ series seeks to bring out biblical truths through looking at Hollywood movies and seeing what great principles we can find! The movies always have a wide range of appeals - some are classic and some are very new to the big screen! Unfortunately, due to copyright concerns, we are not able to stream the service for this series; we encourage those who are comfortable to join us in-person for the Gathering - otherwise, we hope these blog posts will give you the life and truth that you desire!
Our first week into the series we dived into The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring - a grand tale of adventure and moral dilemma surrounding the fate of the land and the temptation of great power. If you have not seen this work, we encourage you to watch it; it is quite long, however, especially if you want the full experience of all the associated movies. Regardless, over the years, there have been several debates about whether or not the series is an allegory for Christianity. Do the characters of Middle-Earth represent different Biblical people? Did Tolkien set out to captivate people with the message of salvation through a story about a Hobbit? According to Tolkien himself, the answer is no. That wasn’t what he was trying to do. Tolkien repeatedly denied that actually. He eventually relented and was quoted as saying “The Lord of the Rings is, of course, a fundamentally religious and Christian work; unconsciously so at first, but consciously in the revision.”
There are four main themes that were explored in various clips - use these to follow along as you watch the film yourself!
The Trap of Temptation
The Value of Community
The Impact of the Ordinary
The Ultimate Triumph of Good
Pastor Robbie began saying, ‘There are so many Biblical themes to be found in this film, as well as the whole saga, but for time’s sake today, we’ll just focus on four. Each week, we’ll take a different approach to the films we’ll do by the way. Some might be a shotgun spray of different themes found in the movie (like today), some might a single consistent theme that is found throughout the film, some might even be focusing on a character in the movie and what Biblical teachings could come from their role. Today: themes.
The first of these themes is The Trap of Temptation:
In The Lord of the Rings, the Ring represents evil. And everyone in the story knows this. But throughout the entire epic, even the good characters struggle with the temptation to use the power of the ring for themselves. Not even Gandalf or the Elfish princess Galadriel is exempt from the temptation of the Ring. Victory over temptation becomes difficult when sin becomes precious.
Temptation promises what you crave most, but it takes what you can’t afford. In the Word of God, James describes it like this: “But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin, when it is fully grown, brings forth death.” (James 1:14-15)
Temptation warns you that evil is nearby, in the case of Frodo, we see that he wields a sword that lets him know when Orcs (the dangerous ones) are nearby. But how often, church, do you and I ignore the warning signs that evil is nearby? How often do we feel tempted, but we ignore that feeling or even enjoy it? Temptation is not evil in and of itself, but it signals that we’re headed for evil.
The second of these themes is The Value of Community:
One of the biggest themes, not just in this movie, but in the movies after it and the Hobbit movies that precede it, is friendship, camaraderie, community. And I would argue that this is one of the key themes in the Bible and that’s meant for us as believers.
We see that as believers we can help share the load with others; We can hold each other accountable in the face of temptation; We can give each other hope in this fallen world.
While one of us alone may not be able to withstand the weight of life, together we can prevail. The Lord brings people together that would never have even crossed paths because they each bring different things to the table that can love and support the other, we are a part of a larger body, and church whether you are introverted or extroverted, whether you are an enneagram 9 or 4, we NEED each other. If we want to run the race well and cross the finish line, we need other people to pray for us, to come alongside us, to challenge us, ultimately, to share the load. (Ecclesiastes 4:12)
The third of these themes is The Impact of the Ordinary:
In this group we have a wise and powerful Wizard, we have a hard-fisted ax-wielding dwarf, we have the handsome, mysterious swashbuckling prince, we have the graceful, swift, and noble Elf, we have a rugged, brave warrior, and then we have four little hobbits. Who would you choose to bear the ring? Frodo wouldn’t have been my first choice. But this boyish little Hobbit is the hero in the story. In fact, it’s almost a joke. I mean, how ridiculous given all the available options to give the ring to Frodo! And as the saga goes on, the heroics continue to come from the most unlikely of sources. The ‘ordinary’ are still able to do the extraordinary.
Somebody needs to hear this today, your potential does not rest in who you are, it rests in who God is. He can do incredibly more than you could ever ask or think. He’s the God who makes the impossible possible. (1 John 4:4; Phil. 4:13)
The fourth and last of these themes is The Ultimate Triumph of Good:
See, we were only meant to use the first movie today, but I had to throw this in because it’s too good not to. But in the last movie, Frodo and his companions are successful in destroying the ring. In the end, they will win; Good will triumph over evil. You know what? That’s a theme I find in my own life, too. Regardless of what difficulties I may encounter, regardless of how hopeless things may seem, I know that I’m on the winning side. I know that in the end God will prevail over all the darkness and I have an unshakable hope in an eternity spent with Him.
That is the hope for me and every other believer who has placed their faith and trust in Jesus Christ. In the end, we win; Good, will ultimately triumph. So no matter what junk we have to endure for this present age, there is a time coming when all of that will be swept away and we will be left standing in the presence of Almighty God. And what a day, glorious day that will be! (1 Cor. 15:16-22)
SOME KEY TAKE-AWAYS
At The Movies - The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring - A timeless tale of uncommon triumph and companionship; if you haven’t seen this excellent work (and all the other surrounding films, we highly recommend taking the time to watch them!
Main Scripture Passages: James 1:14-15; Ecclesiastes 4:12; 1 John 4:4; Phil. 4:13; 1 Cor. 15:16-22
The Trap of Temptation: Temptation is apart of our world, and it has some nasty consequences when given-in to; it claims to be good but is only in disguise!
The Value of Community: In light of the difficulties of temptation and the desire to do Good, being in community with other believers is incredibly important - we are to look out for one another as we seek a closer relationship with God.
The Impact of the Ordinary: We all have a part to play in this world; the role of the average person is quite literally unique—to come together in community, to seek the Good of the Kingdom of God!
The Ultimate Triumph of Good: ‘Good’ will ultimately triumph. So no matter what junk we have to endure for this present age, there is a time coming when all of that will be swept away and we will be left standing in the presence of Almighty God.
If this topic piques your interest or if you would enjoy listening to this sermon in more depth, check out Legacy City’s Podcast, available here, or on Spotify and Itunes. (Sermons will not be posted from 10/4-11/1)
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Join us next Sunday as we continue to meet at the Premiere Cinema 10 at 10 am!
We hope that you and your family are well—know that You Are Loved!