Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings - CHRISTIAN OR CULTIC?

[other one]

Just now, other one said:

I already did in the wall of text you seem to be bothered with  LoL

Oh, and I thought it was rather humorous also.

[MrBear]

1 hour ago, other one said:

 

http://www.frmaniyangathealingministry.com/UserFiles/NewsPdf/9f7c07339fb74d14a12e05128bb07704.pdf

The Effects of Harry Potter Most people have an opinion on the Harry Potter phenomenon. Some Christians think he is harmless; others do not. I would like to share with you some research which reveals the effect of Potter on some of our teens. A Christian organization called the Barna Group has interviewed 4,370 teens in the U.S. from age 13 to 18 on the Potter series and their involvement in other aspects of the occult. Their findings are alarming. They have discovered that 84% or four out of every five teens polled have personally read or watched Potter. 77% of these are church-going teens. Despite the widespread exposure to Potter, only 4% have received any teachings or discussions about this subject in a church. The vast majority found it to be just a “fun to read” story. However, ONE OUT OF EVERY 8 TEENS (12%) SAID THE POTTER SERIES INCREASED THEIR INTEREST IN WITCHCRAFT. If this sample is applied to the general population, it would translate to millions of teens. The Barna report states, “The most common types of witchcraft behaviors were using a Ouija board and reading a book about witchcraft or Wicca, each of which had been done by more than one-third of the teenagers. More than one-quarter of teens have played a game featuring sorcery or witchcraft elements. One tenth of teens had participated in a séance and 1 out of 12 had tried to cast a spell or mix a magic potion.” This is alarming because doing witchcraft or using a Ouija board can put the teen in direct contact with evil spirits, according to Fr. Amorth, the Vatican exorcist. Amorth has also said, “Behind Harry Potter hides the signature of the king of darkness, the devil.” In addition, the teens may not realize that these practices are gravely sinful. The Bible explains this very clearly in Deut.18:10. It states “Let there not be found among you anyone who immolates his son or daughter in the fire, nor a fortune-teller, soothsayer, charmer, diviner, or caster of spells, nor one who consults ghosts and spirits or seeks oracles from the dead. Anyone who does such things is an abomination to the Lord, and because of such abominations, the Lord your God is driving these nations out of your way.” Since this cute little wizard is doing white witchcraft, he would be an abomination to the Lord in real life. The Potter books send a confusing message to children. Of the teens who found it “fun to read”, they too have been affected. They have been exposed to and de-sensitized to some of the most sinful and forbidden practices that exist, thinking them to be completely harmless. Testimony from an ex-Teen Witch High school student, Jordan Fuchs, testified at a school hearing in Gwinnett County, Ga. in April 2006 that the Potter books had a bad influence on her and her friends in middle school. Her teachers had encouraged the students to read the books. She states in her testimony, “After reading the first book, many of my classmates decided that we wanted to learn more about witchcraft. While at school we looked up witchcraft on the internet. We looked up 2 how to become a witch and how to perform the Craft. To us the Harry Potter books had made witchcraft seem mystical, exciting, and innocent”. She then stated, “We continued to search for info on how to perform spells, curses, potions, hexes and vexes just like Harry.” After practicing witchcraft, she said she became “an angry, bitter, depressed, vengeful, manipulative, disobedient, rebellious person.” She had become so depressed that she set out to kill herself. Fortunately, she had confided in a friend who told her Mother who then intervened and found some help for her. However, it took her several years to get back to where she was before. Teens and other occult practices - The Barna Report also states “ As for psychic activities, more than one-fourth of teens have had their palm read (30%) or their fortune told (27%). Other psychic deeds included being physically present when someone else used psychic powers (14%), visiting a medium or spiritual guide (9%) and consulting a psychic (9%). They also reported that “seven million teens have encountered an angel, demon, or some other supernatural being. More than two million teens say they have communicated with a dead person (10%). Nearly two million youth claim they have psychic powers.” (The Barna Update, “New Research Explores Teenage Views and Behavior Regarding the Supernatural” and “Harry Potter’s Influence Goes Unchallenged in Most Homes and Churches.” (www.barna.org) Unfortunately, there are some witch’s covens at some of the high schools in the U.S. When Moira Noonan, an ex-New Ager, was giving a conference, a lady told the audience that there was a witches’ coven at her daughter’s high school. They wore witches’ T-shirts to school. The principal objected, and the teen witches demanded the right to continue because the Christian students were wearing theirs. The principal, therefore, made the decision to allow only school spirit or school team shirts. Effects of Potter on Children -Our children have grown up in an occult-friendly world with an unusual number of cartoons, and TV programs that glorify the occult, especially magic and sorcery. In some cases, the small child learns about the occult from cartoons before he has a chance to learn about the Christian faith. In other cases, he learns all about the occult, and nothing at all about God. Pope Benedict XVI has expressed his concern about this problem when he was a Cardinal. Unfortunately, the Potter series has affected some of our elementary school children. Though the Barna Report did not interview children, we know from the stories of teachers that the Potter books have made witchcraft and occult practices very appealing to children who are far too young to sort out right from wrong in the stories. For example, an elementary school teacher in the Atlanta area told me that she has overheard children talking about casting spells on others, and had a child in her classroom casting spells on another child. She later taught in high school and overheard the same conversations. Jordan Fuchs, the teenager who testified at the Gwinnett County hearing, had included in her testimony this startling fact. She said, “I remember many children telling me that they were “hooked” into witchcraft by Harry Potter.” 3 Quotes from Children: There is a book by Sharon Moore called We love Harry Potter, We’ll tell you why. Moore interviewed children who explain why they like the series. Here are a few examples: “If I could go to wizard school, I might be able to do spells and potions and fly a broomstick.” Said Mara, 12. “It would be great to be a wizard because you could control situations and things like teachers.” Jeffrey, age 11. “I would like to go to wizard school and learn magic and put spells on people. I’d make up an ugly spell and then it’s pay-back time. Catherine, age 9. “I feel like I am inside Harry’s world. If I went to wizard school I’d study everything: spells, counter spells, and defense against the dark arts.” Carolyn, age 10. “I liked it when the bad guys killed the unicorn and Voldemort drank its blood.” Julie, age 13. Warnings from an Ex-Witch - In the 60’s a man named David J. Meyer was practicing witchcraft, astrology, and numerology. At the end of that spiritually troubled decade, was also delivered from every evil spirit that lived in me and was set free.” He is now a Pastor and is deeply concerned about the Potter series. “As a former witch, I can speak with authority when I say that I have examined the works of Rowling and that the Harry Potter books are training manuals for the occult.” Meyer also states “Through Harry’s world of sorcery they are learning what tools today’s witches and pagans use, supernatural imagination, spiritual concentration, wands, brooms, spells and curses.” He goes on to say “Harry’s world says that drinking dead animal blood gives power, a satanic human sacrifice and Harry’s powerful blood brings new life, demon possession is not spiritually dangerous, and that passing through fire, contacting the dead, and conversing with ghosts, others in the spirit world, and more, is normal and acceptable.”`(From www.harrypottermagic.org/bigdealhp2.htm) Wizardology Instructions at Book Fair A Gwinnett County teacher at a Scholastic book fair reported that they were selling a book called Wizardology alongside the Harry Potter books. It is a non-fiction book which comes with several interactive tools, including tarot cards. The book teaches spells and how to read palms. The book came to her attention when she found a group of students huddled over the book casting spells in her class! She complained about the book to the media specialist and was met with rolled eyes. However, the principal did remove the book! Books describe many murders Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince mentions 15 murders. A few examples are: • Five year old brother of Montgomery sisters – killed by Greyback because his mother would not help the Death Eaters. • Hannah Abbot’s mother – murdered by Death Eaters. Also, in the Goblet of Fire, a living person’s hand was cut off in a ritual, and it describes a child sacrifice. Chamber of Secrets describes an animal sacrifice. Is this really suitable reading for elementary school children? Report from a Counselor –A counselor in Lawrenceville, Ga. reported that many, many children have been brought in to her with various problems resulting from the reading of the Potter books. She cites case histories (no names) of children and teens suffering anxiety, fear, nightmares, insomnia, and panic attacks. One 9 year old reported something evil in her closet and objects moving. Another 13 year old was practicing Wicca (witchcraft). She was frustrated, confused, angry, and was talking to things that were not there. 4 What can a Parent Do? – It would be wise for the parents of teens and children to discuss the Potter series with their child. Find out what their attitudes are and be sure that the child or teen understands the dangers of the occult practices in real life and its terrible consequences. (Spells do go through and harm people, except for those who have a deep prayer life, according to Fr. Amorth, the Vatican exorcist.) Jordan Fuchs, the ex-teen witch became angry, bitter, depressed. She was later delivered from witchcraft by the mercy of God, but she had to rebuild her life. If a parent has a child or teen practicing witchcraft, they must seek help from a priest or a Charismatic deliverance team. Some of the signs are: the teen pulls back from her old friends; there is a dramatic change in behavior; the teen has “A Book of Shadows; an unusual amount of candle wax in their room;. (Protecting Your teen From Today’s Witchcraft, Steve Russo.) The easiest solution would be to give the children books on the Narnia Series. These are popular with children and they are not harmful. In summary, warnings about the Potter books have come from Pope Benedict XVI as Cardinal, Fr. Amorth, (the Vatican exorcist), ex-witches, teachers, parents, teens, counselors and research from the Barna group. In other conferences and publications, warnings have come from Focus on the Family, Clare Merkle and Moira Noon who are ex- New Agers. The Pagan Federation of England reports over 100 children per month calling them to inquire how they can become witches. We now see that many children have truly been harmed. THE DEBATE ON POTTER IS OVER. WE MUST NOW PRAY FOR THOSE TEENS AND CHILDREN PRACTICING WITCHCRAFT AND FOR THEIR VICTIMS. We must share this information with other parents, and ask the Lord for the courage to speak the truth about the effects of Harry Potter on our children and teens. Moira Noonan also speaks out against the Potter books at conferences. We highly recommend her book, Ransomed from Darkness. Raised as a Catholic, author Moira Noonan began apprenticeship in New Age practices and ideas as a college student. Over a 25 year time frame, she worked in Religious Science ministry, as a psychic counselor and therapist. She became certified or developed expertise in Hypnotherapy, Past Life Regression, Astrology, The Course in Miracles, Reiki, channeling, crystals, goddess spirituality, clairvoyance, and other occult practices. Then in 1993, after a series of powerful conversion experiences, she returned to the Church, and is now a popular speaker, witnessing, evangelizing, and explaining the deeper influences of the New Age movement. She has told her story via religious cable and radio stations worldwide. She has featured chapter about her conversion in Prodigal Daughters, Ignatius Press. To order articles and fact sheets by Author Anne Feaster on the New Age, call Sword of Light & Truth Ministries at 770-921l634. All articles tapes and publications from Sword of Light & Truth Ministries, Inc. are free. For further information on the New Age Movement, visit Clare Merkle’s website, crossveil.org. Videos on Merkle also available at EWTN 1-800-854-6316 or Living His Life Abundantly- 1-800-558-5452. Moira Noonan’s website is www.spirit battleforsouls.org. 5 Recommended Books The New Age Counterfeit, by Johnnette Benkovic. To order, call Living His Life Abundantly l-800-558- 5452. Also available is a tape series on New Age. Catholics and the New Age by Fr. Mitch Pacwa To order, call EWTN 1-800-854-6316 Ransomed from Darkness:The New Age,Christian Faith, and the Battle for Souls by Moira Noonan. Available at Borders, and Barnes & Noble. Or order from Amazon.com

I can definitely relate to those kids, as a teen I grew up in the heavy metal scene, bands like Iron Maiden slayer and the like were on constant rotation, we had parties in graveyards we tried the whole listening to records backwards we played with dark things I had no idea why I was consumed with nightmares and seeing what I called shadow people, my best friend was into magic I even would check books out at the library on witchcraft and was obsessed with the grim reaper for some reason

My grandmother a preachers wife and devout Christian found my witchcraft books, she flipped out and as a kid I saw no harm so I brushed it off

Later in life I would read the necronomicom, and satanic Bible girls were attracted to the “ bad boys” and I was determined to be the worst .. my curiosity as a child led down some dark places

in my 20s I was living with some bikers who did drugs constantly and random women would show up for a few days do drugs then leave one of them was into tarot cards, it was just the 2 of us alone and she brought out a deck, she was doing her shuffling and a card jumped off the table into my lap 😳

I looked at her like “ did you see that?” She said “ flip it over”, it was the DEATH CARD she said don’t worry it could just mean change is coming, death of an old self

( Looking back on it now I think the Lord was telling me he had plans for me..I hope)

I have seen many things, shadow people walk across the room, I just chalked it up to flashbacks as I was doing a lot of lsd at the time, but it always stuck with me

another time I picked up 3 hitchhikers who later turned out they broke out of a mental institution, I’m in Washington DC at 2 am as one of the guys runs around in the woods for an hour screaming he is demos lord of the demons 🤯 terrified and almost had to knock him out to get him back into my car as his friend held him down

we were messing with runes and my friend throws the bag across the room screaming “ THIS RUNE JUST JUMPED JNTO MY HAND” this guy was cool as they come from Chicago and he was freaked out !  and he never touched the runes again

hey that’s just the start I could write a book seriously 😳

My life got real dark, a couple of times I would try to take my own life but the Lord always stepped in and one fateful night after my final attempt many many years ago I found the Lord I was baptized on my birthday and the Lord made that happen, I wanted to be able to celebrate my physical birth and my spiritual birth the same day and a priest happened to be cutting his grass when my dad asked him with only 3 days left till my birthday and he said YES I WILL ( the death of my old life and birth of my new life started that day 🥰)

but it all started with my curiosity about a heavy metal album cover, I pray for these kids and adults that start down these dark paths I saw first hand the affects simple curiosity can have on minds not strong enough to resist the lure of it

SHALOM❤️
 

walloftext😂

Want to add I give God the praise and glory for seeing me through those dark times, I live my life for him and I see the blessings everyday

Edited January 3, 2022 by MrBear

[MrBear]

I also have to piggyback on my post that I think one of the most dangerous things today is the new age religious practice, people want to be accepting of everyone even those with good intentions don’t realize how dangerous this is, they may deny books, movies, music that are dark influences but are drawn to new age because they think this is accepted by God

one video that stresses the danger of this is

NEW AGE RELIGION EXPLAINED- thruthunedited

its good watch on YouTube 

SHALOM❤️

[Marathoner]

When I was a small child, after teaching myself to read by listening to and watching my mother do the same, I picked up comic books. Out of the many characters I came across, I liked "Spider-man" the most. Why? 

He was a kid with problems I could relate to. His first experience as a "hero" was to ignore a robber who stole the money of a fight promoter who did him wrong. There was a terrible consequence associated with the hero's indifference: the degenerate went to on to slay his beloved uncle. This was a defining moment for the kid with everyday problems who learned that because he possessed power, there was a responsibility associated with that power. 

A story of make-believe sewn with worthy allegories, excellent lessons for a kid to absorb. It wasn't long before I moved on to dictionaries, encyclopedias, and novels; this was when I first encountered Tolkien's sagas of Middle Earth. Once again, I found myself encountering allegories which weren't dissimilar to themes featured in those Spider-man comic books. In Tolkien's stories, some of the "good guys" were tremendously powerful but they exercised caution in using that power. This stood in contrast to the "bad guys" who were all about power: the acquisition of power, and the exercise of that power so they might dominate and control others. 

A real-world phenomenon to be certain. 

The real heroes of Tolkien's epic were the diminutive and unassuming Hobbits, people who loved tending gardens, hosting merry parties where they gave gifts to everyone else, and fostered no aspirations whatsoever to conquer Middle Earth nor oppose the Dark Lord. They were dismissed and ignored by the councils of the mighty, but there was one who possessed both the wisdom and subtlety to appreciate their true worth: Gandalf the Grey. He kept the Hobbits a closely guarded secret for the longest time so as not to attract the attention of the Dark Lord. 

It's the "little things" that matter the most, the lesson I gleaned from reading Tolkien's stories. Little things like love, modesty, humility, and good cheer even in the face of doom and horrific darkness. The heroes of Tolkien's saga embody those virtues. This made them exceptionally resilient compared to everyone else, capable of bearing the "ring of power" and seeing their mission to the very end. 

At no time was I moved nor inspired to engage in witchcraft, idolatry, or the like because I read The Lord of the Rings. 

[David1701]

On 1/1/2022 at 9:45 PM, Don19 said:

My view is, "unto the pure all things are pure." Titus 1:15. I enjoy LOTR. I enjoy other forms of entertainment in which "magic" may be featured - e.g., video games.

There is something to be said for the Bible's admonitions against sorcery, but it doesn't follow this legalistic narrative. Magicians appear, for example, as those who withstood Moses. Paul compares them (Jannes and Jambres) to those in the perilous times of the last days (2 Tim 3:1-13). And what does he say about this? He says, they have a form of godliness but deny the power thereof. Thus, I can clearly connect witchcraft spiritually to those who wield a power that is not of God. That would be, the power of your own hands: the work of your own hands, the work of your own flesh, rather than the righteousness of God. But the gospel is the power of God unto salvation for all who believe (Rom 1:16). And, the kingdom of God is not in word but in power (1 Cor 4:20). How you avoid witchcraft, spiritually, has to do with walking in the Spirit. Ultimately, all power is of God, and I am kept by the power of God.

 

Quote

There is something to be said for the Bible's admonitions against sorcery...

Something to be said?!  The only thing to be said is, "Amen!  Yes, Lord, I hate it too.".

[David1701]

1 hour ago, Marathoner said:

When I was a small child, after teaching myself to read by listening to and watching my mother do the same, I picked up comic books. Out of the many characters I came across, I liked "Spider-man" the most. Why? 

He was a kid with problems I could relate to. His first experience as a "hero" was to ignore a robber who stole the money of a fight promoter who did him wrong. There was a terrible consequence associated with the hero's indifference: the degenerate went to on to slay his beloved uncle. This was a defining moment for the kid with everyday problems who learned that because he possessed power, there was a responsibility associated with that power. 

A story of make-believe sewn with worthy allegories, excellent lessons for a kid to absorb. It wasn't long before I moved on to dictionaries, encyclopedias, and novels; this was when I first encountered Tolkien's sagas of Middle Earth. Once again, I found myself encountering allegories which weren't dissimilar to themes featured in those Spider-man comic books. In Tolkien's stories, some of the "good guys" were tremendously powerful but they exercised caution in using that power. This stood in contrast to the "bad guys" who were all about power: the acquisition of power, and the exercise of that power so they might dominate and control others. 

A real-world phenomenon to be certain. 

The real heroes of Tolkien's epic were the diminutive and unassuming Hobbits, people who loved tending gardens, hosting merry parties where they gave gifts to everyone else, and fostered no aspirations whatsoever to conquer Middle Earth nor oppose the Dark Lord. They were dismissed and ignored by the councils of the mighty, but there was one who possessed both the wisdom and subtlety to appreciate their true worth: Gandalf the Grey. He kept the Hobbits a closely guarded secret for the longest time so as not to attract the attention of the Dark Lord. 

It's the "little things" that matter the most, the lesson I gleaned from reading Tolkien's stories. Little things like love, modesty, humility, and good cheer even in the face of doom and horrific darkness. The heroes of Tolkien's saga embody those virtues. This made them exceptionally resilient compared to everyone else, capable of bearing the "ring of power" and seeing their mission to the very end. 

At no time was I moved nor inspired to engage in witchcraft, idolatry, or the like because I read The Lord of the Rings. 

And yet, Gandalf was a wizard (an abomination to the Lord).  Such a "role model" could, in many cases, encourage youngsters to find out about, and practise, witchcraft.

God kept you from that, thankfully, but we must not assume that your experience will be the same for everyone.

[Mama Etna]

3 hours ago, other one said:

I already did in the wall of text you seem to be bothered with  LoL

I found the writeup interesting.  No everyone is bothered by large posts.  Personally I spend my energy writing, so I won't be making big posts on forums.

[other one]

2 minutes ago, Mama Etna said:

I found the writeup interesting.  No everyone is bothered by large posts.  Personally I spend my energy writing, so I won't be making big posts on forums.

I don't normally.   

[B-B]

On 1/3/2022 at 10:45 PM, Marathoner said:

The real heroes of Tolkien's epic were the diminutive and unassuming Hobbits, people who loved tending gardens, hosting merry parties where they gave gifts to everyone else, and fostered no aspirations whatsoever to conquer Middle Earth nor oppose the Dark Lord. They were dismissed and ignored by the councils of the mighty, but there was one who possessed both the wisdom and subtlety to appreciate their true worth: Gandalf the Grey. He kept the Hobbits a closely guarded secret for the longest time so as not to attract the attention of the Dark Lord. 

It's the "little things" that matter the most, the lesson I gleaned from reading Tolkien's stories. Little things like love, modesty, humility, and good cheer even in the face of doom and horrific darkness. The heroes of Tolkien's saga embody those virtues. This made them exceptionally resilient compared to everyone else, capable of bearing the "ring of power" and seeing their mission to the very end

Very well expressed 😊

 

On 1/3/2022 at 10:45 PM, Marathoner said:

At no time was I moved nor inspired to engage in witchcraft, idolatry, or the like because I read The Lord of the Rings. 

Me neither 😊

[Hobie_]

On 12/30/2021 at 2:34 PM, Bawb said:

CHRISTIAN OR CULTIC?

This post will undoubtedly receive a great deal of flack because of a contrary position concerning Harry Potter from those claiming to be "Christian". Though not for the same reasons that Christians may think, the comparison and equivocation of Potter and Rings is made by the lost around us on a daily basis. The fact is that the world sees no difference in the genre of the two stories. If the world so readily sees the occult parallel why then is it so hard for Believers to figure it out?

The reason for this to be two-fold.

First is the growing disregard for the authority of Scripture within the Church. One doesn’t have to go too far to find heretics within our midst who have lost their anchor and are floating in the perilous sea of liberalism. They will certainly see no problems in the Rings story because they also find no fault in the world of the occult – yet still claim to be Christians.

Secondly, there has been a sort of occultic desensitization that has transpired in the culture over the past 50-75 years. This phenomenon has drawn millions of people to embrace “white” magic as an acceptable solution for dealing with the trials of life. With society now captivated by the philosophy of sorcery, spells and incantations, and with no moral absolute to hold to, it is no wonder that so called “white” witchcraft has become an acceptable vehicle for the heroes of a supposedly “Christian” fantasy story.

I would ask anyone who disagrees with this to please site biblical references that allow for the use of “white” magic done in the name of “good.” I have yet to make that connection. What I question here is how biblical thinkers could rectify occult themes and practices by Tolkien’s heroes? Though people may want to cheer on Frodo and Gandalf as they trek through Middle Earth, the story can be likened to a sumptuous meal with a place setting of snakes and a garnish of arsenic. As long as one doesn’t care what’s alongside or what the final outcome may be, then as long as we just say the story is teaching spiritual truths, then everything will be OK.

It can be surmised that The Lord of the Rings became so widely accepted in the Christian community merely because Tolkien claimed Christianity (Catholicism) as his religion and because some persist in seeing the story as a veiled Christian allegory. While Tolkien’s heroes may live by noble standards when compared to Harry Potter and his gang, allegories – even biblically correct ones - are of little consequence in a culture such as ours. Also, if the allegory approach really worked evangelistically, then doesn’t it stand to reason that the masses would now be clamoring after Christ due to the success of the Rings movies? (Regardless of Mel Gibson’s personal religious beliefs, contrast that with the thousands that have come to Christ because of the boldness of “The Passion of the Christ”!)

If anyone doubts just how veiled any Christian references are in the Rings storyline, then let it be noted that a 144 page book has been written called Finding God in the Lord of the Rings to help readers make their way through the complexities of Tolkien’s story to allegedly find God in there. That being the case, could it be that more liberal views which blindly accept the occult and its practitioners in a more favorable light may be embraced by some who have merely been told that Rings was a “Christian” novel yet have never compared it to Biblical truth as it relates to the occult?  It should be pointed out that many of the themes contained in the Rings story are found wanting when examined for biblical soundness. The point is that if Christians wink their eyes at occult activity in a supposed “Christian” story because it is somehow justified as a tool to show us goodness or to triumph over evil, then is it a stretch to believe that we may possibly find merit in the occult in some other venue, even in real life?

It is also important to note that it is more than just counterproductive to give Tolkien books or Lord of the Rings DVDs as evangelistic tools to witches, pagans or New Agers around us. If we do so, telling them that Tolkien was a Christian and that the story is a Christian allegory, they will surely contract the idea that the Christian worldview is actually much more closely related to their own than they ever previously dreamed!

Regardless of how creatively written the storyline may be it is indeed on shaky footing when examined biblically. This should be evident to those willing to use the Bible as the only guide to navigate the complex world which Lord of the Rings presents us with. However, it would seem that popularity by other Christians or the culture itself hold sway in the minds of many millions and that biblical examination is either too much trouble, too confusing, too time consuming or just plain too convicting. To believe that Tolkien’s work somehow lines up with scripture is akin to believing that God allows for occult practices by His church as long as we do it for the Kingdom of God!

It should trouble biblical thinkers that J.R.R. Tolkien (and his protégé, C.S. Lewis, see info below) utilized pagan imagery and characterizations that are considerably outside the pale of biblical Christianity. More troubling is the fact already stated that Rings has become so overwhelmingly accepted by Christians as a Christian story which supposedly gives an accurate portrayal of God’s values and truth, though it wholly abandons God’s absolute forbiddance of pagan practices regardless of how noble the use may be. I hope that the reader here will become troubled enough to recognize that if there ever was a day when the church could plead ignorance concerning these overtly occult themes, that day is long past.

Are we to blindly accept all of their works as sound, purely because in times past some individuals have found possible biblical parallel within their characterizations or storylines? Correct biblical thinking would say: “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” (Colossians 3:17) So we must ask: Is using sorcery, reincarnation, and “white” witchcraft – even to make a case that supposedly advances the Kingdom of God – acceptable in the Lord’s sight?

Could it be that at least part of the reason that Rings has become a so-called “Christian classic” is that someone told us that it was? It is this sort of unverified acceptance that has plunged the mainline denominations into the complete state of theological disrepair that they are in today. You see, the people in the pews took someone’s word for what was biblical and approved by God and many of those “someones” turned out to be wolves in sheep’s clothing who knew not the Word of God and cared for its truths even less!

The concept that we ought to test everything for ourselves by the Bible has been called "narrow" and "judgmental." What is going on here? Are any such literary works exempt from the “Berean-esque” scrutiny of Scripture? Regardless of how widely accepted these books may be or who may be endorsing them, the question still remains: Are works such as The Lord of the Rings doctrinally sound and do they reflect a biblical worldview?

For several decades, it seems that many Christians accepted or ignored the absolute evil of “white vs. black” magic themes in literature. The awe of the storytelling and imagery used in Rings probably suppressed much thought of the occult activities in which both the heroes and villains participated. Perhaps this was just biblical ignorance. Maybe it was just an uncomfortable sidebar such as overlooking the bad habits of a friend or relative because he or she is just so loveable and enjoyable.

In seasons past (i.e., the1940s) it could be that in the minds of some, the occult activity which permeates the heroic lives of Tolkien’s Frodo and Gandalf wasn’t worthy of much discussion. At that time in history, there was no occult invasion underway and certainly no fascination by the masses with such ideas. After all, they were indeed the “good” wizards and their magic was used to overcome alleged “evil.” Let’s make no mistake that this is the same line of thinking used by modern pagans to justify their supposedly “good” occultism. Why we accepted these stories as “Christian” or how they became standard works for Christian consumption, is not the point. What is evident is that a wake up call is in order.

Tolkien (and Lewis) created their stories in a day when the occult was not the norm, when there was NOT a mass proliferation of occult philosophy and practice and when the majority of the church had little or no understanding of such things. This does not justify the “white vs. black” magic scenarios in their works, but could serve to explain it. In my mind, this is another very important reason that Rings and other works of its kind are off limits in our day.

Then came the 1960’s and the great outpouring of evil activity that led us to the drug culture, the sexual revolution, and the blurring of truth in general. Evolution, abortion and nihilism replaced God, life and hope. Along with this cultural shift came an insatiable demonically induced hunger to experience the paranormal.

By the 1980’s an estimated 100 million people in the United States alone had adopted the philosophies or even the complete lifestyle of the New Age Movement (according to a 1987 Gallup Poll). Now, decades after the heyday of Lewis and Tolkien, our culture is reaping increasingly horrific rewards for the abandonment of truth and righteousness – including an occult explosion unparalleled in history. Still, how could these men – revered by so many Christians in this century and the last – have missed it so badly?

THE MIXING OF EVIL AND GOOD

Can it be suggested that since Lewis was affected so greatly by Tolkien that the answer could lie in Tolkien’s Catholicism. Following standard Catholic operating procedure, it is obvious from his works that Tolkien saw nothing wrong with integrating not just secular but downright unbiblical ideas and imagery into his writing.

It is a fact that when embarking upon fresh mission fields, Catholic missionaries have for centuries made a habit of integrating the religion of a region into the tradition and practice of the Church in any given area. The resulting cultural and spiritual synthesis has allowed many unbiblical beliefs to operate alongside the teachings of the church.  (A glaring example of this is the current mix of Catholicism and Caribbean Santeria and voodoo that has now immigrated to Catholic communities within the United States in places such as Miami and New York City. A quick search on the Internet turns up thousands of page hits showing the complete marriage of these occult religions and Catholicism).

The idea was and is, “come and join the church, participate in the mass, follow our teaching and keep your pagan idolatry and customs too.” This may explain why Tolkien and to some lesser extent his protégé Lewis often steered their fantasy stories into the world of sorcery, spells and incantations. Though apparently not occultists themselves, Tolkien in particular seemed to see very little wrong with the occult. This is obvious from the near compulsory use of sorcery they displayed in their fantasies. To them it was a vehicle just as it is for millions of New Agers and pagans today.

Though both men incorporated many attributes of absolute morality into the integrity of their hero characters (i.e., Frodo and Aslan), the vehicle of “white vs. black” sorcery on which they often perched their heroes is sorely lacking any Biblical basis.

The use of elves, unicorns, witches, magicians – even to attempt to allegorize the story of Christ - are off limits – especially in our day. With the proliferation of the occult and the complete public acceptance of “white and black” magic these themes will prove detrimental to the cause of evangelism and certainly present a double standard.

Plus, HOW CAN GOD BLESS US, OUR HOMES AND OUR CHURCHES IF WE PERSIST IN BEING ENTERTAINED BY IMAGES, STORIES, MOVIES OR ANYTHING ELSE THAT REPRESENT THE PAGAN WORLD IN A POSITIVE LIGHT?

The answer is that He CAN’T!

Perhaps there is no better reason than this to reevaluate acceptance of The Lord of the Rings.

Powerful sermon you have there...