Lewis and Tolkien - Compare/Contrast

[@PastorVor]

I just binge watched this entire series, for the sheer pleasure of it. Entertainment, if you will. That I learned something about these two writers, as well as myself is just the icing on the cake. Thank you for that.

[@DivergentAntipodean]

You love what you do and you are extremely good at it, I too binge watched this series. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Raised in the culture of Irish Catholicism transplanted to Australia during the era of the First Vatican Council, born a war baby and orphaned of father by WW2, I have been a polymath commencing University tertiary studies in Mathematics, Physics and Medicine at age 16 and in the agonies of despair with the pall of Nuclear annihilation a daily dread I came across Tolkien, Lewis and Thomas Merton. I did not suicide but encountered my heavenly Father and the Kingdom of God as reality and reason for hope. For 50 years most of the writings of all three have dwelt on my bookshelves and I have used them to prompt meditation when the wells ran dry. Although I endured the full professional training as a psychiatrist in the NHS, the grace of God planted me in a city where a small group of Christians were living and teaching clinical theology and I have ministered through the periscope of psychology authenticated by spirituality as well as biology for 40 years. Very few doctors and even fewer psychiatrists in Australia are believers and many baptised people cursed and shunned me as an idiot or a fool. What a gift we are given by those who wrote out of steadfast faith. Do you teach on what I like to call authentic anthropology at your institute?

[@TenderTrap86]

Thank you Prof. Reeves. I wonder if you do lectures also on George MacDonald. Both Tolkien and Lewis praised him. It has been said that MacDonald was father of modern, Christian fantasy.

[@mikemessier7977]

I have enjoyed the writings of both writers. I now have a better/deeper understanding of what I have read. I thank you Sir.

[@duncanhollands5218]

Thank you so much for these lectures. I just finished watching most of the series and they've really helped me to understand how Lewis and Tolkien were shaped by their world and what they were trying to do. If you want one suggestion, I would have loved a bit more of a summary at the end of 'What are the really high level reasons why these guys were and are so popular? And what (in your opinion) are the most important things Christians today (given your context) can learn from these two? The second question especially would only be summarising what you've already said at length, but I would have found it more helpful than you fairly long summary of the ways they were different or similar. Anyway, absolutely excellent, engaging and informed lectures. Thank you again for putting them up free of charge!

[@LeoxandarMagnus]

Very informative series. I just finished listening to your playlist and I must say it has given me some things to think about.

[@TolkienStudy]

Great lectures it's just a little unlistenable with the constant pausing of sound, which is a shame because these are excellent lectures.

[@RyanReevesM]

Yeah the gate mutes were unfortunate. My only defense is I was both audio guy AND the guy doing the lecture. Ha!

[@TolkienStudy]

Well hey no one is perfect except Christ. Thank you so much for sharing your important work. I'm starting to get interested in the Priesthood as my vocation, and it's fair to say Tolkien, Lewis, Peter Kreeft, and my mentor Dwight Duncan (also the direct experience of the Sistine Chapel) converted me. And I take classes at Mythgard Institute where we study Lewis and Tolkien in depth. We haven't had a Tolkien and Philosophy or Lewis and Philosophy/Theology class as of yet. Unlike Adam and Eve you did not shy away from responsibility, which to me says you're a good person. I will subscribe. Thank you.

[@2Granule]

Thank you for your attempts. It is critical to remember that LOTR was written from 1937 to 1949. It was only AFTER 1951 that Tolkien tried to insinuate theology into his notes about Middle Earth. This was perhaps due to the clumsy actions of Lewis. Lewis was an inferior writer and thinker. Tolkien's genius shines out and makes his works still relevant. Lewis is discounted more and more each year.

[@RyanReevesM]

I agree on one level, for sure. I'm stopped by saying this too strongly because in a letter Tolkien actually says the opposite: that it was much more overtly theologically and that he pulled a lot of that out to avoid strong allegorical readings of his story. But you're right, too, that he also massaged the theology in LOTR in a nuanced way once he felt it wouldn't be allegoricallly abused! :)

[@stevehoos702]

Lewis was an inferior thinker? That's an absurd contrast. Read The Abolition Of Man and get back to me on that.

[@brendancoulter5761]

I will agree that Tolkien was the superior writer but Lewis was no slouch, he simply did not fear the negative affects of allegory like tolkien did, which makes his storys worse stories but better fairy tails. (better, clear morals for children) But claiming he was an inferior thinker? These were 2 brilliant men that I dont think we can easily decide which if either surpassed the other.