Frodo, fairies and faith

 1. We've had Tolkien's Lord of the Rings on our minds (as we've been rereading The Hobbit and the trilogy AND trying to figure out when the extended version films are being released on BluRay)


2. The Imaginative Conservative blog is a conglomerate of essays by some wonderfully true conservative thinkers (Dr Brad Birzer esp).  A fantastic piece was recently posted and has since given us reason for much meditation.  St. Augustine and (hopefully, someday "St.") J.R.R. Tolkien is the name of the piece...we highly recommend taking the time to thoroughly read it--it has our world-view beautifully condensed.


3. We finally got around to watching this gem and our only disappointment is that it took us so long to find.  We've watched it 3 times in 3 days and are contemplating a 4th tonight.


Here's the trailer:



The movie retells (fantastically, in the typical Irish blending of myth, fairy and truth) the making of the Book of Kells.  This is an actual book, handwritten by Celtic monks, containing the four gospels.  The illustrations are truly illuminated.


So our week was full of points 1 + 2 + 3. Which leads us to these rough conclusions (rough because we hope to be sharpening these thoughts for the rest of our lives).

Our world has obviously been broken since the fall.  However we fear that, even in our short 20+ years, it has grown more mechanized and cruel (with world wars and genocides filling the 20th century).  Technology is increasing our capacity for evil.  Despite living in an evermore globalized society we are becoming more removed and more anonymous.  It is in this society that we have grown detached from the atrocities happening all around us:  senseless massacres, 50 million US abortions  factory farming, dog fighting etc etc etc.  'We are the hollow men, we are the stuffed men.'   

Fight it.  Pore over the Book of Kell's illustrations.  Wonder at the beauty and detail given to the Word so many years ago.  

Watch the movie.  Notice that nature has a face (Aisling).  Quite a pagan concept.  'Modern' man had done its best to debunk this concept, defining nature in terms of laws and psychology and utility.  We have relinquished our heritage as heirs and guardians of Mystery, and coldly proclaimed ourselves to be its conquerors.  

With that in mind, we resonate with C.S. Lewis (from aforementioned Imaginative Conservative's article):

"I sometimes wonder whether we shall not have to re-convert men to real Paganism as a preliminary to converting them to Christianity."  

Read some Tolkien (or CS Lewis fiction).  Marvel in the majesty of myth and the mystery of creation within the pages.  Sit in the sunshine that streams through cold winter windows.  Watch the seasons change.  Live a simple, honest and hearty life.  Love your neighbor and feed the sheep.  

We'll raise a pint to that.

Come Lord Jesus

T & B