Theology and Tolkien
January 4 & 11, 2026
Class Description
The works of JRR Tolkien have had a profound impact on North American culture, and the Academy Award winning film adaption by Peter Jackson accelerated this impact. Readers have often noted the ‘spiritual’ feel of Tolkien’s works, even if there are little or no overt expressions of faith or religion in his world of Middle-earth. Famously, this was a question asked of Professor Tolkien from his readers when the LOTR was first published, and recorded in his posthumously published letters: ‘I am not religious, but why do I feel religious when I read your works?’ (paraphrased). In these two presentations, we will explore Tolkien’s religious orientations and the implications for him writing as he did. We will also look at the nature of myth, life and death, religious practice, and how we speak about an indescribable God in human language.
About Douglas Estes
Douglas Estes (PhD, Nottingham) is Associate Professor of Religion at New College of Florida. He is the author or editor of twelve books, including two on Tolkien, and has published more than fifty essays. He is an ordained minister and a fellow at the Center for Pastor Theologians in Chicago.