6 Lessons from The Lord of the Rings - Crosswalk the Devotional - June 6

Truths observed at the intersection of faith and life by Crosswalk.com editors [Crosswalk.com Logo]( Crosswalk: The Devotional [Devotionals]( [Newsletters]( [e-Cards]( [Learn more about RevenueStripe...]( 6 Lessons from The Lord of the Rings by Ryan Duncan Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy ([Matthew 5:7](. Not too long ago, I found myself talking with a friend over coffee. As we began to discuss the Hobbit movie, the two of us began to reflect on Tolkien’s novels and how his Christian [faith]( was revealed through his writing. Grabbing a pen and a spare napkin, I managed to jot down a few of the lessons we realized J.R.R. Tolkien passed on through his epic fantasy... 1. Have Courage Who would you say is the "hero" of Tolkien’s series? Is it Frodo? After all, he was the one who bore the Ring of Power to Mount Doom. Some might think the real hero is Gandalf. Without his wisdom and guidance, Middle-earth would surely have been overrun. What about Eowyn? She was the one who could defeat the Witch-King in battle. There are many characters you could choose, but they all have one thing in common: Courage. Tolkien lived during the years when Nazi Germany stood ready to overshadow the world, and no doubt he saw ordinary people called on to perform extraordinary acts of heroism. As Tolkien wrote, "Even the smallest person can change the course of the future." Even the meekest of Christians can show courage when afraid. 2. The World Needs More Hospitality I feel like the gift of Hospitality is going out of fashion among Christians. It's true everyone needs a place where they can take a break from the world, but it has nearly reached the point where Christians are no longer bothering to open the door even to other Christians. Hospitality was not just a virtue but an essential part of Tolkien's Middle-earth. In The Hobbit, Bilbo hosts over a dozen rowdy dwarves who eat everything in his pantry. In The Lord of the Rings the elves are constantly opening their doors to travelers in need. Even the Ents, who are basically walking trees, find ways to accommodate guests when they pass through their forest. Hospitality is not an easy gift, and from the way he writes Tolkien obviously believed it wasn’t supposed to be, but that does not mean it isn’t an important gift. 3. Fellowship is More Valuable Than Gold [CONTINUE READING →]( [Learn more about RevenueStripe...]( You May Also Like: [9 Points That Argue the Eternality of Hell]( Eric Davis One of the most difficult truths to grasp is the eternality of hell. The misery of it all is simply unfathomable. [CONTINUE READING →]( [Learn more about RevenueStripe...]( [10 Bad Habits That Christians Should Kick]( Mindy Fitterling We know we won’t be perfect in this lifetime, but there are some habits that, if tackled, could make a big impact on our faith and the faith of others. [CONTINUE READING →]( [Crosswalk.com Logo]( [Read about Salem Web Network]( | [Unsubscribe From This Email]( [Email Preference Center]( | [View in Browser]( © 2020 Salem Web Network. All rights reserved. 111 Virginia Street, Suite 500, Richmond, VA 23219. This email is never sent unsolicited. You are receiving this email because your email address, {EMAIL}, is signed up to receive newsletters, updates, and special offers from Crosswalk.com - The Devotional. [Link](