Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
In this book, Lisa Coutras explores the structure and complexity of J.R.R. Tolkien s narrative theology, synthesizing his Christian worldview with his creative imagination. She illustrates how, within the framework of a theological aesthetics, transcendental beauty is the unifying principle that integrates all aspects of Tolkien s writing, from pagan despair to Christian joy.
J.R.R. Tolkien s Christianity is often held in an unsteady tension with the pagan despair of his mythic world. Some critics portray these as incompatible, while Christian analysis tends to oversimplify the presence of religious symbolism. This polarity of opinion testifies to the need for a unifying interpretive lens. The fact that Tolkien saw his own writing as religious and Catholic, yet was preoccupied with pagan mythology, nature, language, and evil, suggests that these areas were wholly integrated with his Christian worldview. Tolkien s Theology of Beauty examines six structural elements, demonstrating that the author s Christianity is deeply embedded in the narrative framework of his creative imagination.
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Synopsis
Foreword; Alister McGrath
Introduction
Part I: On Myth
Chapter 1. A Theology of Beauty Chapter 2. Primary Truth
Part II: On Creation
Chapter 3. The Light of Being Chapter 4. Incarnate Beings Chapter 5. The Wonder of Being
Part III: On Language
Chapter 6. The Law of the LogosChapter 7. The Song of L thien
Part IV: On Good and Evil
Chapter 8. Being and Unbeing Chapter 9. The Splendor of Being
Part V: On Tragic Heroism
Chapter 10. The Tragedy of T rinChapter 11. Hope Without Guarantees
Part VI: On Women
Chapter 12. Tolkien and Feminist CriticismChapter 13. The Transcendental Feminine Chapter 14. The Renunciation of Power
Conclusion