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J.R.R. Tolkien: Christian Maker of Middle-Earth
"In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit." So begins J.R.R. Tolkien's marvellous tale of wizards, elves, dragons, and dwarves in the children's book, The Hobbit. Since Bilbo Baggins entered the hearts and minds of readers in 1937, millions of people around the world have gone on to read, watch, and study Tolkien's epic masterpieces The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion. Yet, in spite of the legacy and the world-wide fame of Tolkien's Middle-earth, many people know more about hobbits, trolls, and magic rings than they do about the man behind it all. So who was J.R.R. Tolkien, the maker of Middle-earth? In his own words, he says, "I am a Christian" and plainly states that he wrote The Lord of the Rings "to be consonant with Christian thought and belief." This is why Tolkien's Christian faith is the linchpin for fully understanding and appreciating his voluminous writings. This biography is intended to show readers that Tolkien's Christian faith was central to his life and work, personally, professionally, and-most importantly-creatively.
- GenresBiography
267 pages, Paperback
Published December 5, 2023
4 people are currently reading
60 people want to read
About the author
Jeremy W. Johnston
3 books29 followersJEREMY W. JOHNSTON teaches English, history, and classical studies at Hillfield Strathallan College. He also teaches humanities courses as an adjunct professor and lecturer at Heritage College and Seminary, Redeemer University, and Mohawk College. He holds a master's degree in education and an honours degree in English literature and humanities from the University of Western Ontario. For over a decade, he served as the arts columnist for Barnabas magazine, which is published by the Sovereign Grace Fellowship of Canada. He has been involved in Christian education-teaching, preaching and speaking-at local churches and Christian venues for many years. Jeremy and his wife, Laurie, have been homeschooling their four children for over 20 years. They live in Hamilton, Ont., Canada.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
April 1, 2024
I wrote this book over three years. It was a labour of love, and I hope readers enjoy the book as much (or more!) than I enjoyed writing it. I'm thrilled that it will be released soon! Order your copy through my publisher: https://hesedandemet.com/product/j-r-...
January 2, 2024
H&E Publishing released a fantastic new biography about JRR Tolkien! Jeremy W. Johnston has delightfully interwoven the events in Tolkien’s life to share how they and his Christian faith have impacted his creative life.
“To the careful observer, underlying all of Tolkien’s writing is the Christian hope that this ‘momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond comparison’” (Johnston).
Read the full book review at: https://laurenducommun.com/2023/12/29...
“To the careful observer, underlying all of Tolkien’s writing is the Christian hope that this ‘momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond comparison’” (Johnston).
Read the full book review at: https://laurenducommun.com/2023/12/29...
October 22, 2024
this biography is a compelling exploration of how Tolkien's Christian faith shaped his stories. Johnston skillfully connects biographical insights with deeper theological themes, revealing the ways in which Tolkien grappled with concepts of good, evil, and redemption. This book offers a fresh perspective on Tolkien as not just an author, but a thinker whose beliefs profoundly influenced his imaginative world.
January 3, 2024
An excellent and thorough biography of J.R.R. Tolkien! It is rare to find an approachable biography of Tolkien that is so well-researched, and yet J.R.R. Tolkien: Christian Maker of Middle-Earth accomplishes just that. Furthermore, it is a deeply refreshing insight into Tolkien's Christian walk. I learned a lot about the life of Tolkien, and his journey through spiritual triumphs and valleys was both convicting and encouraging. This is essential reading for the Tolkien fan, and a beautifully written and edifying biography for the Christian!
December 29, 2023
I can’t give this work high enough praise. Much more than a biography, it’s a window into the motivations and heart of a master sub-creator. Gospel centric, moving and delightful.
January 4, 2024
An incredible look into Tolkien’s faith throughout his life. This biography was written with much care and devotion. 2023 brought great struggles in my own personal life and this beautifully written quote from Johnston was a great reminder of the hope of Christs “final victory”.
“Faith in Christ doesn’t necessarily change one’s circumstances…rather, it changes people within their circumstances. Tolkien was able to face the seemingly endless cycle of personal disasters and setbacks because his joy and hope rested in the great “happy-ending” promised by the Gospel.”
“Faith in Christ doesn’t necessarily change one’s circumstances…rather, it changes people within their circumstances. Tolkien was able to face the seemingly endless cycle of personal disasters and setbacks because his joy and hope rested in the great “happy-ending” promised by the Gospel.”
March 12, 2024
What could possibly be said about JRR Tolkien that has not already been said? In the decades since Tolkien’s death, he has become an enduring figure in literature. Christopher Tolkien heavily expanded his father’s legacy by taking the massive amounts of unpublished writings Tolkien left behind and curating them into a readable form. There have been a host of Tolkien biographies, scores of books focused on literary analysis of Tolkien’s works, entire academic degrees can be gotten in Tolkien-related studies—what more could possibly be said?
Any new Tolkien biography or review of his writing runs the risk of being something said a thousand times before. How do we make the study of Tolkien new and fresh while remaining true to Tolkien’s life and work? For Jeremy W. Johnston, it is all about the lens through which Tolkien is viewed. As teacher of literature of history at Heritage College & Seminary, Johnston’s foray into Tolkien’s life focuses on Tolkien’s Christian faith. J.R.R. Tolkien: Christian Maker of Middle-earth is a biography specifically focused on the influence of Christianity on Tolkien’s life and work.
In many ways, what Johnston is offering a curation of Tolkien’s biographies, writings, and letters that binds together all everything of Tolkien’s life and work related to Christianity into a compelling thematic narrative. Johnston exhibits a deep knowledge of Tolkien’s work, not simply containing himself to The Hobbit or The Lord of the Rings but citing virtually every major Tolkien work. Even lesser-known works like Finn and Hengest and Roverandom get a mention.
It's also important to note that J.R.R. Tolkien: Christian Maker of Middle-earth is a biography and not a literary analysis. While Tolkien’s writings are inexorably part of his life, much of the book is dedicated to Tolkien’s pre-published years. Part One covers Tolkien’s childhood and discusses how he came to be raised within a Catholic community and, after his mother’s death, became the ward of a Catholic priest. Part Two follows Tolkien as a young scholar and soldier, talking about how the crucible of war affected Tolkien’s faith and, quite importantly, developed Tolkien’s deep passion for close friendships. Part Three moves into Tolkien’s life as post-war academic beginning life as a husband and father. There’s a whole chapter on the friendship of Tolkien and CS Lewis. It’s not until the final part in Part Four, which covers Tolkien’s literary life (1930 to his death in 1973) that Johnston focuses on Tolkien as writer.
If the book has one weakness, it is that two-thirds of Tolkien’s life—and ostensibly the most interesting parts of it—is crammed into this final quarter of the book. There are concepts and events here that I think could have been borne out in greater detail and depth while, in earlier chapters, Johnston gives a lot of retread basic biography to fill the pages. J.R.R. Tolkien: Christian Maker of Middle-earth is a serviceable thematic biography. Johnston is able to show with clarity that Christianity was crucial, not just ancillary to Tolkien’s faith and writing. That’s an incredibly important element to note for an author whose literary work isn’t confined to Christian spaces. You cannot take Christianity out of Middle-earth. Christian concepts are infused within it, because Middle-earth is a reflection of Tolkien the person and Christianity was infused within him.
Any new Tolkien biography or review of his writing runs the risk of being something said a thousand times before. How do we make the study of Tolkien new and fresh while remaining true to Tolkien’s life and work? For Jeremy W. Johnston, it is all about the lens through which Tolkien is viewed. As teacher of literature of history at Heritage College & Seminary, Johnston’s foray into Tolkien’s life focuses on Tolkien’s Christian faith. J.R.R. Tolkien: Christian Maker of Middle-earth is a biography specifically focused on the influence of Christianity on Tolkien’s life and work.
In many ways, what Johnston is offering a curation of Tolkien’s biographies, writings, and letters that binds together all everything of Tolkien’s life and work related to Christianity into a compelling thematic narrative. Johnston exhibits a deep knowledge of Tolkien’s work, not simply containing himself to The Hobbit or The Lord of the Rings but citing virtually every major Tolkien work. Even lesser-known works like Finn and Hengest and Roverandom get a mention.
It's also important to note that J.R.R. Tolkien: Christian Maker of Middle-earth is a biography and not a literary analysis. While Tolkien’s writings are inexorably part of his life, much of the book is dedicated to Tolkien’s pre-published years. Part One covers Tolkien’s childhood and discusses how he came to be raised within a Catholic community and, after his mother’s death, became the ward of a Catholic priest. Part Two follows Tolkien as a young scholar and soldier, talking about how the crucible of war affected Tolkien’s faith and, quite importantly, developed Tolkien’s deep passion for close friendships. Part Three moves into Tolkien’s life as post-war academic beginning life as a husband and father. There’s a whole chapter on the friendship of Tolkien and CS Lewis. It’s not until the final part in Part Four, which covers Tolkien’s literary life (1930 to his death in 1973) that Johnston focuses on Tolkien as writer.
If the book has one weakness, it is that two-thirds of Tolkien’s life—and ostensibly the most interesting parts of it—is crammed into this final quarter of the book. There are concepts and events here that I think could have been borne out in greater detail and depth while, in earlier chapters, Johnston gives a lot of retread basic biography to fill the pages. J.R.R. Tolkien: Christian Maker of Middle-earth is a serviceable thematic biography. Johnston is able to show with clarity that Christianity was crucial, not just ancillary to Tolkien’s faith and writing. That’s an incredibly important element to note for an author whose literary work isn’t confined to Christian spaces. You cannot take Christianity out of Middle-earth. Christian concepts are infused within it, because Middle-earth is a reflection of Tolkien the person and Christianity was infused within him.
January 5, 2025
I have a review of this fine book available at Faith Today. Here is a sampling of it and the link to it:
'As a longtime fan of the Lord of the Rings books and movies, and knowing a bit about Tolkien’s life, I expected to be quite familiar with the material in a biography of the famous fantasy writer. But this biography by Jeremy Johnston proved me wrong. Not only does his book weave together a compelling portrait of Tolkien’s remarkable life and thought in a fresh way, but it carries the narrative forward at a steady, confident pace.'
[...]
'The success of The Lord of the Rings presents us with a question: how is it that, a quarter of the way into the 21st century, this British philologist (expert on languages) born in 1892 still speaks so powerfully through his fiction?'
[...]
'Johnston, as a Protestant Evangelical and a professor of literature, is ideally placed to help fellow Evangelicals recover an older, better and dare I say more Christian imagination. Readers simply cannot fully understand Tolkien’s work without grasping his view of the role of myth and of fairy-stories. And as this book treats these themes repeatedly and robustly, it will be a great help to this end.'
[...]
Full review:
https://faithtoday.ca/Magazines/2025-...
'As a longtime fan of the Lord of the Rings books and movies, and knowing a bit about Tolkien’s life, I expected to be quite familiar with the material in a biography of the famous fantasy writer. But this biography by Jeremy Johnston proved me wrong. Not only does his book weave together a compelling portrait of Tolkien’s remarkable life and thought in a fresh way, but it carries the narrative forward at a steady, confident pace.'
[...]
'The success of The Lord of the Rings presents us with a question: how is it that, a quarter of the way into the 21st century, this British philologist (expert on languages) born in 1892 still speaks so powerfully through his fiction?'
[...]
'Johnston, as a Protestant Evangelical and a professor of literature, is ideally placed to help fellow Evangelicals recover an older, better and dare I say more Christian imagination. Readers simply cannot fully understand Tolkien’s work without grasping his view of the role of myth and of fairy-stories. And as this book treats these themes repeatedly and robustly, it will be a great help to this end.'
[...]
Full review:
https://faithtoday.ca/Magazines/2025-...
March 17, 2025
Nearly a year ago I won this book on an Instagram giveaway and I’m ashamed to say it has taken me this long to get to reading it! I was excited to read it but sometimes life has different ideas. Needless to say, I started and finished it this year! To be honest, when I first started reading it, I thought, “for a book that speaks of the life of Tolkien, of an author that wrote wonderful living books (to use a Charlotte Mason term), there is not much life in this book! It is well researched but didn’t grab my attention and draw me in very well.” But maybe it was just the fact my body and brain were tired because I persisted and, man, I love this book!! It is a fantastic telling of Tolkien’s life and work. I really appreciate the deep Christian look into how Tolkien’s saving faith so deeply influenced his life and work. Also wonderful to see how beneficial and influencing good people are to have in life! A good reminder for us all to surround ourselves with good people! His was not an easy life but it was a rich life! @jeremy.w.johnston does a fantastic job of pointing the reader to this key ingredient in Tolkien’s life, to the Gospel that was Tolkien’s foundation. I will also say it was extremely helpful for him to add the “On Christianity & Catholicism” appendix. I would suggest it might be more beneficial for a reader to start with that appendix before diving into the book!
December 13, 2023
It was an incredible honor to endorse this book about the great writer, philologist, beloved author, and man of faith, J.R.R.Tolkien. Tolkien's work has had a profound impact on my books, and my worldview. I highly recommend this fascinating and moving biography by Jeremy W. Johnston!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews