Status Updates From A Hobbit, a Wardrobe, and a...

Clergy transformed it into a holy crusade. Secular goals mixed with religious beliefs. Nationalism moved to the front and religion supported it as their destiny. Clergy sanctified the modern state. The Church of England was misguided in this effort. The demonic foe also believed in a just cause “Gott mitt uns” due to the influence of Protestants. Ministers in France and the USA promoted the idea of a just war.

Neither man wanted to be martyrs nor win martial glory. They probably saw it as their duty to preserve Western heritage and order in Europe trhough the supremacy of the UK. Britains believed in preserving the institutions for human flourishing. They were sticking to their treaty with Belgium and fighting for principles. WWI became a modern crusade through British clergy promoting the doctrine of just war.

In 1914 Tolkien and his buddies joined their school cadet corps. While learning Latin and Greek, he realized that legends depend on language and vice versa. He studied Old English and read Beowulf in the original. Lewis nor Tolkien saw themselves as holy crusaders. Tolkien continued his studies until 1916. He was disappointed that his training did not match actual combat.