The Apocalypse According to J.R.R. Tolkien

Indeed, the fact that Tolkien was invited by Father Alexander Jones to participate in the English translation of the Jerusalem Bible speaks to his deep affinity for the sacred texts of the Judeo-Christian tradition. Although he was supposed to translate the books of Jonah and Job, only the former was completed. But beyond this, it is impossible to ignore the presence of certain biblical archetypes in Tolkien’s literary writings. In particular, it is worthwhile to consider the parallels between key evil beings in the Apocalypse of Saint John and the evil beings of Middle-Earth. Far from being a mere intellectual exercise, such a reading is of special interest for our times. Read Full Article »