Lord of the Rings – Household Words:

Judgment in Context. Isaiah 47.

Have you ever walked into the room when a friend is halfway through a movie or television show? It is easy to draw conclusions based on a quick glance. But if you do not know the history—the context—your conclusions will be wrong. For example, there are several scenes in Peter Jackson’s LORD OF THE RINGSContinue reading “Judgment in Context. Isaiah 47.”

YOUR ENEMY IS ‘INFINITELY SMALL.’ 2 Thessalonians 2:8.

There’s an old story about an art contest in which competitors were challenged to paint a picture of peace. Most of the paintings were beautiful, idyllic: sunsets, a gentle snowfall, a field of flowers, smiling children. But the winning entry showed a bird against a cliff above a raging ocean. She was nestled in aContinue reading “YOUR ENEMY IS ‘INFINITELY SMALL.’ 2 Thessalonians 2:8.”

What Sort of a Tale We’ve Fallen Into. Amos 4:13 and 5:8-9.

In THE TWO TOWERS, Samwise Gamgee (whom Tolkien later admits is the true hero in his view) muses about the nature of storytelling with Frodo. Sam suggests that readers may know what sort of ending is coming, but they would never want the characters to know. Then he asks a great question: “I wonder whatContinue reading “What Sort of a Tale We’ve Fallen Into. Amos 4:13 and 5:8-9.”