Read the first-ever biography of J.R.R Tolkien dedicated to exploring his deeply-held Catholic faith.
Containing sources and photos never before published in Tolkien scholarship, this long-overdue spiritual biography offers new insight into Tolkien’s works by shedding fresh light on their author’s deepest-held convictions.
Tolkien’s Faith: A Spiritual Biography
Tolkien’s Faith:
A Spiritual Biography
By Holly Ordway
Word on Fire Academic | September 2, 2023
Hardcover | 532 Pages | 6” x 9”
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Retail Price: $34.95 $27.96
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Tolkien described The Lord of the Rings as “a fundamentally religious and Catholic work” and declared, “I am a Christian (which can be deduced from my stories).” Yet he insisted his writings were not allegories, and Middle-earth is loved by millions who do not share his religious beliefs.
How were his faith and his fiction related? Holly Ordway answers this question biographically, focusing on Tolkien’s spiritual development, a dramatic story that previous accounts of his life have left largely unexplored.
Here we find Tolkien’s faith was hard-won. His Anglican upbringing was overturned when his mother converted to Catholicism. Soon afterwards, she died, leaving Tolkien under the guardianship of a Catholic priest, who forbade him for three years to see his Protestant sweetheart; he eventually married her nonetheless. The Great War, in which most of his close friends were killed, deepened Tolkien’s reliance on his faith, but then, for nearly a decade, he “almost ceased to practise” his religion. Friendship with C.S. Lewis and success with The Hobbit were followed by another war and by turmoil in the Church that sternly tested Tolkien’s commitments.
The challenges and triumphs in his religious life are reflected in his masterpiece, The Lord of the Rings, that epic tale of endurance against the odds. As Ordway shows in her expertly researched and richly illustrated study, Tolkien’s faith and Tolkien’s fiction are intimately related, though in subtle and complex ways. This long-overdue spiritual biography gives new insight into his works by shedding fresh light on their author’s deepest-held convictions.
“The Lord of the Rings is of course a fundamentally religious and Catholic work; unconsciously so at first, but consciously in the revision. That is why I have not put in, or have cut out, practically all references to anything like ‘religion,’ to cults or practices, in the imaginary world. For the religious element is absorbed into the story and the symbolism. However that is very clumsily put, and sounds more self-important than I feel. For as a matter of fact, I have consciously planned very little; and should chiefly be grateful for having been brought up (since I was eight) in a Faith that has nourished me and taught me all the little that I know.”
— John Ronald Reuel Tolkien
About the Author
Holly Ordway is the Cardinal Francis George Professor of Faith and Culture at the Word on Fire Institute and Visiting Professor of Apologetics at Houston Christian University. She holds a PhD in English from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and is a Subject Editor for the Journal of Inklings Studies. Her book Tolkien’s Modern Reading: Middle-earth Beyond the Middle Ages received the 2022 Mythopoeic Scholarship Award in Inklings Studies.
About the Author
Holly Ordway is the Cardinal Francis George Professor of Faith and Culture at the Word on Fire Institute and Visiting Professor of Apologetics at Houston Christian University. She holds a PhD in English from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and is a Subject Editor for the Journal of Inklings Studies. Her book Tolkien’s Modern Reading: Middle-earth Beyond the Middle Ages received the 2022 Mythopoeic Scholarship Award in Inklings Studies.
Here’s What People Are Saying...
“Holly Ordway’s Tolkien’s Faith demonstrates how much more there is to know about Tolkien as a Catholic, and a Christian. Tolkien’s Faith is a heavy volume with nothing extraneous, and is adjunct to a general biography of Tolkien, filling gaps Tolkien enthusiasts may not have known existed. This is an essential volume in Tolkien studies.”
— Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull, J.R.R. Tolkien scholars and co-authors of The Tolkien Collector
“Holly Ordway brilliantly illuminates the life of faith that was vital to Tolkien as an individual and as creator of Middle-earth. Besides giving rich insight into the implications of his belief, Tolkien’s Faith reveals the everyday rhythms of his religious life and opens up new and busily peopled vistas in the familiar biographical landscape. This is an enlightening and highly readable biography, meticulously researched and measured in judgement. I’ve learned far more reading it than I even realized I needed to learn, and I commend it to anyone who wants to understand Tolkien in the round.”
— John Garth, award-winning author of Tolkien and the Great War and The Worlds of J.R.R. Tolkien
“Tolkien’s Faith is the first systematic, book-length exploration of the influence and importance of the Christian faith in Tolkien’s life. It should establish that his Catholicism, as a fundamental and pervasive presence in his life, works, and concerns, was at least as significant as were his professional pursuits and war experience, and that recognizing and exploring this influence in detail is at least as illuminating.”
— Carl F. Hostetter, editor of The Nature of Middle-earth by J.R.R. Tolkien
“To understand Tolkien fully, it is necessary to grasp all aspects of his life and personality, regardless of one’s own preferences or beliefs. Ordway’s detailed yet accessible book will soon become an essential compass for anyone who has the desire and courage to deepen their relationship with the author of The Lord of the Rings. Instead of excluding or exploiting his religious commitments, this biography, journeying to the foundations of his humanity, neither censors Tolkien’s faith nor idealizes it.”
— Giuseppe Pezzini, Fellow of Corpus Christi College, University of Oxford; Tolkien Editor, Journal of Inkling Studies
“What a privilege to read this extraordinary work; I savored every word. Ordway’s research, prose, and argumentation are excellent. This is truly a book to be celebrated, worthy of Tolkien himself.”
— Bradley J. Birzer, Hillsdale College, author of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Sanctifying Myth
“The elephant in the room—Tolkien’s devout and lifelong Christian faith—has at last been fully examined: trunk, tusks, ears, tail, memory, and all. Soberly, with expert attention both to fine points and the big picture, Ordway explains Tolkien’s religious beliefs and explores how they shaped his life and work. I feel like Sam felt when he finally beheld the Oliphaunt. I see now! This is what the rumours were about!”
— Michael Ward, Faculty of Theology and Religion, University of Oxford; co-editor of The Cambridge Companion to C.S. Lewis
More from Holly Ordway
Holly Ordway sits down with fellow literary scholar Michael Ward to discuss Tolkien’s Faith: A Spiritual Biography.
Holly Ordway sits down with fellow author and Tolkien-lover Brandon Vogt to discuss Tolkien’s Faith: A Spiritual Biography.
A hard-won faith
Holly Ordway highlights three reasons why we should study and care about the deeply-held Catholic faith of J.R.R. Tolkien.
Tolkien the convert
Holly Ordway highlights J.R.R. Tolkien’s conversion from Anglicanism to Catholicism and the impact it had on his life.
Humor, humility, and hobbits
Holly Ordway highlights Tolkien’s humor and humility and how those qualities are reflected in the characters he created.
Fellow pilgrim
Holly Ordway highlights the close friendship between J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis and their shared Christian faith.
Wartime spirituality
Holly Ordway highlights J.R.R. Tolkien’s harrowing experiences in World War I and the effect they had on both his faith and his work.
Spiritual friends
Holly Ordway highlights some of J.R.R. Tolkien’s favorite saints and how the communion of saints is reflected in the lore of Middle Earth.
The Newman connection
Holly Ordway highlights the fascinating connection between two of the most famous English converts from Anglicanism to Catholicism: J.R.R. Tolkien and Saint John Henry Newman.
More from Holly Ordway
Holly Ordway sits down with the Faculty of Theology and Religion at University of Oxford and fellow literary scholar Michael Ward to discuss “Tolkien’s Faith: A Spiritual Biography.”
Holly Ordway sits down with fellow author and Tolkien-lover, and Director of Word on Fire Publishing Brandon Vogt to discuss “Tolkien’s Faith: A Spiritual Biography.”
A hard-won faith
Holly Ordway highlights three reasons why we should study and care about the deeply-held Catholic faith of J.R.R. Tolkien.
Tolkien the convert
Holly Ordway highlights J.R.R. Tolkien’s conversion from Anglicanism to Catholicism and the impact it had on his life.
Humor, humility, and hobbits
Holly Ordway highlights Tolkien’s humor and humility and how those qualities are reflected in the characters he created.
Fellow pilgrim
Holly Ordway highlights the close friendship between J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis and their shared Christian faith.
Wartime spirituality
Holly Ordway highlights J.R.R. Tolkien’s harrowing experiences in World War I and the effect they had on both his faith and his work.
Spiritual friends
Holly Ordway highlights some of J.R.R. Tolkien’s favorite saints and how the communion of saints is reflected in the lore of Middle Earth.
The Newman connection
Holly Ordway highlights the fascinating connection between two of the most famous English converts from Anglicanism to Catholicism: J.R.R. Tolkien and Saint John Henry Newman.
Contents
Beginning: 1892 – 1916
Chapter 1 - “I am in any case myself a Christian”
Chapter 2 - Two Worlds
Chapter 3 - Mabel’s Choice
Chapter 4 - J.R.P.R.T.
Chapter 5 - Learning to Pray
Chapter 6 - Formation
Chapter 7 - Death in a Cottage
Chapter 8 - A Home in the Highest
Chapter 9 - Horsemaster
Chapter 10 - Love’s Labors
Chapter 11 - Towery City
Chapter 12 - A Second Wind
Chapter 13 - “The one great thing to love on earth”
Chapter 14 - “With this ring I thee wed”
Middle: 1916 – 1952
Chapter 15 - Into Battle
Chapter 16 - Stella Vespertina
Chapter 17 - Demobilization
Chapter 18 - “I almost ceased to practise my religion”
Chapter 19 - The Domestic Church
Chapter 20 - Fellow Pilgrim
Chapter 21 - An Academic Vocation
Chapter 22 - Saints and Angels
Chapter 23 - Charity and Forgiveness
Chapter 24 - Men of Valor
Chapter 25 - Darkness Visible
Chapter 26 - The Inklings
Chapter 27 - Praises
Chapter 28 - Tolkien’s Parish
End: 1952 – 1973
Chapter 29 - “I have exposed my heart to be shot at”
Chapter 30 - The Accredited Altar
Chapter 31 - Bearing Witness
Chapter 32 - In the Beginning Was the Word
Chapter 33 - Jonah
Chapter 34 - “An axe-blow near the roots”
Chapter 35 - “The Tree is the thing”
Chapter 36 - Loyalty
Chapter 37 - New Friends, New Horizons
Chapter 38 - “Companions in shipwreck”
Chapter 39 - Reuel
Photo Gallery
Appendix A: Timeline of Tolkien’s Life
Appendix B: Prayers and Liturgical Extracts
Glossary
List of Bibliographical Abbreviations
Endnotes
Bibliography
Biblical Index
General Index
Contents
Beginning: 1892 – 1916
Chapter 1 - “I am in any case myself a Christian”
Chapter 2 - Two Worlds
Chapter 3 - Mabel’s Choice
Chapter 4 - J.R.P.R.T.
Chapter 5 - Learning to Pray
Chapter 6 - Formation
Chapter 7 - Death in a Cottage
Chapter 8 - A Home in the Highest
Chapter 9 - Horsemaster
Chapter 10 - Love’s Labors
Chapter 11 - Towery City
Chapter 12 - A Second Wind
Chapter 13 - “The one great thing to love on earth”
Chapter 14 - “With this ring I thee wed”
Middle: 1916 – 1952
Chapter 15 - Into Battle
Chapter 16 - Stella Vespertina
Chapter 17 - Demobilization
Chapter 18 - “I almost ceased to practise my religion”
Chapter 19 - The Domestic Church
Chapter 20 - Fellow Pilgrim
Chapter 21 - An Academic Vocation
Chapter 22 - Saints and Angels
Chapter 23 - Charity and Forgiveness
Chapter 24 - Men of Valor
Chapter 25 - Darkness Visible
Chapter 26 - The Inklings
Chapter 27 - Praises
Chapter 28 - Tolkien’s Parish
End: 1952 – 1973
Chapter 29 - “I have exposed my heart to be shot at”
Chapter 30 - The Accredited Altar
Chapter 31 - Bearing Witness
Chapter 32 - In the Beginning Was the Word
Chapter 33 - Jonah
Chapter 34 - “An axe-blow near the roots”
Chapter 35 - “The Tree is the thing”
Chapter 36 - Loyalty
Chapter 37 - New Friends, New Horizons
Chapter 38 - “Companions in shipwreck”
Chapter 39 - Reuel
Photo Gallery
Appendix A: Timeline of Tolkien’s Life
Appendix B: Prayers and Liturgical Extracts
Glossary
List of Bibliographical Abbreviations
Endnotes
Bibliography
Biblical Index
General Index
