Tolkein was Catholic and he was friends with CS Lewis. Interesting to hear Orthodox perspective from Father Damick.

@halleylujah247

Жыл бұрын

👍

@cm9244

9 ай бұрын

And Lewis preferred the Orthodox liturgy to all others

Two of my favorite Net Christians, Austin and Fr. Damick, discussing the most epic modern literature.

Very Interesting topic! “God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty.” 1 Corinthians: 27 In LOTR, that's our friends Frodo & the Hobbits!

Fun fact. Tolkien contributed to the translation of the Book of Job in the New Jerusalem Bible.

Great interview. There's just something magical about Tolkien and the world he created. It's about time for me to revisit it I think :) My favorite scene is at the end of Return of the King called "The Field of Cormallen": "And all the host laughed and wept, and in the midst of their merriment and tears the clear voice of the minstrel rose like silver and gold, and all men were hushed. And he sang to them, now in the elven-tongue, now in the speech of the West, until their hearts, wounded with sweet words, overflowed, and their joy was like swords, and they passed in thought out to regions where pain and delight flow together and tears are the very wine of blessedness.”

The real LOTR not the Amazon gar bage. - when the moderator has the first hot take😬

@frandrewstephendamick

Жыл бұрын

This conversation is about the books, though Austin did ask me very briefly about the adaptations.

@OrthoReadings

Жыл бұрын

I gave the show a chance and watched the first 6 episodes, and I couldn’t take it anymore. It is simply not good. Can’t say I didn’t try.

@traceyedson9652

Жыл бұрын

I like the series. It’s not garbage to me.

@halleylujah247

Жыл бұрын

@@frandrewstephendamick fair enough Fr. I commented this weeks ago before the show. I haven't watched the full segment yet. I am sure it is good bc Austin has thought provoking charitable content. God bless Fr.☺️

@halleylujah247

Жыл бұрын

@@traceyedson9652 well that is an opinion

Always thrilled to see more Fr. Andrew!

@GospelSimplicity

Жыл бұрын

Great to have him back!

WOOHOO, I love crossover episodes! Gospel Simplicity + Amon Sul, I would love to get some chocolate in my peanut butter. Maybe a little Lord of Spirits sprinkled on top like sea salt.

Looking forward to this! Hopefully this will inspire me to read the series finally

Splendid, thank you Austin and Fr. Damick. This was fascinating... Now I want to dive deeper into Tolkien's works :)

Such a fun conversation!

You should do a video on Our Lady of the Pillar from Zaragoza Spain. This is the first apparition of Mary in the year 40 when she was still living in Israel. She appeared to Saint James. That's where it all started.. the reason why Spanish speaking people love Mary so much.

Thank you for all of this. SO glad he lifted Tom Bombadil!!!

@GospelSimplicity

Жыл бұрын

That was such a great choice by Fr. Andrew

The Banality of Evil should be his next book.

Thanks for this interview! I love Fr. Damick!

Nice...

Hi Austin, just stumbled across your channel, and I'm loving it! I've been trying to find books/resources to start understanding the church fathers in the grand scope of church history, but I'm not sure where to start. Any recommendations to get me started?

I didn't get all his book recommendations. 1. Beowolf by R.M. Liuzza 2. The prose edda 3. The kalevala - did i get them all right?

hi there! i’m not sure if you take suggestions, but a video on armenian christianity or visiting and armenian church would be really cool! i haven’t seen much content on oriental orthodoxy so i think i could totally help out in that area! God bless :]

@kimfleury

Жыл бұрын

I think Austin went to an Armenian church a few years ago. I can't remember if it was before or during COVID. But I might be thinking of his visit to an Oriental Orthodox Coptic church.

ROP was a disaster. Great interview

@GospelSimplicity

Жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed the interview!

See KZread channel Jackson Crawford for Norse mythology. Also, I have read exactly one article that happens to mention the pious belief that original human language was sung. The author wrote that it's believed that Adam and Eve sang every conversation and expressed thought. I wonder if J.R.R. Tolkien was aware of that pious belief?

Are Arwen , Eowyn , Galadriel symbolic of Mary?

@therese6447

Жыл бұрын

There is a mystical Lady, like The Blessed Mother, who responds miraculously to pleas for help.The Lady is named Varda (or in Elvish, Elbereth or star-queen) and although she is never seen, she's is described as holy and queenly; and when her name is invoked - "O Elbereth! Gilthoniel! - as Frodo and Sam do on occasion, miracles follow that protect the quest and defeat the present enemy.

In my opinion, if you wanted a go to orthodox Christian to discuss orthodox theology Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick would be my pick. At least from the guests you’ve had so far.

@GospelSimplicity

Жыл бұрын

He's wonderful

Tolkien was Catholic though

@GospelSimplicity

Жыл бұрын

Indeed he was

@frandrewstephendamick

Жыл бұрын

Tolkien has lots of non-Catholic readers. :)

@ChristopherDancy

Жыл бұрын

@@frandrewstephendamick you don't have to be Catholic to read Tolkien?

@F2222m

Жыл бұрын

@@frandrewstephendamick alright alright you win 🤝😁

@specialteams28

Жыл бұрын

And the Hobbit and LOTRs were guided by and reflect Roman Catholic Christianity. Tolkien wrote the books to indirectly Catechise Catholic youth who were still too young to understand high Theology from The doctors of the Church. It would make sense that many non-Catholics would love the stories. They’re not normally linked with the dirty “C” word that Protestants, atheists, and secularists have worked so hard to slander and discourage so many from taking an honest look at what the Church really is.

20 Ways The Lord of the Rings Is Both Christian and Catholic STAN WILLIAMS J.R.R. Tolkien wrote, "The Lord of the Rings is of course a fundamentally religious and Catholic work; unconsciously so at first, but consciously in the revision." [1] By design The Lord of the Rings is not a Christian allegory but rather an invented myth [2] about Christian and Catholic truths. But that presents a problem for filmakers. Because the Christian" Our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. (Eph. 6:12) "and when it comes to movies, audiences must SEE everything and anything that is important to the story. So, the conflict cannot be something the protagonist engages on purely a spiritual or emotional level - such as guilt, forgiveness, justification, or redemption. The source of the conflict has to be visible. Luckily - no, let's make that Providentially - Tolkien spent a life time sub-creating (as he called it) a Middle-earth that contains physical entities representing all that is good and bad in our Earthly journeys. There are Dwarves, Elves, Orcs, Wizards, Hobbits, Ents, Trolls, Wraiths, Uruk-hais and at least one Balrog - all with their own languages, culturs, history, and myths - to mix it up with humans in a grand and epic battle with evil. But a battle against evil alone does not make The Lord of the Rings fundamentally Christian and Catholic; and yet there are many ways that it is. Below are a few of these and one that is unique to Jackson's films. Can you tell which one it is? A Christian Myth Here are some of the ways The Lord of the Rings is a Christian myth. Darkness pervades Middle-earth where man, beast and nature are called to an adventure full of peril and hope. Here is how Elijah Wood explains the film's dominant theme: â??No matter how bad things are, no matter how much evil there is in this world, there is always some good worth fighting for, worth standing up for, and worth some effort in carrying on.â? [3] The One Ring illustrates how evil can entice and enslave. Beautiful gold rings are enticing to wear. But when we slip them on our fingers we announce our devotion and loyalty to their owner. Gandalf and Saruman, while not analogous, have traits, goals, and experiences similar to those of Jesus and Satan.Gandalf is even tempted in a battle with Saruman not unlike Christ is tempted by Satan in the wilderness. Evil is parasitic and can only destroy that which was created. Everything that Ilúvatar (God) created in Middle-earth (and in our world) is good. It is the perversion and corruption of what was created that is evil. Good can exist on its own. Evil can only live off what is good. Like all Chritians, Frodo is called to risk his life through great peril to save others. Frodo, like us, does not appear to be up to the task. He does not have any obvious talent suited for war. But he is chosen, as we are. We are all necessary for God's grand plan to be fulfilled; and even the most unlikely and disgusting Gollum-like beast in our life is necessary. And when Frodo asks, "What can a little hobbit do?" - Isaiah answers, "A little child will lead them" (11:6). In the Shire, the Hobbits come naturally to living a beatific life that Christ calls Christians to live by. The Hobbits are the meek that inherit the earth, the merciful who receive mercy, the pure in heart, and the peacemakers. (Mt. 5:3-12) Like all Christians, Tolkien's characters are called to play roles in a story tht is much greater and more important than they are aware. Just as we are not aware of all that has happened before us, [4] so Gandalf, at the end of The Hobbit, says to Bilbo, "You don't really suppose, do you, that all your adventures and escapes were managed by mere luck, just for your sole benefit? "you are only quite a little fellow in a wide world after all!" There is a longing for the return of the king. As Christians long for the return of Christ the King, so the free people of Middle-earth long for their kingdoms to be once more united in peace and justice under the rightful heir. Did I mention that Aragorn looks like Christ? The Fellowship of the Ring is constituted of different characters with different gifts suited for battling evil - the diversity keeps them united. This is not unlike the diversity of spiritual gifts and temporal talents given to the different members of the Christian community for the unity of the body - so that we might be dependent on each other. Upon leaving Lorien, each of the Fellowship members are given custom fitted Elvish hooded cloaks not unlike St. Paul's amour in Ephesians 6:10-17. Again, Tolkien disliked allegory; so the cloaks are not exactly like St. Paul's amour of salvation. But they do have mystical traits of great aid that keep them safe in their battle with evil. A Catholic Core The Lord of the Rings is also Catholic. Tere are sacraments not symbols. For their journey, Galadriel graciously bestows upon the Fellowship - a representation of the church - seven mystical gifts; no mere symbols these, but glimmering reflections of the Church's seven sacraments - the conveying of spiritual grace through temporal rites. And at her Mirror, Galadriel derides the Reformers' taunt of Eucharistic magic in the Mass when she says: "For this is what your folk would call magic, I believe; though I do not understand clearly what they mean; and they seem to use the same words for the deceits of the enemy." (353) As grace and creation is experienced through a sacrament, so control and destruction is experienced through an anti-sacrament - the One Ring. The ring that Frodo bears is not symbolic, but rather operates as an anti-sacrament. Dependent on a person's spiritual disosition, a sacrament literally allows grace and life to flow into a person through the physical realm. Likewise in Middle-earth, the characters' spiritual disposition makes them more or less susceptible to the anti-sacrament power of the ring, which if worn, literally brings evil and destruction upon the bearer. The protagonists pursue absolutes, rejecting any willingness to compromise or relativize. In Middle-earth there is an absoluteness of what is right and wrong. There is no hint of moral relativism that separates the different peoples, races, or creators of the freelands. Aragorn says to Eomer: "Good and ill have not changed since yesteryear; nor are they one thing among Elves and Dwarves and another among men." (428) The protagonists embrace suffering as a requirement of working out their salvation. It isn't enough to simply believe or have faith To be free of the tyranny of evil each of our protagonists must sacrifice, and work hard through great peril to secure their salvation and the right ordering of their world. The Shire, described as the ideal community, reflects the social teachings of Catholicism. The Hobbits benefit from a community structure with little formal organization and less conflict. They work only enough to survive and otherwise enjoy each other's company. There is no jealousy, no greed, and rarely does anyone do anything unexpected. There is a wholeness and graciousness about it that seems to come naturally out of selflessness. Gandalf, the steward of all things good in the world, reflects the papacy. Gandalf is leader of the free and faithful. He is steward of all things good in the world, but he claims rule over no land. As the Popes of history di with kings and emperors of our world, so Gandalf crowns the king and blesses him to rule with justice and peace. Middle-earth ideology reflects a corporate moral hierarchy and not individualism. There is no democracy or republic in Middle-earth. There are spiritual leaders like Gandalf, and Kings like Theoden and Elessar with lords and vassals. There is no defense of individualism, no claim of choice, and no justification for an individual to follow his conscience. There is a mystical Lady, like The Blessed Mother, who responds miraculously to pleas for help.The Lady is named Varda (or in Elvish, Elbereth or star-queen) and although she is never seen, she's is described as holy and queenly; and when her name is invoked - "O Elbereth! Gilthoniel! - as Frodo and Sam do on occasion, miracles follow that protect the quest and defeat the present enemy. The sign of the cross.At the end of the first movie (and the beginning of the second book) Aragorn kneels beside the mortally wounded Boromir - and as he dies, Aragorn makes a rudimentary sign of the cross touching first his forehead and then his lips. It is a salute to Avatar, the One who created all. There is a last sharing of cup and bread, not unlike O.T. manna and its fulfillment in The Eucharist.Before the Fellowship departs from Lorien, Galadriel bids each to participate in a farewell ritual and drink from a common cup. More significant is the mystical Elvish food given to the fellowship - lembas or waybread. A small amount of this supernatural nourishment will sustain a traveler fo many days. All of this should make viewing or reading The Lord of the Rings a more interesting and insightful experience for both Christians and Catholics. A fuller description of these themes can be found in the following books that were used for this article.

@alhilford2345

Жыл бұрын

Thank you.

🍒🪵🍒🪵🍒🪵🍒🪵🍒HOW TO BE SAVED: There Is only one God, in three persons, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. ONE God. Humans are ONE person ( in three parts) The body, soul and spirit. Three parts, ONE person. The Bible says that we are all sinners. As it is written: There is none righteous , no not one. Romans 3:10 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.Romans 3:23 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousness are as filthy rags. Isaiah 64:6 For the wages of sin is death. Romans 6:23 (The word death in this verse means eternal separation from God in hell). Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow. Isaiah 1:18 Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures and that He was buried and that He rose again the third day according to the scriptures. 1Corinthians 15:3-8 In whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins. Colossians 1:14 For by grace ye are saved, through faith; and not of yourselves. It is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast. Ephesians 2:8-9 I do not frustrate the grace of God, for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain. Galatians 2:21 If you would like to receive Jesus as your Savior. Realize that you are a hopeless sinner and tell Jesus that you trust in Him and only Him to save you from hell. Your trust in Jesus and His shed blood on the cross to pay for your sins, is what saves you from hell. The moment you trust in Jesus and only Jesus, you are saved. Then, you should be baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Really enjoying this talk in general, but the dig at the Soviet attempt to democratize society is unfortunate and comes across as lazy. Saying this prayerfully and with love

@gillianc6514

Жыл бұрын

agreed. And there is plenty of fine Soviet architecture: find me a capitalist shopping mall with the beauty of the Moscow metro. Living as I do in an ex-Soviet bloc country, it is the post Soviet stuff which rips the heart out of the community. Post-Soviet is the only era where buildings are neither built for people or for God, just for profit.

@pmoore512

Жыл бұрын

@@gillianc6514 absolutely! Thank you for pointing out the beauty of a lot of Soviet architecture. I've never been to a former Soviet bloc country, but I have seen pictures, and the explosion of love and creativity that characterized a society of people shaking off their chains and standing up is so beautiful to me. And yeah, can totally be seen in the architecture. Also really love a lot of the architecture in Pyongyang.

@KG004

Жыл бұрын

do you know what democratize means?

@gillianc6514

Жыл бұрын

@@KG004 yes, for whatever faults the Soviet system had, it brought many millions out of grinding poverty and gave them a voice, which is the essence of democracy. Ask yourself if what the West is currently fighting for in any way shape or form represents a democracy.

@KG004

Жыл бұрын

@@gillianc6514 no it did not. it put people in poverty and took away their freedom. they had no voice. talk to people who escaped. people were starved, tortured and killed. you can talk to people who have lived through it Father's remark was not lazy, if anything it was too kind.