"The long defeat" is indeed essential in understanding Tolkien's mythology. And it can be a Debbie Downer POV. But as you note, living in Protestant triumphalism is also problematic.
Tolkien's theory of eucatastrophe ("On Fairy Stories") is the articulation of the literary solution to the dilemma between the two poles, though. It makes the joy of the miraculous turn in every story more sweet for the defeatist, and reminds the triumphalist that true hope lies not in our own actions (which are nonetheless necessary) but in the One really DID triumph over death. There is a redeemer.
"Oh, that my words were written! Oh, that they were inscribed in a book! Oh, that with an iron pen and lead they were engraved in the rock forever! For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at last He will stand upon the earth; And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. My heart faints within me!"
Those words from Job 19 are Tolkien's vision, written from the point of view and loss and defeat, and yet casting forward toward victory--toward a messiah as yet unseen, just as the denizens of Arda and Middle-earth know nothing of Jesus, who remains far in the future. And yet Jesus is there in the prophecies, and prefigured in Aragorn (Estel, hope) and his return as king as a type of Christ.
I've always wondered that! I've heard folks say online that, "The Church is destined ultimately to fail..." which kind of contradicts the victory Christ won for us and His union with His Church -- if He wins, then ultimately we win. But it's fair to say that, free will being real, there's a tossup as to how many people ultimately choose salvation. Free will means we live in peril--until we die.
Evolution has a bigger (negative) impact on the Catholic Church's influence on society than we realize. I highly recommend reading Hugh Owen, a Catholic researcher who supports a young earth and opposes evolution from a theological and scientific basis.
Thanks for this. Tolkien did indeed have a rather melancholy perspective.
I've found the French Resistance makes for a good metaphor to understand the Church's place in the world. The kingdom of Christ is here, but it isn't fully here. As Christians, we're like the French Resistance fighting the Nazi occupiers. There's no chance we'll actually beat them, but our work is still important because it prepares the way for the Invasion that will set all things right.
Whether we fight, or give in and collaborate, determines our place after the invasion brings Christ's Kingdom to this world.
I find this much more encouraging than "fighting the long defeat."
This is an easy perspective for Protestants because, well, look at the name. For Catholics, as inheritors of a system that once ruled the world of men, it can be hard to have so little power and be waiting for ultimate salvation. I think seeing ourselves as a resistance is crucial though because otherwise there's only depression at the (seeming) unceasing victory of evil.
I first read this idea of devolution in Michael O’Brians work. But I suppose it was there in Tolkien too. “The long defeat.” An apt description of our sad human history sans Christ.
"The long defeat" is indeed essential in understanding Tolkien's mythology. And it can be a Debbie Downer POV. But as you note, living in Protestant triumphalism is also problematic.
Tolkien's theory of eucatastrophe ("On Fairy Stories") is the articulation of the literary solution to the dilemma between the two poles, though. It makes the joy of the miraculous turn in every story more sweet for the defeatist, and reminds the triumphalist that true hope lies not in our own actions (which are nonetheless necessary) but in the One really DID triumph over death. There is a redeemer.
"Oh, that my words were written! Oh, that they were inscribed in a book! Oh, that with an iron pen and lead they were engraved in the rock forever! For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at last He will stand upon the earth; And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. My heart faints within me!"
Those words from Job 19 are Tolkien's vision, written from the point of view and loss and defeat, and yet casting forward toward victory--toward a messiah as yet unseen, just as the denizens of Arda and Middle-earth know nothing of Jesus, who remains far in the future. And yet Jesus is there in the prophecies, and prefigured in Aragorn (Estel, hope) and his return as king as a type of Christ.
Greg! Well met, old friend! (Mae l'ovannen!) It's great to continue our respective decades-long engagement with the works of Tolkien on Substack!
Excellent.
Does not Our Blessed Lord gesture towards the same devolution in Luke 18:8: "When the Son of returns, will He find Faith on earth?"
I've always wondered that! I've heard folks say online that, "The Church is destined ultimately to fail..." which kind of contradicts the victory Christ won for us and His union with His Church -- if He wins, then ultimately we win. But it's fair to say that, free will being real, there's a tossup as to how many people ultimately choose salvation. Free will means we live in peril--until we die.
Evolution has a bigger (negative) impact on the Catholic Church's influence on society than we realize. I highly recommend reading Hugh Owen, a Catholic researcher who supports a young earth and opposes evolution from a theological and scientific basis.
One of his articles can be found here:
https://kolbecenter.org/why-does-it-matter/
Will be thinking about this for a while. Thanks for the visuals!
Thanks for this. Tolkien did indeed have a rather melancholy perspective.
I've found the French Resistance makes for a good metaphor to understand the Church's place in the world. The kingdom of Christ is here, but it isn't fully here. As Christians, we're like the French Resistance fighting the Nazi occupiers. There's no chance we'll actually beat them, but our work is still important because it prepares the way for the Invasion that will set all things right.
Whether we fight, or give in and collaborate, determines our place after the invasion brings Christ's Kingdom to this world.
I find this much more encouraging than "fighting the long defeat."
This is an easy perspective for Protestants because, well, look at the name. For Catholics, as inheritors of a system that once ruled the world of men, it can be hard to have so little power and be waiting for ultimate salvation. I think seeing ourselves as a resistance is crucial though because otherwise there's only depression at the (seeming) unceasing victory of evil.
Backwardism is forwardism.
I first read this idea of devolution in Michael O’Brians work. But I suppose it was there in Tolkien too. “The long defeat.” An apt description of our sad human history sans Christ.