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Scholarly Pursuits  by Antane 3 Review(s)
PSWReviewed Chapter: 3 on 9/6/2016
Freedom is the ability to turn away from what we want in order to do that which we know we should. I do love the line in the ROTK movie between Theoden and his men -- 'Too few have come. We cannot defeat the armies of Mordor.' 'No we cannot. But we will meet them in battle nonetheless.'

So much inspiration throughout this wonderful story...

Thanks for writing!

Author Reply: Thanks for reviewing! :) Yes indeed, this whole story is soaked in inspiration. :)

Namarie, God bless, Antane :)

CairistionaReviewed Chapter: 3 on 5/5/2013
I've only just found time to read these and decided to start with this essay, and such a profound essay it is!

"It is this potent combination of the use of free will to embrace the divine will even at great cost to oneself that makes this tale resonate with how we should live our own lives."

This really identifies perfectly what I love so much about Tolkien's works and The Lord of the Rings in particular... they really do inspire one to look at the way we must live our own lives and realize that, though the road is difficult, if we embrace it, the end result will be well worth it, because:

"If God has prepared good works for us for walk in (Ephesians 2:10), then it is a joy and a wonder to walk in them. If God is working in us both to will and to work for his good pleasure (Philippians 2:13), then it is our delight and our fulfillment to realize that we are doing exactly what was planned for us to do all along."

I can't imagine anyone putting it any better!

Author Reply: Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed the essay so much! That quote about good works comes from one of my favorite books. :)

Namarie, God bless, Antane :)

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 3 on 1/28/2013
And the road that led to Mordor traveled through Rivendell, Lothlorien, and Minas Tirith; then led through Mordor to Tol Eressea and a healing/blessing that neither Frodo nor Sam could have come to by any other path. In this way salvation worked backwards, as noted by Lewis in "The Great Divorce," to hallow even the most dread and evil of experiences both knew.

Author Reply: I haven't read that book by Lewis but I like his observation. I love the way you speak of the roads to and from Mordor. Indeed the only way Frodo could have gone West was to first travel east. Would he have shone so brightly as Gandalf foresees in Rivendell if he had not endured what he had? I kinda think not.

Namarie, God bless, Antane :)

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