Recently, I have read many different writings concerning the works of the late professor J.R.R. Tolkien, primarily The Lord Of The Rings which is undoubtedly his greatest masterpiece. However, while reading his histories and notes, I have learned some things that may help people who are struggling with the issue of 'magic.'

 I have noticed that some critics believe this trilogy is wicked and even claim it is full of witchcraft, comparing it to J.K Rowling’s Harry Potter  and other such stories. I would like to say that I believe these arguments to be entirely groundless and I will now do my best to disprove them and point out something great and inspirational in his books.

One problem that many people have with Tolkien’s books is that he uses magical elements in them. In Deut 18: 9-14 and Ex 22:18 the use of magic, witchcraft and all other forms of divination is clearly forbidden to us. Yet Tolkien, a strict Roman Catholic, still uses such elements in his books! Why is this?

Well, here is an interesting question: what is “magic,” really?  “Magic” really means “power.” The reason that we look on it with such abhorrence is that it was originally, and generally is today, power given to people by demons.  This is sometimes called “witchcraft” (although witches will deny this) It is always utterly wrong- no matter what purpose it is used for. This is really the type of magic referred to in the Bible from which God commands the people of Israel to abstain. However, the word 'magic' doesn't always mean the same thing.  There is “illusion” which is not “magic” at all but is actually just a trick played on the eyes.  Magic tricks with cards are an example of this or when a man on stage tricks the crowd.

Then there is “fairytale magic” which is entirely pretend. It is the make-believe kind of magic that allows the “little fairies to turn toy bunnies into real rabbits” and it is lavishly used in fairy-tales and has nothing to do with witchcraft (Although some fairytales have witchcraft in them but almost always this person is portrayed as wicked.)  Tolkien took the word 'magic' and used it, as well.  But why? And why did he write his books in the way he did? 

Well, when you write a story that has supernatural elements in it, you have two choices: The first is to refer openly to God and angels, etc. When you do this, your writing will be clear and understood, but nonbelievers will not necessarily be interested in your story and you will not always reach everyone who could benefit from your work. The second choice you have when writing such a story is to use  fairytale elements which is something everyone can understand and relate to.  Who doesn't know the story of Sleeping Beauty?   C.S. Lewis and Tolkien both chose this way of writing, taking pagan beliefs and culture, discarding what they thought was not acceptable and putting everything else under the authority of the one true King, thus redeeming mythology by extracting truth from it.” 

Now, one important fact about Tolkien’s books that many people miss is  that Middle-Earth is a different world than ours. When Tolkien wrote The Lord Of The Rings he was creating a different reality. The world he created had different rules than ours with different creatures altogether.  It was make-believe.  This world had a creator named Eru Iluvatar, meaning 'One Father of All'. It also had the Ainur, who worked for Eru and were powerful beings.  They had different levels of power. These can be likened to angels on our earth.  In fact, one of these beings revolted against Eru and came to Middle Earth and was evil Sauron's boss.  (Doesn't that sound like Satan?)  Well, Gandalf was also one of these beings who served Eru.  He was not a human.  Neither was Saruman who had also revolted against Eru.  When you understand that Tolkien's world was actually very similar to the Bible, you realize that he was not misusing magic at all! 

Tolkien explained in one of his letters that the Elves “magic” was really an advanced form of art.  And if you notice, the Elves cannot do anything spectacular like the wizards (angels) but they can create unnaturally beautiful things.  At first, this may seem a little peculiar but consider this: The Elves are not like the mortal men.  They are immortal and were created before Men.  They have, therefore, special rights not granted to Men. Men, Hobbits, and Dwarves are not allowed to use magic!

 Some people mistakenly think Gandalf is a figure of Christ.  This is not true.  He was merely a being like an angel.  And after he defeated the dark spirit in the Mines of Moria, he seems to have been promoted to a type of archangel.  Because Tolkien used the word, 'wizard', this has confused and frightened some people.  But when you begin to understand what he meant, you realize it has nothing to do with the definition of 'wizard' in the sense of one using witchcraft.

The Lord Of The Rings trilogy centers mainly around Frodo’s quest to destroy the Ring of Power and Aragorn’s return to the throne which rightfully belongs to him. Frodo and Aragorn (along with their other companions) are not allowed to use magic and the story does not focus on that. This was a hedge Tolkien put around his book so that the story would not make people want to study magic but would really draw their attention to the lives of people who fulfilled their task without using magic but by making right choices.

In Tolkien’s world of Middle Earth, he redeems magic by defining it as “power” again. He invents a new world but the more you read about his world, the more you realize how much he borrowed from what he knew and believed about our world. He does this because he wants to show us things that we may not want to accept if he does not disguise them.  Just as Jesus used stories to reach the crowds, Tolkien has attempted to do the same.

I am going to close this article with a quote from Tolkien:

“After all, I believe that legends and myths are largely made of “truth” and, indeed present aspects of it that can only be received in this mode; and long ago certain truths and modes of this kind were discovered and must always reappear.” –J.R.R. Tolkien 

-Frodo