
190: Why and How The Lord of the Rings is a "Religious and Catholic Work"
12/12/24 • 46 min
JRR Tolkien described The Lord of the Rings as a "fundamentally religious and Catholic work." When this statement isn't outright ignored, it's wildly misunderstood. John Carswell of the Tolkien Road podcast joins me to explore how and why The Lord of the Rings is indeed a religious work.
Listen to The Tolkien Road podcast
Sources mentioned in this episode:
- JRR Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings
- JRR Tolkien's Unfinished Tales
- Letters of JRR Tolkien
(The above are affiliate links, and I may receive a small compensation at no extra cost to you if you purchase—thank you for supporting the show.)
Deals for you, my fellow wanderer
- Exclusive discount for Lore of the Rings Listeners: 25% off your entire order at Manly Bands. Details at https://www.ringspodcast.com/p/rings/
- Order an Oura Ring today and get powerful insights into your health: https://amzn.to/4em6J0A
- Download my FREE guide for reading Tolkien's Silmarillion: https://ringspodcast.kit.com/a982347493
About the Lore of the Rings Podcast
Contact the show, donate, and find past episodes: ringspodcast.com
Embark on an immersive journey through the captivating realms of J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth, where the epic sagas of the Lord of the Rings, the Hobbit, the Silmarillion, and Unfinished Tales, and more come to life. Join us as we delve into the rich tapestry of Tolkien's masterful storytelling, drawing intriguing comparisons between his literary works and the cinematic adaptations crafted by Peter Jackson. Be at the forefront of the latest developments as we explore the highly anticipated Rings of Power series from Amazon. Prepare to be enthralled as we uncover hidden connections, untold tales, and delve into the depths of Middle-earth lore. Tune in now and become part of our fellowship on this extraordinary journey!
This podcast is not affiliated with the Tolkien Estate.
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/ringspodcast/donations
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
JRR Tolkien described The Lord of the Rings as a "fundamentally religious and Catholic work." When this statement isn't outright ignored, it's wildly misunderstood. John Carswell of the Tolkien Road podcast joins me to explore how and why The Lord of the Rings is indeed a religious work.
Listen to The Tolkien Road podcast
Sources mentioned in this episode:
- JRR Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings
- JRR Tolkien's Unfinished Tales
- Letters of JRR Tolkien
(The above are affiliate links, and I may receive a small compensation at no extra cost to you if you purchase—thank you for supporting the show.)
Deals for you, my fellow wanderer
- Exclusive discount for Lore of the Rings Listeners: 25% off your entire order at Manly Bands. Details at https://www.ringspodcast.com/p/rings/
- Order an Oura Ring today and get powerful insights into your health: https://amzn.to/4em6J0A
- Download my FREE guide for reading Tolkien's Silmarillion: https://ringspodcast.kit.com/a982347493
About the Lore of the Rings Podcast
Contact the show, donate, and find past episodes: ringspodcast.com
Embark on an immersive journey through the captivating realms of J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth, where the epic sagas of the Lord of the Rings, the Hobbit, the Silmarillion, and Unfinished Tales, and more come to life. Join us as we delve into the rich tapestry of Tolkien's masterful storytelling, drawing intriguing comparisons between his literary works and the cinematic adaptations crafted by Peter Jackson. Be at the forefront of the latest developments as we explore the highly anticipated Rings of Power series from Amazon. Prepare to be enthralled as we uncover hidden connections, untold tales, and delve into the depths of Middle-earth lore. Tune in now and become part of our fellowship on this extraordinary journey!
This podcast is not affiliated with the Tolkien Estate.
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/ringspodcast/donations
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Previous Episode

189: You Are The Wind | Inspired by "The Rider" from War of the Rohirrim
"The Rider" from the new War of the Rohirrim movie touches my heart, and I know you'll find some courage, hope, and inspiration as we explore these beautiful words and a few passages about Rohan that may have inspired them.
Sources mentioned in this episode:
- JRR Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings
(The above are affiliate links, and I may receive a small compensation at no extra cost to you if you purchase—thank you for supporting the show.)
Deals for you, my fellow wanderer
- Exclusive discount for Lore of the Rings Listeners: 25% off your entire order at Manly Bands. Details at https://www.ringspodcast.com/p/rings/
- Order an Oura Ring today and get powerful insights into your health: https://amzn.to/4em6J0A
- Download my FREE guide for reading Tolkien's Silmarillion: https://ringspodcast.kit.com/a982347493
About the Lore of the Rings Podcast
Contact the show, donate, and find past episodes: ringspodcast.com
Embark on an immersive journey through the captivating realms of J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth, where the epic sagas of the Lord of the Rings, the Hobbit, the Silmarillion, and Unfinished Tales, and more come to life. Join us as we delve into the rich tapestry of Tolkien's masterful storytelling, drawing intriguing comparisons between his literary works and the cinematic adaptations crafted by Peter Jackson. Be at the forefront of the latest developments as we explore the highly anticipated Rings of Power series from Amazon. Prepare to be enthralled as we uncover hidden connections, untold tales, and delve into the depths of Middle-earth lore. Tune in now and become part of our fellowship on this extraordinary journey!
This podcast is not affiliated with the Tolkien Estate.
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/ringspodcast/donations
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Next Episode

191: Should You Watch War of the Rohirrim? A Spoiler-Free Reaction
Thinking about seeing The Lord of the Rings: War of the Rohirrim in theaters but not sure if it’s worth it? This episode is perfect for newcomers and casual fans alike! I break down the film’s story, characters, dialogue, visuals, music, and lore faithfulness, rating each on a 1-5 “wizard staffs” scale. Whether you’re new to Middle-earth or a longtime fan, this spoiler-free reaction will help you decide if this epic journey deserves a trip to the big screen.
Sources mentioned in this episode:
- JRR Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings
- Letters of JRR Tolkien
(The above are affiliate links, and I may receive a small compensation at no extra cost to you if you purchase—thank you for supporting the show.)
Deals for you, my fellow wanderer
- Exclusive discount for Lore of the Rings Listeners: 25% off your entire order at Manly Bands. Details at https://www.ringspodcast.com/p/rings/
- Order an Oura Ring today and get powerful insights into your health: https://amzn.to/4em6J0A
- Download my FREE guide for reading Tolkien's Silmarillion: https://ringspodcast.kit.com/a982347493
About the Lore of the Rings Podcast
Contact the show, donate, and find past episodes: ringspodcast.com
Embark on an immersive journey through the captivating realms of J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth, where the epic sagas of the Lord of the Rings, the Hobbit, the Silmarillion, and Unfinished Tales, and more come to life. Join us as we delve into the rich tapestry of Tolkien's masterful storytelling, drawing intriguing comparisons between his literary works and the cinematic adaptations crafted by Peter Jackson. Be at the forefront of the latest developments as we explore the highly anticipated Rings of Power series from Amazon. Prepare to be enthralled as we uncover hidden connections, untold tales, and delve into the depths of Middle-earth lore. Tune in now and become part of our fellowship on this extraordinary journey!
This podcast is not affiliated with the Tolkien Estate.
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/ringspodcast/donations
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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