Rating: 
Summary: Not a Literary Study, but a Devotional Book
Review: I was very disappointed with this tiny book. I had expected a literary study of Christian themes, the relation between myth and truth, Christ imagery, how prayer works in the books, etc. Instead, what I found was a series of brief chapters in which the authors spend a couple pages rehashing some aspect of the story, then a couple more offering a devotional application to our own lives. This might be suitable for family worship if everyone in the family has seen the movie, but it's of no use to me. To others interested in this Christian themes, I recommend "Tolkien: Author of the Century" and another little book on "Virtues" in "Lord of the Rings," the exact title of which escapes me.
Rating: 
Summary: A book for Questioning parents...
Review: I am an avid Middle-earth fan and a devout Christian. I happened to purchase this book on an impulse because I as curious what angle they would take in it (considering that Tolkien clearly stated he had no "allegory" in mind). I was happy to see that first off the authors made it clear that they are not saying that Tolkien was writing an allegory of Christianinty. In stead, they make the claim that Tolkien's strong Christian beliefs are clearly seen throughout the books (LOTR, the Silmarillion, etc.). With that point, I must strongly agree. As a Christian, I can see countless areas where his beliefs find their way into his books. Honestly, how could you expect anything else? A man's beliefs are going to come out in what he does in life whether he intends them to or not. This book does a good job of pointing out examples of some of those patterns and beliefs for those who may not notice them as easily.On the negative side, the book was a bit less than what I had hoped for. I was expecting a book set up with multiple deep essays on the various subjects, but it not quite as in-depth as I would have liked. It is a good surface analysis, but it fails to go into the depths that the more intense fan would prefer. This is an excellent informative book for parents who are concerened about exposing their children to something that they might be worried about. It is in this regard that the book could do its greatest good because many Christians could end up tossing something out in the name of "evil" that truly can be seen as a testimony of God's glory. Honestly, it a challenge for me to withhold the tears when I am reading Tolkien's work. When I read his words, I see the infinite beauty of God's creation coming forth through the hands of a man who truly realized who his God was.
Rating: 
Summary: Tolkien was a "Knight of Faith"
Review: It's a childhood dream come true to see The Lord of the Rings come to life on the silver screen. Even more thrilling is the possibility of the masses seeing the beauty and truth in the worlds that Tolkien has lovingly and laboriously created. Though we travel with those fighting the "good fight" in the many ages of Middle Earth, clearly and without question Tolkien was showing man to himself and the necessity for man to take the path that does not stray. The consequences conjured in Tolkien's epic create a striking, and chilling metaphor for our times. To read Tolkien and neglect his faith is to only see half of his work, and half his genius. As Finding God in Lord of the Rings advances, Tolkien's greatness lies within his presentation of religious truth. Afterall, it was Tolkien who was in part responsible for C.S. Lewis' conversion from a "blaspheming athiest" to a devout Christian, "suprised by joy."
Rating: 
Summary: Really reaching
Review: I find it rather silly that this book is making the suggestion that Tolkien was making some sort of religious commentary. Why? Because Tolkien himself, in a forward for one edition of the books, says there is no hidden meaning in these books. Christianity or any other modern religion has no place in the fantasy world of Middle Earth.
Rating:
Summary: Not all of us are in-depth kind of people ...
Review: I'm not shallow, but somtimes I need a little help to see what's in front of me. We've all looked at a painting that had hidden figures in it, and we can see most of them, yet know there are more there. This book is like the friend who comes along and gently points out what's right in front of us. I enjoyed it very much.
Rating: 
Summary: Decent Commentary
Review: If you're looking for an explaination of how Tolkien's Christian beliefs are shown in his work this isn't really what you want. I enjoyed the book, but it didn't need the Lord of the Rings slant in order to be written. The author captures basic beliefs of Christianity and connects them to scenes found within the books. It was a nice book that didn't take long to read and just made me reflect upon my Christian beliefs.
Rating:
Summary: Symphony of the Spirit
Review: The authors have, in my opinion, rightly divined the spirit of Tolkien's literary symphony "Lord of the Rings". One of the authors speaks of having visited the English tavern where Tolkien, Lewis, Williams etc. (otherwise known as the Inklings) met to discuss their latest work and to share each other's literary adventures. Because they know Tolkien and his most intimate contemporaries, the authors are able to interpret the deeper spiritual meanings hidden like gem stones in "Lord of the Rings." Although it is true, according to Tolkien, that he did not set out to write a Christian allegory, it is also true that Tolkien could not create a world that would be antithetical to his own spirit. Therefore, in a most wonderful way, Tolkien has created a work, not unlike a symphony of the spirit, in which his most cherished beliefs and values ring forth. In "Finding God in the Lord of the Rings" Bruner and Ware have helped us to understand the various notes and movements in Tolkien's spiritual symphony.
Rating:
Summary: poor contents
Review: you cannot discuss another world with the customs of this world. the world that tolkien had created never existed and it is completely different than this one (and if you have any doubts, take a look at silmarillion). there's a lot of another sort of things to take a look at in a book, you have to live in the world of the writer, not your world. this is what the authors couldn't do in this book. in my opinion, this book is waste of money.
Rating:
Summary: "Daily Iron Rations" Devotional
Review: "Write something devotional-oriented, and not much more complicated than The Prayer of Jabez!" is what I hear the Marketing Department say when I skim through this small (128 pages, 4x6"? 5x7"?) pocket guide to general spiritual truths encapsulated in Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings." This book is tailor-made to the specific crowd that is simply looking for validation as to the "Christianity" of Tolkien's work but doesn't have the time (or desire) to plow through his actual prose or even sit through any of the various Tolkien videos/cinema. Format-wise, it's broken into sections of 3-4 pages apiece, each ending with the fortune-cookie "moral" being espoused by the example. This level of content will be acceptable to the purposes of some. But a REAL exploration this is not -- the secular debates that rage on the two public tolkien newsgroups (rec.art.tolkien) are easily more insightful even in regards to the religious aspects of the books. If you've already thought about the religious content of "The Lord of the Rings," this work will add nothing new to the discussion. And most of the morals are so general that the accompanying text is superfluous -- do we need someone to tell us that Frodo and Sam's relationship (for example) proves the moral that "a friend is helpful in times of trouble?" Scott Peck (author of "The Road Less Traveled") accurately suggests that the character of Gollum is among the most realistic depiction of the nature of evil that he has seen in fiction. Explaining why in a clearer (and less "fluffy") fashion could have made Tolkien's spiritual content relevant to those struggling with *real* temptation/problems/evil in their lives. (Especially, for example, in light of the events of September 11.) I assume that Bruner and co-author have already thought about all this more deeply, but marketers couldn't justify the production cost for a book not tailored to the widest market possible, so they were forced to write a more superficial book. This watered-down text doesn't cure any curiosity about rings and things, nor does it do Tolkien real justice -- especially not at [amt], and at its short length.
Rating:
Summary: Finding God helpful, esp. for those looking
Review: Bruner and Ware write an easy to read book, which could also double as a short 3 week devotion as each chapter ends in a one sentence reflection. The authors use accounts of some strong statements and images from Tolkien's saga to combine them with scripture and theology (not too heavy for the average layperson) in order to make connections between the world of men and the world of elves. A good, quick, easy and enjoyable read. (Note: the epilogue might be a little different for those who are not as "artsy" as some.)
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