Rating: 
Summary: Only Scratches the Surface
Review: The authors make a valiant effort here to bring some of their own respect for Tolkien's work into the light of Scriptural themes. What I expected to be an in-depth look at "The Lord of the Rings" turns out to be more like a daily devotional, with short chapters that sum up Biblical ideas as seen in Tolkien's work. The idea is laudable; the execution only scratches the surface.First, let's make it clear that Tolkien never intended his works to be allegorical--most fans know this already. On the other hand, he said that "In 'The Lord of the Rings' the conflict is not basically about 'freedom', though that is naturally involved. It is about God, and His sole right to divine honour." (The Letters of JRR Tolkien, pg. 243) It is impossible to read Tolkien without taking into account the context of his faith. For that reason, "Finding God in the Lord of the Rings" is a book that many have waited for. While it may satisfy the thirst of some, it will only whet the appetite for others. Overall, I recommend what the authors have done here. They write clearly and with great affection for Tolkien's writing; they speak plainly of Godly characteristics throughout this fantasy epic; they do not, however, plunge headlong into the deeper waters that I hoped to explore. I'll enjoy this book as a coffee-table piece, one to be thumbed through for daily thoughts and encouragements. For more insight to Tolkien's meanings, I'll turn back to his own letters.
Rating: 
Summary: find god in tolkien???
Review: the idea of finding god in tolkiens works is absolutely ridiculous. if tolkien knew such a work of literary garbage existed using the title of his books he would roll over in his grave. don't waste your money.
Rating:
Summary: Nearly Disgusting
Review: The Lord of the Rings is, indeed, one of the most amazing peices of literary work ever written. I was astonished and ashamed to find that something-to-prove evangelists managed to churn out this tripe to try to, once again, take credit for ideals and morals that are NOT born from their religion, but simply inborn in the human psyche.
It nearly ruins the trilogy knowing that some people are trying to take an incredible story like this and turn it into affirmation for their own religious beliefs. You don't need a religion to adhere to morality, and THAT is why Tolkien repeatedly denied that he wrote this book as a sort of retelling of the gospel.
Rating: 
Summary: Read the intro and epilogue, then decide
Review: The negative reviewers did not read page 13 of the intro? "We wrote this book to help fans..discover how the rich fabric of Tolkien's fantasy ENHANCES a Christian understanding of our real world...It is not..a covert allegory of the gospel." This book is a series of reflections on how the story parallels other timeless real and fictional stories and how we might apply the points. It is encouraging to someone who has not delved into the bible but can can get their mind around Tolkien. It might pique curiosity enough to get them to crack a bible open. On the other hand, I can also say it is very encouraging to someone who is not a reader of fantasy at all. It has opened the world of that genre which I have ignored. I've noticed that some people are afraid of the "darkness" in that genre for themselves or kids. This book will help help them understand the point and be more comfortable with that.
Rating:
Summary: Homilies inspired by Tolkien
Review: There's a lot of Christian, and specifically Catholic, symbolism, theology, and morality in =LotR=, but that's not quite what this book is about. For that you'd be better advised to turn to Joseph Pearce's =Tolkien: A Celebration=. Instead, it's a collection of brief essays or sermons in the form of Christian theological and ethical homilies on texts (or more accurately themes) taken from =LotR=, pretty much in chronological order. The lesson is how Tolkien's characters can serve as models for a Christian life and ethical behavior. The authors write in a traditional sermon style, and as is typical of sermons they quickly leave the text behind, moving to Biblical parallels and broader considerations which the texts inspire or exemplify.
What theis essentially Protestant books mostly leave out of their discussion of Tolkien's Catholic work is consideration of the roles of worship, iconography and symbolism, and holy awe in =LotR=. But though selective, it does not distort. Unlike someone's aborted attempt to teach the business secrets of Tolkien's characters, at least these lessons fit. For Tolkien studies, the main value is the demonstration that his characters =are= ethical, and that ethics were thus basic to the author. Sermons like these could not easily be written on many other fantasy novels.
Rating:
Summary: Pablum
Review: This book is horribly superficial, and the writer shows a very clear failure to understand many of the themes in LOTR. This is not finding God in LOTR, but how to use LOTR as a blunt instrument in proselytizing for evangelical christianity; emphasis on "blunt".
Rating:
Summary: Inpiring & no allegory
Review: This book is inspirational. I, a Christian having reread Tolkien's books many times, have succumbed to the chief temptation: Using allegory, I have tried to harness the reason for The Lord of the Rings' inspirational power. I could tell you at length how Frodo, Aragorn, and Gandalf each fit archetypes found in Christ. Tolkien, having written a large essay on the nature of fairy tales, clearly stated that his books are not allegories. Accordingly, this book does not force allegorical interpretation onto its readers. However, it does assume Tolkien's statement, "God is the Lord, of angels, and of men - and of elves." Each chapter starts with a quote from Tolkien and ends with a reflection, a principle found both in the Bible and in The Lord of the Rings. I have intuitively held these principles during my life, but this book has helped me to realize them (art imitating life). They are the impetus behind my ongoing desire to reread Tolkien. I also was able to observe differences between archetypes and allegory. The book's chief principle stems from Kurt Bruner's other book The Divine Drama. It seems to me that we have a tendency to get caught up in our own `smaller' soap-opera stories, but Bruner emphasizes our place as characters in a larger, epic drama on the scale of Paradise Lost or The Silmarillion. If you, while reading, feel that the authors have imposed their views onto Tolkien's writing, then skip ahead to the Epilogue. It explains why they wrote this particular book. I recommend this book even to those outside the Christian faith because it will help you realize powerful, archetypal aspects of story (and maybe find God too, though that's your personal decision). Besides, you should have no trouble reading this book in two hours.
Rating:
Summary: Inpiring & no allegory
Review: This book is inspirational. I, a Christian having reread Tolkien's books many times, have succumbed to the chief temptation: Using allegory, I have tried to harness the reason for The Lord of the Rings' inspirational power. I could tell you at length how Frodo, Aragorn, and Gandalf each fit archetypes found in Christ. Tolkien, having written a large essay on the nature of fairy tales, clearly stated that his books are not allegories. Accordingly, this book does not force allegorical interpretation onto its readers. However, it does assume Tolkien's statement, "God is the Lord, of angels, and of men - and of elves." Each chapter starts with a quote from Tolkien and ends with a reflection, a principle found both in the Bible and in The Lord of the Rings. I have intuitively held these principles during my life, but this book has helped me to realize them (art imitating life). They are the impetus behind my ongoing desire to reread Tolkien. I also was able to observe differences between archetypes and allegory. The book's chief principle stems from Kurt Bruner's other book The Divine Drama. It seems to me that we have a tendency to get caught up in our own 'smaller' soap-opera stories, but Bruner emphasizes our place as characters in a larger, epic drama on the scale of Paradise Lost or The Silmarillion. If you, while reading, feel that the authors have imposed their views onto Tolkien's writing, then skip ahead to the Epilogue. It explains why they wrote this particular book. I recommend this book even to those outside the Christian faith because it will help you realize powerful, archetypal aspects of story (and maybe find God too, though that's your personal decision). Besides, you should have no trouble reading this book in two hours.
Rating:
Summary: "god in LOTR?" Which one?
Review: This book is laughable. The unfortunate truth is that this book, like all religions, is a fairy tale. The good news is that unlike christianity, no one has been murdered, raped, or otherwise brutalized in the name of Tolkien's masterpieces. My advice is to read LOTR with an OPEN mind. Appreciate the books for their own merit and don't attempt to associate them with your religious beliefs. Their content is wholly allegorical. Period. Those who find confirmation of a biblical god in these works are the same unfortunates who find the virgin mary in a lopsided bagel.
Rating:
Summary: Making quick money
Review: This book theories on that The Lord of the rings is a covert allegory of the Gospel.
If you are any fan of Tolkien you probably know that the one thing he hated more than anything was just that; allegory's. In my opinion, this book only sells the opinions of its writers and has nothing to do with Tolkien who always thought that every reader should interpit his books in his own way. An easy way to make some quick bucks in my opinion, buy some of Tolkiens work instead and make up your own mind.
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