Over at the Notion Club Papers blog, I have discussed an interesting essay from the Tree of Woe website, in which the author draws analogies, and inspiration, from the example of Elendil in rebuilding Arnor and Gondor from the remains of Numenor.
If you want to comment (but not anonymously!) - it is probably better to leave socio-political comments here, and Tolkien-related comments over at the Notion Club Papers.
3 comments:
Another serendipitous post for me; thank you! My browser isn’t letting me scroll up to quote properly, but your description of “moralistic hedonism” is exactly what I’ve been struggling with in a family confrontation for the past month (decades, really). Many Christians I respect assure me that God provides all the answers- well, that has not been my experience. But He has given me one very clear instruction in this conflict and even so the temptation is so great to minimize it, not to follow it, based on an infinite list of materialist “what ifs”. Don’t burn bridges, go along to get along, to each his own, etc. etc. And on the other side “Horde books/gold/land, hide in the woods, grow your own food” etc. Like you, I have concluded there cannot yet be an answer. Patience is not my strong suit but has been a consistent instruction from God also in my life. Real faith is so often overwhelmed by a need to fix it! Now! Fortunately God *is* patient.
@Mia - It seems a big error to expect and seek the answers from God - because if God merely wanted us to follow instructions, there would be no freedom - and in general the world would be very different from what it is.
It seems to me that God wants us to work out as much as possible for ourselves; and then "check it" with the Holy Ghost. Only if we have no idea what to do, or are getting it terribly wrong, would God want to step in and "take over" by providing instructions to follow - but then, only for a while. Until we are set up to do our best for ourselves again.
Thank you for posting the link to this. I initially read the essay through Substack and then seeing you linked to it yesterday made me think on it again. I wish I had more time to expound on my thoughts as they are a mix of socio-political & Tolkien. I will leave it to this: I am thankful for T of W's essay yet, like you, I don't agree with the Age of Elendil transition, one other Blog Author whom I respect called us all "Elindalins". I do think as Tolkien put it we are in the in a late 4th Age. Again, thank you for your thoughts
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