J.R.R. Tolkien, a devout Catholic, explicitly disliked direct allegory in his work, but acknowledged that Christian themes and symbolism unconsciously imbued his writing. Gandalf is not a one-to-one representation of Jesus, but he does embody many Christ-like aspects.
Several commentators have seen Gandalf's passage through the Mines of Moria, dying to save his companions and returning as "Gandalf the White", as a symbol of the resurrection of Christ.
Although Frodo emerges as the most obvious Christ figure, it should be remembered that Tolkien disliked formal or crude allegory. As such, Frodo is only a Christ figure insofar as he is the Ring-Bearer, and insofar as the Ring can be seen to signify Sin.
Pearce claims that although he acknowledges Frodo as a Christ Figure, he is “only a Christ Figure insofar as he is the Ring-bearer and insofar as the Ring can be seen to symbolize sin” (Pearce 98), but this too is inaccurate because of several factors, chief among them Frodo's willingness to sacrifice himself for the ...
'Fundamentally Religious'
Tolkien responded that he thought he understood exactly what Murray meant. Then he made his now-famous, often-quoted declaration: “The Lord of the Rings is of course a fundamentally religious and Catholic work; unconsciously so at first, but consciously in the revision” (172).
JRRT: It takes a fantastic will to unbelief to suppose that Jesus never really 'happened', and more to suppose that he did not say the things recorded of him—so incapable of being 'invented' by anyone in the world at that time: such as 'before Abraham came to be I am' (John viii).
LOTR is one of the most Christian work of art in last hundred years. LOTR is story of Christianity wrapped in fantasy. I know of a case when an atheist who was LOTR fan converted to Christianity. He said that he had no problems with accepting Christian moral and worldview because he already got them from LOTR.
In this story, there isn't one Christ figure, but three. Aragorn is one, journeying from ranger to king like Christ's slow revelation as Messiah and King...
Rowling's novel depicts the young fictional protagonist Harry potter as a Christ figure, sacrificing himself for the sake of others. The author J. K. Rowling uses the Christ-figure as a literary technique by drawing allusions between the central character Harry Potter, and that of figure of Jesus Christ.
He was known by many names during the long years he remained in Middle-earth: Elves named him Mithrandir, the Grey Pilgrim, while the men of Arnor named him Gandalf, which became his most common name. He was also known as Incánus in the south, and Tharkûn to the Dwarves.
In this thesis on J. R. R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings it is argued that the apparently simple character Samwise Gamgee (Sam) emerges as an intermittent but increasingly important figure of Christ.
'The word God is for me nothing but the expression and product of human weaknesses,' Einstein wrote to Gutkind, 'the Bible a collection of venerable but still rather primitive legends. No interpretation, no matter how subtle, can (for me) change anything about this.
In Letter 294 to Charlotte and Denis Plimmer, Tolkien stated: Naming me among the 'principal collaborators' was an undeserved courtesy on the part of the editor of the Jerusalem Bible. I was consulted on one or two points of style, and criticized some contributions of others.
For Catholics and other Christians. Here are the reasons Lord of the Rings is acceptable for Christians while Harry Potter is not: There is less magic in Tolkien's works and it is more subtle. It cannot be wielded without some kind of moral and spiritual context.
Tolkien stated in the foreword to the second edition of The Lord of the Rings that, "it is neither allegorical nor topical ... I cordially dislike allegory in all its manifestations ...
In layman's terms - Gandalf is an angel in the form of a human, sent by the gods to help people. He is of the same 'race' as Sauron, Balrogs, and the other Wizards. As for the in-universe explanation, here's a brief history: There exists a supreme being, called Eru.
God will never force Himself on anyone. All He ever asks is that you acknowledge that love and except the gift of His only Son Jesus Christ, who died on the cross for you. You can trust the one who died for you! He is standing right there beside you just waiting for you to say "Yes"!
Christianity Today published an editorial in favour of the books in January 2000, calling the series a "Book of Virtues" and averring that, although "modern witchcraft is indeed an ensnaring, seductive false religion that we must protect our children from", this does not represent the Potter books, which have " ...
Daniel Radcliffe is playing an angel in his latest role, but in real life, he doesn't believe in God. “I personally am agnostic leaning toward atheism,” Radcliffe tells The Post. “I don't expect there to be a God and an afterlife — I would be pleasantly surprised if there was.” Why is Harry Potter discussing theology?
Aragorn (Christ the King) was the long-awaited king of Men, who would take up lordship over the (western) world. Gandalf (Christ the Prophet), "the servant of the secret fire" (i.e. God), was sent by the Lords of Valinor ("angels of heaven") to guide and assist Men in defeating evil.
Legolas is a Sindarin Elf from the Woodland Realm of Northern Mirkwood. His father, Thranduil, is the King of the Silvan Elves living in that realm, making Legolas the Prince of Mirkwood.
The fairest way to put the relationship between Tolkien's fictional writings and his Christianity may be this: In the characters and situations of his "new myth," Tolkien naturally reflected the Christian grace he had experienced in his own life as a devout Roman Catholic.
Tolkien believed that God was transcendent and existed beyond Space and Time. After establishing a few basic theological and philosophical underpinnings, Tolkien lets his characters, and readers, deal with these questions.
In fact, the Bible is silent about rings being good or bad when it comes to marriage. The wedding ring is simply a symbol. A sign. It doesn't make a marriage holy or unholy.
His friend Robert Havard described “the depth of feeling behind his Roman Catholic religious convictions.” The chaplain who attended Tolkien during a hospital stay late in his life stated that “he was a committed Christian and a committed Catholic, and his faith meant everything to him.