Global tensions are once again giving way to talk of military conflicts and even war. No one wants that. But just like the years that led up to World War I, the great minds of the time believed humanity was far too civilized to engage in a long drawn out military engagement. They were wrong. The war lasted more than four years and left more than 20 million dead and at least that number wounded. It tested the faith of millions of soldiers and civilians alike. Some lost their faith, others found a deeper more vital version than what they had been taught as children. Among those were two great Christian writers who had a tremendous influence on 20th century culture. Their works are still read today as well as watched because some of their greatest writings were made into major motion pictures. J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis. Tolkien wrote “The Hobbit” and “The Lord of the Rings.” C.S. Lewis gave us “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe,” as well as a host of non-fiction books like “Mere Christianity.” Now, Kings College Professor Joe Loconte is producing a film about Tolkien’s and Lewis’s lifelong friendship. It’s based on his book, “A Hobbit, A Wardrobe, and a Great War”. Check out the trailer. On this episode of Lighthouse Faith podcast, Loconte talks about the mythical stories these men created, about how their critics charged them with escapism for not facing the reality of war, but also, how they actually understood not just war but man’s penchant for evil. Dragons, Witches and Hobbits, are not mere metaphors, but provide incredible insight into the human condition.
