The First World War began on July 28, 1914, after years of rising tension. The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophie by Gavrilo Princip set off the conflict that soon involved much of Europe, the Middle East, and the United States. During this time, two British thinkers, C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien, found themselves on the battlefield. Their experiences in the war shaped their friendship and influenced their writing, especially their reflections on the problem of evil.
Lewis was not in favor of any kind of organized religion at the time. It was through a conversation on mythology that Lewis’s mind began to transform. Tolkien played a key role in that transformation. The two had witnessed the great evils of the Great War. The mass casualties on both sides of the conflict caused both men to stop and think about how to reconcile the issue of evil and the goodness of God.
Lewis does this by introducing us to a family displaced by war. The Pevensie children are sent off to the Professor’s house and find themselves in an adventurous game of hide and seek. Lucy would find herself hiding in a wardrobe, but it wasn’t any ordinary wardrobe. Past all the coats and other articles of clothing, she finds herself in a land of snow. A land that has been devastated by the power of the White Witch. Lucy is introduced to a mythological, fawn-like creature named Mr. Tumnus. It is here that we catch a glimpse of how Lewis thought. Mr. Tumnus begins to tell Lucy of the problems of Narnia. It’s always winter, but Christmas never comes. That’s a sad thought.
While Tolkien and Lewis were close friends, Tolkien felt that Lewis did not adequately address the issue of evil. Lewis wrote about it in a light-hearted way. Tolkien would write about it in a way that reveals how evil manifests itself, spreading to every aspect of life.
Tolkien’s stories begin in the Shire, home to Bilbo Baggins. Gandalf visits Bilbo and invites him on an adventure with a group of dwarves. Along the way, they meet Gollum, a creature twisted by the power of a magical ring. Bilbo eventually takes the ring home, and years later, his nephew Frodo is called by Gandalf to join the Fellowship of the Ring and destroy it, which has incited greed, anger, and conflict in Middle Earth. The only way to end its evil is to destroy the ring. During these adventures, Gandalf stands out as a Christ-like figure, sacrificing himself to save his friends. Later, he returns, changed and renewed.
Both Lewis and Tolkien incorporate Christ-like figures in their narratives—Aslan in Narnia and Gandalf in Middle Earth. Their wartime experiences influenced the understanding of evil and the possibility of divine goodness within a flawed world. Their enduring friendship facilitated ongoing intellectual exchange, despite occasional disagreements. Both authors ultimately asserted that the eradication of evil is achievable only through the redemptive work of Christ.
While exploring the themes of evil and good Joseph Loconte provides us with ideas that may help build stronger fellowship at MCC.
- Recall personal spiritual growth and inquire about the experiences of others. Reflecting on individual and collective progress underscores the importance of communal living.
- Build communal relationships with others in the congregation. These relationships possess significant value within faith communities and may foster deep connections.
- Friendships and partnerships among MCC members are essential. The friendship between Tolkien and Lewis, shaped by the adversity of war, illustrates the importance of mutual encouragement during times of hardship.
- Remind each other that life is short, and all of us will face death one day; however, for believers, death means being freed from evil and entering a place of goodness—the foundation and purpose of our fellowship.