How Middle Earth can inform our own Advent experience.

NEW EPISODE:
[link removed] and Advent
with Holly Ordway ([link removed])

LISTEN TO THE EPISODE NOW ([link removed])
SHARE EPISODE:

[link removed] [link removed] [link removed] mailto:[email protected]?&subject=&cc=&bcc=&body=mailto:[email protected]?&subject=&cc=&bcc=&body=[link removed]

Make an Advent donation to the Living Church!
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ([link removed])
ABOUT THE EPISODE:

In the beginning, creation. Millennia pass. Creatures alternately live peacefully then get it horribly wrong. Long geneologes. The rise of evil kings, good kings, battles and prophecies. A savior riding in on a white horse. And in between the exciting parts, lots and lots of waiting.

Is this the Bible? The spiritual life? Or The Lord of the Rings and Middle Earth legendarium? Yes. And it's chock-full of good stuff for Advent.

So is JRR Tolkein's own life. Today we'll talk with one of Tolkein's biographers, Dr. Holly Ordway. Holly is the Cardinal Francis George Professor of Faith and Culture at the Word on Fire Institute, visiting professor of apologetics at Houston Christian University, and a subject editor for the Journal of Inklings Studies. She has two books you should know about: the award-winning Tolkien’s Modern Reading: Middle-earth Beyond the Middle Ages (Word on Fire Academic, 2021) and her newest book, Tolkien’s Faith: A Spiritual Biography (Word on Fire Academic, 2023).

Advent is a thick time. Within that tapestry we find suffering and grief, waiting and faithfulness, the mysterious timing of providence -- and much to learn from Middle Earth.

But we also get glimpses of what it means to live good life. Good food, a sense of humor, and divine grace are hidden inside Advent, too, if we have humble enough eyes to find them.

Whether Advent is for you like a cozy Hobbit hole full of goodies, or Denethor's grim tower looking out on an uncertain future, or some trippy place in between that I cannot imagine, we hope you enjoy the conversation.
SUPPORT THE SHOW
Like what you hear and want it to continue?
Consider financially supporting The Living Church Podcast. ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------
ABOUT THE PODCAST:
The Living Church Podcast explores ecumenical topics in theology,
the arts, ethics, pastoral care, and spiritual growth —
all to equip and encourage leaders in the Episcopal Church,
Anglican Communion, and beyond.
A ministry of the Living Church Institute

SEE ALL EPISODES ON APPLE PODCASTS ([link removed])
SEE ALL EPISODES ON SPOTIFY ([link removed])
Want to support the show?
Did you know each episode costs $250 to produce? Your support of a small monthly donation will help sustain future episodes.

CLICK HERE TO SUPPORT ([link removed])

============================================================

This email was sent to [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])
why did I get this? ([link removed]) unsubscribe from this list ([link removed]) update subscription preferences ([link removed])
The Living Church . P.O. Box 510705 . Milwaukee, WI 53203 . USA