Exploring the Christian Dimensions in Tolkien’s World – A Lord of the Rings Spiritual Retreat w/ Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcast
In this episode, host Kris McGregor engages in a profound dialogue with Father Timothy Gallagher about the Christian underpinnings in J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings.” Father Gallagher delves into the non-allegorical but deeply Christian and Catholic elements of Tolkien’s masterpiece. He clarifies that while “The Lord of the Rings” is set in a pre-Christian era and does not explicitly reference Christianity, its truth and values are significantly shaped by Tolkien’s Christian worldview.
The conversation highlights the intentional absence of allegory in Tolkien’s writing, his preference for history (real or feigned), and the varied applicability of his stories to the reader’s experience. Father Gallagher emphasizes the deep impact of the narrative’s characters, their struggles, and the underlying thread of providence, drawing parallels to real-life challenges and choices. Kris and Father Gallagher explore the compelling nature of Tolkien’s writing and the profound way it speaks to the human heart, offering insights for those embarking on the spiritual journey through Middle-earth. This episode offers a unique perspective on how Tolkien’s faith subtly yet powerfully influenced one of the most beloved stories in literature.
He paused, and then said slowly in a deep voice: ‘This is the Master-ring, the One Ring to rule them all. This is the One Ring that he lost many ages ago, to the great weakening of his power. He greatly desires it – but he must not get it.’
Frodo sat silent and motionless. Fear seemed to stretch out a vast hand, like a dark cloud rising in the East and looming up to engulf him. ‘This ring!’ he stammered. ‘How, how on earth did it come to me?’
Tolkien, J.R.R.. The Fellowship of the Ring: Being the First Part of The Lord of the Rings (pp. 50-51). Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Kindle Edition.
‘There was more than one power at work, Frodo. The Ring was trying to get back to its master. It had slipped from Isildur’s hand and betrayed him; then when a chance came it caught poor Déagol, and he was murdered; and after that Gollum, and it had devoured him. It could make no further use of him: he was too small and mean; and as long as it stayed with him he would never leave his deep pool again. So now, when its master was awake once more and sending out his dark thought from Mirkwood, it abandoned Gollum. Only to be picked up by the most unlikely person imaginable: Bilbo from the Shire!
‘Behind that there was something else at work, beyond any design of the Ring-maker. I can put it no plainer than by saying that Bilbo was meant to find the Ring, and not by its maker. In which case you also were meant to have it. And that may be an encouraging thought.’ ‘
It is not,’ said Frodo. ‘Though I am not sure that I understand you. But how have you learned all this about the Ring, and about Gollum? Do you really know it all, or are you just guessing still?’
Tolkien, J.R.R.. The Fellowship of the Ring: Being the First Part of The Lord of the Rings (pp. 55-56). Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Kindle Edition.

Father Timothy M. Gallagher, O.M.V., was ordained in 1979 as a member of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, a religious community dedicated to retreats and spiritual formation according to the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Fr. Gallagher is featured on the EWTN series “Living the Discerning Life: The Spiritual Teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola”.
For more information on how to obtain copies of Fr. Gallaghers’s various books and audio which are available for purchase, please visit his website: frtimothygallagher.org