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Amid Weeping There is Joy
J. R. R. Tolkien's vision has stirred the imaginations and hearts of countless readers across the globe to surprises and joys that seem new with each reading. In a world bereft of moral imagination, a disenchanted regime that robs the mind of how to understand and love reality, the authors in this volume approach Tolkien from the Tradition of the Eastern Orthodox Church with new insights that challenge the modern moral and imaginative poverty. The authors begin the cartographical task not only of mapping Tolkien’s brilliant worlds through the lens of the Orthodox Church’s life, but also detail how Tolkien can aid us in rescuing our own sight to see the lay of the land as it truly is: not a desiccated multiverse bereft of unity, but a cosmos filled with wonder and enchantment.Essays treat the historical background of Tolkien’s world, the mysteries of divine Providence in a Tolkien’s Middle-Earth, Tolkien’s embrace of the goodness of reality (his anti-Gnosticism), his love of friendship in opposition to modern notions of alienation, Tolkien and medieval English poetry, Orthodoxy and imaginative literature, why fantasy helps our rectify our perspective on the world, marriage in Tolkien’s legendarium, and Tolkien on the world to come.
192 pages, Paperback
Published April 11, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
May 3, 2021
I don’t usually binge-read books for leisure, but I made an exception for this collection of essays, which were like an invitation to a table at the Prancing Pony, or Bag End; and though the speakers were not hobbits, Dwarves or Elves, but priests, academics, and writers, the atmosphere was comfortable and lively enough to keep me listening to their banter for hours.
The introduction by Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick emphasizes the theme of enchantment in Tolkien’s universe, and in ours. His most memorable line, to which I returned several times, is that “the liturgical, ascetical life that is normative for the Orthodox Christian is precisely a programme for enchanting life”. The opening chapter by Cyril Gary Jenkins lays out the historical background of the world Tolkien grew up in—some heady stuff that touches on developments from the Enlightenment to psychoanalysis to the desolation of the First World War. The chapters that follow dive into diverse themes like providence and “chance”; why Tolkien’s works are not gnostic; how The Lord of the Rings is an antidote for the terror and loneliness of totalitarianism; the role of liturgical ritual space in Tolkien’s worldview; the difference between the One Ring and the wedding ring; and how life is an eternal movement toward God in this world and the next.
A chapter on fantasy reading reveals how “good fantasy clears our sight”, so that we might “catch the echo of the morning stars singing for joy”; and both fantasy readers and writers might resonate with author Nicholas Kotar, who provides a defense against the accusation that imaginative literature is a kind of gateway into “witchcraft” and all things spiritually nefarious.
The essays in this book are by “amateurs” (according to the editor), but any weaknesses of style and content were minor relative to the depth and energy of the collection. Each chapter can be read on its own, and any and all of them would be a worthy focus of discussion in a book club.
The worldview and faith that once illuminated the West is fading under the shadows of scientism, consumerism, Googlism, I-ism, and other -isms that swoop about us like Nazgûl on the loose; and among these cultural Ringwraiths is the loss of metaphysical mystery and enchantment. The essays in Amid Weeping There is Joy remind us that imagination, rightly conceived, is apologetics and nourishment. As a good hearth radiates warmth, Tolkien’s legendarium radiates truth.
The introduction by Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick emphasizes the theme of enchantment in Tolkien’s universe, and in ours. His most memorable line, to which I returned several times, is that “the liturgical, ascetical life that is normative for the Orthodox Christian is precisely a programme for enchanting life”. The opening chapter by Cyril Gary Jenkins lays out the historical background of the world Tolkien grew up in—some heady stuff that touches on developments from the Enlightenment to psychoanalysis to the desolation of the First World War. The chapters that follow dive into diverse themes like providence and “chance”; why Tolkien’s works are not gnostic; how The Lord of the Rings is an antidote for the terror and loneliness of totalitarianism; the role of liturgical ritual space in Tolkien’s worldview; the difference between the One Ring and the wedding ring; and how life is an eternal movement toward God in this world and the next.
A chapter on fantasy reading reveals how “good fantasy clears our sight”, so that we might “catch the echo of the morning stars singing for joy”; and both fantasy readers and writers might resonate with author Nicholas Kotar, who provides a defense against the accusation that imaginative literature is a kind of gateway into “witchcraft” and all things spiritually nefarious.
The essays in this book are by “amateurs” (according to the editor), but any weaknesses of style and content were minor relative to the depth and energy of the collection. Each chapter can be read on its own, and any and all of them would be a worthy focus of discussion in a book club.
The worldview and faith that once illuminated the West is fading under the shadows of scientism, consumerism, Googlism, I-ism, and other -isms that swoop about us like Nazgûl on the loose; and among these cultural Ringwraiths is the loss of metaphysical mystery and enchantment. The essays in Amid Weeping There is Joy remind us that imagination, rightly conceived, is apologetics and nourishment. As a good hearth radiates warmth, Tolkien’s legendarium radiates truth.
August 18, 2022
Rarely it happens for a common mortal to flee from some terror to stumble into pure beauty, verily as the first meeting between Beren and Luthien. Yet, the sensation is closely similar as one gets a copy of the recent scholarly work titled “Amid Weeping There Is Joy: Orthodox Perspectives on Tolkien’s Fantastic Realm”, a volume the cover of which consistently presents itself with Gabriel Wilson’s artwork representing the same first meeting of the couple.
As one delves deeper into the several chapters here collected from conference papers or written for the occasion, multiple focuses are offered, behind all of which one discerns the scholarly minds of many authors pertaining to the US Orthodox Church.
Thus, editor Cyril Gary Jenkins’ contextual frame envisioning the whole history and philosophy of modern age, culminating in the Great War, introduces the reader to Tolkien’s youth and education.
Michael Haldas recaptures the theme of Divine Providence in Tolkien’s works, also hinting at the everyday importance of maintaining such faith as any Christian should.
William J. Tighe offers a shorter account of Tolkien’s opposition to Gnosticism than Jonathan McIntosh in his volume “The Flame Imperishable: Tolkien, St. Thomas, and the Metaphysics of Faerie”, and yet it conveys consideration of both ancient and modern Gnosticism, lacking in McIntosh.
Paul Siewers brilliantly highlights how Tolkien’s narrative works as an antidote for both individuals and groups to social isolation produced by technology, economics, and politics. Tolkien is unique and felt as such because untouched by contemporary totalitarianism, the progeny of both 20th century antecedents, Communism and Nazism.
Richard Seraphim Rohlins splendidly adds to the best of Tolkien scholarship by explaining in close detail the reference to Medieval Church architecture made by Tolkien in a comment to an exchange of his with Clive Staples Lewis, underlining their different Christian confessions (Tolkien was a Catholic, Lewis an Anglican) and their different approach to Middle Ages and their literature, especially the Middle English poem “Pearl”.
Nicholas Kotar defends both Tolkien and Christianity from the attacks of contemporary Christian misomyths, who seem to forget how Christ himself spoke in a fictional form called parable.
Frederic Putnam extensively comments the concept of “Fantasy” in both Tolkien e CS Lewis.
A further interesting writing by Paul Siewers reads Tolkien as a nuptial author, then to utilize such traits as a neat explanation for the large following the English writer has in Orthodoxy, since their faith is strongly founded on the institution of the earthly marriage as a figure of the mystical Wedding of the Lamb.
Cyril Cary Jenkins then culminates the entire collection by his analysis of different aspects of the Vision of God in comparing Tolkien’s Niggle with St. Gregory of Nyssa, Dante, and Plato.
The essays are all very readable, and, although some theses here found are closer to Tolkien’s mind than others, at least as long as we know at the moment, all contributions invite reflection, and call for further research, in a way I feel comfortable to declare Tolkien would appreciate.
Two critical notes: it feels awkward to read Tighe asking the reader which race are Trolls a counterfeit of, since Treebeard himself clearly states Trolls are counterfeit versions of Ents, made in their mimicry. Secondly, it is also perplexing when Siewers almost declares how Tolkien would have liked the “filioque” to be erased from the Creed, however unintentionally on the scholar’s part the impression of the reader might stem.
Instead, I highly appreciated all the efforts to contextualize Tolkien in the cultural history of the West, both to clarify his role in the 20th century AD, and to suggest all of us, even and especially today, still have a lot to learn from him. Nothwithstanding the minor flaws just mentioned, in fact, both Siewers and Tighe, as well as other papers in the volume, offer the reader precious indications relevant to the case.
To conclude, I could never overstate my appreciation for Rohlin’s chapter on the poem “Pearl”, a chapter worthy as a critical pearl in its own right, and not only for its brilliance, nor because it is in the volume the chief reference to Medieval Literature and source criticism, but mostly because of its hinting at the book-title, taken from the first paragraph of the chapter in “The Silmarillion” dedicated to Beren and Luthien.
Thus may come together the consolation of the “Pearl”-Poet, being reassured his daughter is safe in Jesus’ arms, and the vision of Beren of Luthien’s dance as the consolation from his nightmare of being chased by Morgoth’s servants throughout his escape southward after his father’s death, for “Tinuviel was dancing there, to music of a pipe unseen, and light of stars was in her hair, and in her raiment glimmering”.
As one delves deeper into the several chapters here collected from conference papers or written for the occasion, multiple focuses are offered, behind all of which one discerns the scholarly minds of many authors pertaining to the US Orthodox Church.
Thus, editor Cyril Gary Jenkins’ contextual frame envisioning the whole history and philosophy of modern age, culminating in the Great War, introduces the reader to Tolkien’s youth and education.
Michael Haldas recaptures the theme of Divine Providence in Tolkien’s works, also hinting at the everyday importance of maintaining such faith as any Christian should.
William J. Tighe offers a shorter account of Tolkien’s opposition to Gnosticism than Jonathan McIntosh in his volume “The Flame Imperishable: Tolkien, St. Thomas, and the Metaphysics of Faerie”, and yet it conveys consideration of both ancient and modern Gnosticism, lacking in McIntosh.
Paul Siewers brilliantly highlights how Tolkien’s narrative works as an antidote for both individuals and groups to social isolation produced by technology, economics, and politics. Tolkien is unique and felt as such because untouched by contemporary totalitarianism, the progeny of both 20th century antecedents, Communism and Nazism.
Richard Seraphim Rohlins splendidly adds to the best of Tolkien scholarship by explaining in close detail the reference to Medieval Church architecture made by Tolkien in a comment to an exchange of his with Clive Staples Lewis, underlining their different Christian confessions (Tolkien was a Catholic, Lewis an Anglican) and their different approach to Middle Ages and their literature, especially the Middle English poem “Pearl”.
Nicholas Kotar defends both Tolkien and Christianity from the attacks of contemporary Christian misomyths, who seem to forget how Christ himself spoke in a fictional form called parable.
Frederic Putnam extensively comments the concept of “Fantasy” in both Tolkien e CS Lewis.
A further interesting writing by Paul Siewers reads Tolkien as a nuptial author, then to utilize such traits as a neat explanation for the large following the English writer has in Orthodoxy, since their faith is strongly founded on the institution of the earthly marriage as a figure of the mystical Wedding of the Lamb.
Cyril Cary Jenkins then culminates the entire collection by his analysis of different aspects of the Vision of God in comparing Tolkien’s Niggle with St. Gregory of Nyssa, Dante, and Plato.
The essays are all very readable, and, although some theses here found are closer to Tolkien’s mind than others, at least as long as we know at the moment, all contributions invite reflection, and call for further research, in a way I feel comfortable to declare Tolkien would appreciate.
Two critical notes: it feels awkward to read Tighe asking the reader which race are Trolls a counterfeit of, since Treebeard himself clearly states Trolls are counterfeit versions of Ents, made in their mimicry. Secondly, it is also perplexing when Siewers almost declares how Tolkien would have liked the “filioque” to be erased from the Creed, however unintentionally on the scholar’s part the impression of the reader might stem.
Instead, I highly appreciated all the efforts to contextualize Tolkien in the cultural history of the West, both to clarify his role in the 20th century AD, and to suggest all of us, even and especially today, still have a lot to learn from him. Nothwithstanding the minor flaws just mentioned, in fact, both Siewers and Tighe, as well as other papers in the volume, offer the reader precious indications relevant to the case.
To conclude, I could never overstate my appreciation for Rohlin’s chapter on the poem “Pearl”, a chapter worthy as a critical pearl in its own right, and not only for its brilliance, nor because it is in the volume the chief reference to Medieval Literature and source criticism, but mostly because of its hinting at the book-title, taken from the first paragraph of the chapter in “The Silmarillion” dedicated to Beren and Luthien.
Thus may come together the consolation of the “Pearl”-Poet, being reassured his daughter is safe in Jesus’ arms, and the vision of Beren of Luthien’s dance as the consolation from his nightmare of being chased by Morgoth’s servants throughout his escape southward after his father’s death, for “Tinuviel was dancing there, to music of a pipe unseen, and light of stars was in her hair, and in her raiment glimmering”.
January 16, 2026
This was a really fantastic collection of essays that provides a treasure trove of insight into Tolkien’s work and their immense spiritual, political and moral relevance. It’s hard to be unique in the world of Tolkien scholarship, but each and every contributor brings something new to the table!
While I’d heartily recommend it to anyone, Tolkien enthusiast or no, the biggest stain on this book for me was the authors making an unnecessary boogeyman out of secular culture. This is a pitfall that I feel many Christian writers fall into, and what it does is misrepresent a very large group of well-meaning people who, if you hear them out, probably have a lot of the same hopes, dreams and ethics as us Christians. Categorical disagreements are present even within the faith itself, and I think to loop all of those who do not share our faith into a “danger zone” feels a little dismissive and unfair. But, aside from that, it was a truly lovely and insightful collection of essays!
While I’d heartily recommend it to anyone, Tolkien enthusiast or no, the biggest stain on this book for me was the authors making an unnecessary boogeyman out of secular culture. This is a pitfall that I feel many Christian writers fall into, and what it does is misrepresent a very large group of well-meaning people who, if you hear them out, probably have a lot of the same hopes, dreams and ethics as us Christians. Categorical disagreements are present even within the faith itself, and I think to loop all of those who do not share our faith into a “danger zone” feels a little dismissive and unfair. But, aside from that, it was a truly lovely and insightful collection of essays!
December 22, 2025
This book is wonderful! I’m Orthodox Christian and a huge LOTR fan, so this book was perfect for me. It was very well written and the connections to OC were so very interesting!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews