Check out SPS Professor of Theology Kerry Dearborn's latest article entitled, "'The Terrible Good:' The Inklings on Sacrifice and Atonement; For Tolkien, Williams, and Lewis, all of life is meant to reflect the nature of its Creator, a divine dance of co-inherence and self-giving love." Her article was featured in Patheos.com as part of the Patheos Public Square on Sacrifice: Religions and the Role of the Scapegoat.
"'I will take the Ring...though I do not know the way.' One of the most courageous lines in literature is spoken by a humble Hobbit. Frodo has already endured much terror to save his homeland from those seeking the Ring. He willingly left the people and place he loved, sacrificing his well-being for the sake of others' flourishing. The sacrifice was immense for him as a Shire-loving Hobbit. He thought his job was finished, having transported the Ring from the Shire to Rivendell, where he thought it would be safe. Upon learning that the only safety lay in carrying the Ring into the heart of enemy territory, up Mount Doom, and casting it in the fire, he offers himself for the task. This is sacrifice as 'wonderful exchange,' 'my life for yours' in self-giving love."
To read the rest of Dr. Dearborn's article, click here.
Posted: Wednesday, April 20, 2016