[Eng] Tolkien, Mythology, and Truth: The Theology of Middle-earth (Dr. Austin Freeman) |🎙R+F Podcast

Can we speak of J. R. R. Tolkien’s theology? And can it really be found in Middle-earth? How can mythology teach us the truth about God and about ourselves? In this episode, together with Rostislav Tkachenko, we talk with Dr. Austin Freeman, author of Tolkien Dogmatics, a book in which he develops an entire systematic theology based on Tolkien’s writings! We discuss how Tolkien’s Christian worldview is reflected in his works of fiction, why he and C. S. Lewis called the Gospel a “true myth,” how to understand magic in Middle-earth and whether it violates the biblical prohibition, as well as what Tolkien might have thought about Harry Potter, Game of Thrones, and modern screen adaptations. In short, it will be interesting! 👤 PODCAST GUEST Austin Freeman is Assistant Professor of Apologetics and Chair of the Apologetics Department at Houston Christian University (Ph.D., Trinity Evangelical Divinity School). Dr. Freeman’s research interests include cultural apologetics, especially the intersection of theology and literature, as well as the theology of J. R. R. Tolkien. He is the author of Tolkien Dogmatics: Theology through Mythology with the Maker of Middle-earth, as well as the editor and co-editor of several academic volumes devoted to theology, fantasy, imagination, Tolkien, and H. P. Lovecraft. Freeman is also an interdisciplinary scholar whose publications range across topics from Virgil to angelology and evolution. • More about Dr. Freeman: https://hc.edu/contact/austin-freeman/ • Tolkien Dogmatics: Theology through Mythology with the Maker of Middle-earth: https://a.co/d/002eUnaM • Tolkien among the Theologians: https://a.co/d/05h6EW9E   🗄️ RESOURCES 🗄️ • Our website: https://www.reasonplusfaith.com • More of our podcasts:    • Reason + Faith Podcast🎙