In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit.

With these words, J. R. R. Tolkien begins one of the most popular children’s stories of all time. His world is not just for kids, though. The themes of The Hobbit along with The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion are rich and ripe for exploration. Matthew Dickerson takes his readers on a journey back through Tolkien’s world in A Hobbit’s Journey.

Having read Tolkien’s three masterpieces years ago, Dickerson’s book was a nostalgic journey which opened up Tokien’s mythology in ways I had not previously considered. Dickerson explores the philosophy of Middle Earth, delving into deep topics such as the ethics of war, the nature of wisdom, the power of Ilúvatar (the Creator of Middle Earth), and the nature of free will.

Tolkien was a Catholic man whose worldview penetrates his writing, even as he borrows themes from Norse mythology and other pagan cultures. Dickerson interacts fruitfully with Tolkien’s religious background. This comes to the forefront with the question, “Is Middle Earth a Christian mythology?” While Dickerson answers yes-and-no, his reason for saying, “no,” is fascinating. There is no incarnation. Unlike Christianity, Ilúvatar never enters his world. Tolkien explained the reason for omitting this in a letter:

The Incarnation of God is an infinitely greater thing than anything I would dare to write” (237).

A Hobbit’s Journey inspired me to reread this story to my own kids. I love watching their reactions—anticipation, laughter, trepidation. I’m even more thrilled to know that one day they may return to Middle Earth and recognize how Tolkien’s philosophy has seeped into the cracks in their lives and helped to form their character.

Dickerson, Matthew. A Hobbit Journey: Discovering the Enchantment of J. R. R. Tolkien’s Middle Earth. Grand Rapids: Brazos Press, 2012.