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As the result of a reader survey, J. This paper will bring the Author of the Century into relation with the Theologian of the Century. It will do so by reflecting on the eschatology of agape, a relatively neglected theme.
Thank you, Evan. Is the mic working? Tolkien has be acclaimed, however improbably, as author of the century. Three reasons have been suggested for this accolade: democratic, generic, and qualitative. The democratic reason rests on sales figures and opinion polls, both of which have been astonishing.
The author established a new appreciation for this ancient genre that shows no signs of abating anytime soon. Auden, in a strong and estimable way. As Thomas Shippey observes, Tolkien reconciled what appeared to be incompatibles: heathen and Christian, escapism and reality, immediate victory and lasting defeat, lasting defeat and ultimate victory.
At the same time, a deep sadness pervades his work, cheerful hobbits, imposing wizards, and Elysian elves notwithstanding. We shall return to the theme of sadness in due course. Like Tolkien, he broke with existing conventions and had to swim against the stream throughout his career. My teacher, Hans Frei, used to say that if Barth had not been a theologian, he would have been recognized as one of the great minds of the 20th century.
