People of the Book

 "Please bring me the books, and especially the manuscripts".  2 Timothy 4:13.

2022 has been a year of social and media surprises.

The end of the pandemic crisis has allowed actual hard data to begin to surface in respect to many troubling issues that the mandates either entirely suppressed or marginalised, and woke-ism has found itself being robustly challenged by the return of popular entertainment that has tapped in to what people actually want, rather than the politicisation of films and shows.

A great example of the sea-change has become evident in the last few days.

Mega-company Amazon has invested vast amounts of money into a new production, supposedly 'adapted' from the classical works of JRR Tolkien, but as the first two episodes were circulated for public viewing this week, it was clear that their total sacrificing of anything actually derived from the works of this writer in favour of their 'diversity is all' messaging fell entirely on stoney ground, as the mainstream response, let alone of fans of the books, was that the result was abysmal.

What is fascinating here is that those who have held this massive production to account since day one are the countless millions of Tolkien fans who have resolutely affirmed from the start that if this production cannot be faithful to the source material (something it actually has very limited access to), then it cannot be, in any true fashion, a tale of the saga of middle earth. Sadly for Amazon, many reviews have already noted that in aiming to aspire to something of that nature, it has produced, at best, a very mediocre fantasy, plagued by it's P C messaging in the manner that the characters (portrayed by some dreadful acting) engage with the tale.

It has certainly been quite something to see just how many have made it plain to this apparently all-wise company that they were not prepared to sit back and allow something so cherished to be trashed - it reminded me of the campaign in the 60's to keep Star Trek renewed (when it was worth keeping - the present incarnations, which have also produced the 'writers' for Amazon's miss-fire - are equally dire). There is, clearly, in Tolkien's works, a "Lore" and a meta narrative to maintain in respect to the essential nature and character of the work, and to seek to mis-appropriate or dismiss such fundamental tenants is to regale and deny the inherent integrity of the entire cannon.

Clearly, there are some vital parallels here for Christians in respect to the scriptures, which must be our map and guide in respect to what is inherently true about the nature of things. Like the fans so passionately speaking out to uphold all that was good in the realms of their book, we should also seek to earnestly contend for the validity of the faith - the good news of the Gospel - that has been passed along to us in this present evil day.

As our realms literally begin to spew hateful, divisive dicta against each other, and the spheres of society melt and dissolve before our eyes, it is imperative that we say that what is better eternally remains, and seek to point this falling generation to the one who made us all, who sits on an eternal throne purchased by His redeeming blood.

The days around are filled with trouble, but Christ will bring a new day, so let us hold out that splendour amidst this hour of trial.