The Hobbit/The Lord of the Rings series has been popular for years, but is it just an entertaining story? Is there anything more in it than just a fairy tale? James Stuart Bell looks into what can be learned from The Hobbit, specifically, in The Spiritual World of the Hobbit.

J. R. R. Tolkien’s book has captivated audiences of all ages, and there is more to it than just a good story. Tolkien used his beliefs as a Christian to craft a book that would keep people reading, but that would also offer an opportunity to better understand what is meant by be a Christian. Woven throughout the story, you can find what Tolkien believed, from struggles with fear and pride to being a wise steward of what you have.

Both simple concepts and more complex ones are covered by Bell. Fear is something we all are familiar with, whereas becoming a new creation in Christ may not be as easily understood. Bell does a good job of drawing all the concepts out in a way that is simple to read.

Being a fan of Tolkien’s works, I enjoyed reading Bell’s book, and seeing what Tolkien intended for the series. There were concepts that I had found when I read the series, but The Spiritual World of the Hobbit had more that I had not seen, yet.

I received a free copy from Bethany House in exchange for my review.