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Notes -
That seems less compelling if more re assuring. If Christ can have doubt or a desire to not face the hard roads then so can I.
The difference is in LOTR you have people who are by and large sure that what they do won’t accomplish their goal (ie evil will prevail) and instead of trying to flee and eek out an okay life take a stand. And it is that hope against all odds (or estel) that overcomes evil.
Open the aperture a little bit and you get the countless stories of martyrdom (especially in the early Church) wherein the same principle is illustrated.
Again, I'm not saying that LoTR is not valuable or that it does not convey worthwhile virtue ethics.
Yes. Stephen for example. Swords and spears sound better.
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