By the Word of His Power: Tolkien, words, and the life of faith
Mon, 2010-02-08 11:54 — Josh Congrove
Do you believe words have power? Most likely you'd agree that they do, but now let me refine the question: Do you believe that words have real, objective power? Do you believe that they have power not just to change minds and hearts, but that they have genuine, objective power in the created world? If that seems a strange question, bear with me while I explain...
First off, though, a disclosure: I'm a major fan of J.R.R. Tolkien's writing, particularly The Lord of the Rings. And because I've found few works where so many Christian truths shine so powerfully as in LOTR, I want to begin with a quotation from it to explain my point. In the midst of a long discussion about "the one ring," the wizard Gandalf makes this crucial note:
"The letters are Elvish, of an ancient mode, but the language is that of Mordor, which I will not utter here."
Those of you readers who know Tolkien's work likely can place this right in context. For those who have no idea what I'm talking about, let me explain briefly. "Lord of the Rings" tells the struggle of a number of characters to destroy a ring, one forged in the land of Mordor by the evil spirit Sauron. This ring threatens to dominate all life, and its sinful power corrupts all who fall to its temptation. Engraved into this ring are the "Elvish letters" Gandalf refers to—the writing of an ancient language, inextricably tied to its evil creator.
And so in a surprising turn, Gandalf the wizard utterly refuses to utter the words graven into the ring. This is a crucial statement, and I've always been struck by it. Why? What is so significant about his refusal?
Chiefly, Gandalf's refusal presupposes a notion we've long discarded in our modern world: that words have power, real power. Gandalf refuses to speak the words on the ring not because they have an emotional affect, but simply because the words themselves have an objective power that makes them dangerous. In Tolkien’s world, the very sounds wield a power that is tangible, and even to be feared.
We're well accustomed in our day to think of words having power, but consider what we normally mean by this. We mean that words can affect our thoughts, our feelings, our understanding, even, but in an increasingly postmodern age, we're more and more tempted to stop at this subjective level. Rarely do we actually think words have power in themselves, outside of us. And sometimes, we deny their power altogether: who among us hasn't said, "Sticks and stones can break my bones, but names can never hurt me"?
But Tolkien's work shows us a reality much different. In a later passage, as the company rests in the haven of Rivendell, the ring again comes under discussion. And this time, Gandalf actually does utter the words he before had refused to. What happens next is telling:
"The change in the wizard's voice was astounding. Suddenly it became menacing, powerful, harsh as stone. A shadow seemed to pass over the high sun, and the porch for a moment grew dark. All trembled, and the Elves stopped their ears. 'Never before has any voice dared to utter the words of that tongue in Imladris...', said Elrond, as the shadow passed and the company breathed once more."
It's clear that Tolkien regards words as capable of real evil; they have an impact not only on men's hearts, but upon creation, upon objective reality. Elrond's words are critical here: no one had ever spoken those words in Rivendell (the elves' home) because no one had dared to even speak words of such evil. Their power was not to be toyed with.
Okay, fine and dandy, you might say. This is all very well for a fantasy novel, but what's the relevance beyond that? Tolkien isn't inspired, after all.
Indeed he isn't. But the Holy Spirit is, and He's breathed into every word of Scripture the very words of God. So when we go to Scripture, what do we find? What is the function of words there, and what power do they have?
From Genesis to Revelation, Scripture always and everywhere places great power in words. Think of the first moment of creation where God speaks, "Let there be light." Think of Moses, commanded to speak to the rock, and punished for striking it instead. Then look at David, whose power at crafting words tells us "By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, And by the breath of His mouth all their host." (Psalm 33:6). How many of the prophetic books open with "The word of the Lord came to..." the prophet, and how often does a people stand condemned by only a pronouncement of woe from the prophet? And with Nebuchadnezzar, note how soon the judgment of God falls: not after the king's words are proven by actions, but actually "while the words were still in the king’s mouth...". That's some power.
And if anything, this power expands in the New Testament. The centurion asks Jesus to simply "say the word" so his servant can be healed. Simon points to Jesus alone as the source of the "words of life." Jesus calms the sea with two simple words. The blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, the only unforgivable sin in Scripture, is an unambiguously verbal sin. And at the crucifixion, at the pivotal moment of all history, creation itself groans at the final words of Jesus on the cross. At the words of the Incarnate Word, all creation trembles.
Except for us, right? Many of us have long ago left behind God's words, left behind the "primitive" need to fear them. Why? If God's words, and His very name, are so powerful, why do we take His name in vain? Why take the power and holiness of His name as a profane, common thing? Don't we remember that Herod met with instant death when his words blasphemed God?
And how about our daily habits of Scripture reading and prayer? If you're like me, this is where the rubber meets the road. Often I fail to read Scripture because I'd rather trust in the power of my own words than I would in the power of His word. Often it's the reverse: we fail to pray because we have no confidence that the words we use matter to God. But either way, we're showing we don't believe God's words have real power. We don't see any connection between our feeble proclamations of truth and our anemic knowledge of that truth. And we don't have faith that God delights in hearing our humble words, knowing our tongue's weakness, and sending His Spirit to intercede for us, turning our poor words into groanings too deep for uttering.
Now take evangelism. We live in an increasingly postmodern society, where trust in images, affect, and tone has greatly replaced trust in the objectivity and sufficiency of words. Doubt this? Think about YouTube, Twitter, emoticons—all the ways that we rely on words less and less, and trust in images ever more. But you don't need to get that deep, even. You need go no further than the nearest emergent church to realize where our faith lies in this age—and it's not in the word of God.
So how about us evangelicals? Do we subscribe to the notion that gospel proclamation involves preaching the Gospel, and only if necessary using words? Or do we start by realizing that speaking the words of the Gospel brings power, that the Gospel of God is His power unto salvation, and that in preaching His words, we have confidence that they will never return void. Do we have trust that God will grant His words real, lasting power that no drama presentation has been promised? After all, a ministry that has no confidence in the power of words has no faith in the power of God.
On this earth, much is hidden. Many things whose power is great are unseen, and so we only gain glimpses of the power God's placed in words. We hear that creation itself speaks of God's glory in words we're often deaf to; we read in books like Lord of the Rings that words possess an awesome, enigmatic power; and we know, somehow, that God Himself speaks to us through the minister of His word. We know in part, but we're oblivious to much.
And so when I think of all creation one day bowing to Jesus Christ, I immediately think visually. I imagine His brilliance, His horse, even His throne causing all men to prostrate themselves. And then I read what the verse really says, that one day every knee will bow not at His deeds, but at His name. Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh, the Word who upholds all things by the word of his power, will then reduce all creation to adoration simply by His name. If in a Tolkien novel one line could strike fear into nine men, how much more will the one, real, unmatchable name of Jesus Christ strike love, awe, and terror into the hearts of every living thing ever created. On that day, we'll know the power of words in all its fullness. Until then, the glimpses God gives us should drive us further into His word and the real power it contains. That's the kind of power I want. Do you?
Comments
I pray that God renew and
I pray that God renew and bring revival everyday especially in His Church. I think what you are getting at, is the very core of where the World has seeped into the Church and questions all authority. If I had to label a dichotomy I'd put the University/Academia/Worldly understanding one on side with the likes of linguistic study that defines words through the cultural agreement, which gives the authority to the people and undermines Gods authority. Along with the subjective championing of Althusser and how there is no spiritual reality only material, and that truth is a construct of the individual leading to a concrete reality. In his first paragraphs of Ideology he seeks to attack the Church and authority. Granted both these intellectuals had some good points and interesting insight on the way people work, but it all stems down and has breathed into culture a questioning and rebelliousness against Gods authority. Another force and impact is the American notion of Individuality, and freedom from authority. This is nothing new, it's a timeless struggle for mankind, in that we always despise our Father and run from him. I am thankful for Gods sovereignty and that He holds the world together by the power of His Word. May God in his lovingkindness expose the truth and bring renewal.
Great explanation and example
Great explanation and example Josh. Thank you for your work.
I think this gets at the
I think this gets at the importance of us quoting directly the words of Scripture, rather than always just summarizing them when witnessing to others. I was just talking with a brother who said he couldn't convince some men that "a little bit of lust" was actually a big deal in God's eyes. I told him what he should have done was actually read Matthew 5:27-29. There is real power in the words of God.
P.S. Your post also makes me want to sing the Psalms more.
>>Do you believe that words
>>Do you believe that words have real, objective power? Do you believe that they have power not just to change minds and hearts, but that they have genuine, objective power in the created world?
Absolutely not.
>>In Tolkien’s world, the very sounds wield a power that is tangible, and even to be feared.
>> It's clear that Tolkien regards words as capable of real evil; they have an impact not only on men's hearts, but upon creation, upon objective reality.
That's because Tolkien's world was Roman Catholic. The language of Mordor has power in Middle Earth because the language of Rome—Latin—had power in Tolkien's world. And by this same argument the medieval Jewish Kabbalists promoted the sacred power of the Hebrew tongue.
Josh, this is a sacramentalist mindset. It is hocus pocus (from "hoc est corpus meum," you know). You've simply replaced bread and wine with words. Words have no power of themselves. None.
Words are vehicles, and their power is only derivative. That's why we're okay with using translations. The power is not in the words themselves, but the Person that stands behind them and the truth they communicate. That's why it's the word "of His power." You don't fear the words of the king, you fear his sword. If he decrees we're to die, we're not afraid of the words of the decree. We're afraid because we know it's within his power to kill us and if he is powerful enough, his word is as good as done. We don't tremble at his name, we tremble at his Name. By synecdoche, his person. Stop equivocating. Otherwise, let's get busy mastering Greek and Hebrew—because those words are what the Holy Spirit actually inspired.
We don't need to re-mystify the power of words. That's too easy. It's just a kind of Reformed sacramentalism. It's wordolatry. We need to recover our faith in the supernatural power of God's Holy Spirit and our belief in the authority of the One who spoke. That means trusting Him to use the words He's inspired, not endowing them with intrinsic magical properties. God's Word is always authoritative and it does not return to Him void, but sometimes it is blessed with power and sometimes it is not. Sometimes it is blessed with greater power than at other times. This is the free and sovereign work of the Holy Spirit. You can't harness the wind. It blows where it wills.
Your post depends on conflating God's power with vocalized words and equivocating the meaning of "word" in different contexts of Scripture. At times you rightly step back and note that God must "grant His words real, lasting power." But from what I can tell, you are inconsistent at best. I suggest that you take the thrust of your post seriously and do justice to the very words of God.
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By the way, I cannot, for the life of me, wrap my mind around what you mean by this nuanced phrase: "He's breathed into every word of Scripture the very words of God." Would you mind explaining what you mean by this?
Josh, Let me come back and
Josh,
Let me come back and say that I think you really are trying to get at something that we need to hear. Words really do mean something. And they really are powerful. God changed Jacob's name to Israel for a reason. He renamed Peter for a reason. He commanded Moses to speak to the rock for a reason. God really does care about every idle word we say.
We need to be called back from our idolatry, our obsession with images. We need faith in the Word. You're right on that point, and you're right that we need to hear it. You simply go too far by endowing words with intrinsic, objective power. And that's dangerous. Please, help me repent of my idolatry and trust in the very words of God. But don't pull me off on the other side of the road.
Love,
Jake
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