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Exploring truth about faith through Tolkein's works.

BY RYAN BENTLEY
NEWS-REVIEW STAFF WRITER

While Sarah Arthur doesn't see an effort to proselytize or evangelize in J.R.R. Tolkien's three "Lord of the Rings" books, she said the author's Christian perspective doesn't go unnoticed in his works of modern mythology.

"If faith is what you marinate in, the flavor of that comes out in whatever you do," said Arthur, a Petoskey resident who recently completed a book manuscript focusing on the choices of values facing Tolkien's characters.

Titled "Walking with Frodo: Student Devotions on the Lord of the Rings," the book - geared especially toward older teen and adult readers - is scheduled to be printed this year by Illinois-based Tyndale Publishing House.

In it, Arthur presents nine pairs of devotionals which present contrasting attributes which hobbit Frodo and other Tolkien characters must choose between during the course of the trilogy.

For example, she discusses the concepts of slavery and freedom as illustrated by character Theoden, a king who is steered down a path of apathy by his counselor; and Theoden's niece, Eowyn, who decries confinement.

"The book briefly discusses Tolkien's Christian faith without trying to make 'The Lord of the Rings' into an allegory," she said. "Instead, it discusses how Tolkien's story serves as a teachable moment for today's young people, driving home timeless truths about life and faith."

Bible passages which can be consulted for further guidance on the themes also are included in the book.

Arthur, 29, has served as a newspaper intern for the former Walloon Lake Villager newspaper, a youth director at Petoskey United Methodist Church and a freelance writer helping produce youth curriculum for the United
Methodist Publishing House in Tennessee.

She also has written various poems. Currently, she is a contract editor for United Methodist Publishing House, working on a weekly online
curriculum for Sunday school classrooms around the country.

When first introduced to Tolkien's work, Arthur said she didn't care for it, noting the limited number of female characters for her to identify with.

But later, while attending a summer study program at Oxford University in England, Arthur gave his stories another look during a modern mythology course and a greater interest was kindled.

At Illinois' Wheaton College, Arthur earned dual degrees in literature and Christian education. She said such studies helped her discern the spiritual background reflected in "The Lord of the Rings."

"I've seen the virtue of literature, how it can strengthen faith," she said.

Early this year, Arthur contacted a Tyndale acquisitions editor whom she'd met earlier at a writer's conference to offer a proposal for a devotional book on Tolkien. Within two weeks, Tyndale responded with an offer of a book contract.

"It's every writer's dream," Arthur said. "I still feel like I'm talking about someone else."

Karen Watson, acquisitions director at Tyndale, said Arthur's book will be part of a new young-adult book line the publisher calls Thirsty (?).

"Her writing style was engaging for that target age group," Watson said of Arthur.

In less than three months, Arthur assembled the bulk of the 100-page manuscript, with an introduction, devotionals, a brief glossary and a guide for small groups interested in using the book as a resource. She submitted it to Tyndale April 1.

"It was part hard work, part inspiration, part help from family and friends," she said.

Arthur anticipates a November release of the book - a short time before the third and final movie adaptation of "Lord of the Rings" arrives in theaters.

The title likely will be available in a wide range of bookstores, both Christian and general-interest, Watson said.

Arthur also was a contributor to another upcoming book to be released by Tyndale, titled "The Young Believer Case Files: Thirty Kids Caught Living Out Their Faith." She wrote accounts featuring several Petoskey-area youth to be featured in the book.

...Arthur has lived in Northern Michigan since 1995. She is married to Tom Arthur, who is director of ministries at Petoskey United Methodist Church.

Her father, Bob Faulman, currently is pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Boyne City; and her mother, Peg Faulman, teaches math at Concord Academy Boyne.

Ryan Bentley can be contacted at 439-9342, or rbentley@petoskeynews.com.

AUTHOR PROFILE:
Name: Sarah Arthur
Age: 29
Residence: Petoskey
Education: Dual degrees in literature and Christian education from Wheaton College
Work experience: Has worked as an intern for the Walloon Lake Villager newspaper and youth director at Petoskey United Methodist Church; has written confirmation materials for the United Methodist denomination on a freelance basis, as well as a variety of poems; currently a contract editor for the United Methodist Publishing House.
Upcoming works: Arthur's book "Walking with Frodo: Student Devotions on The Lord of the Rings" will be published by Tyndale later this year; she also is a contributor to an upcoming work by Tyndale titled "The Young Believer Case Files: Thirty Kids Caught Living Out Their Faith."
Personal: Originally from Muskegon, has lived in Northern Michigan since 1995, married to Tom Arthur since 1997.

*This article has been edited by the webmaster.

"I've seen the virtue of literature, how it can strengthen faith."

Sarah Arthur