I might write an article on this kind of thing - but for now, I just want to share a few lengthy reflections (this person is talking about my interview with Malcolm Guite btw):
1. It is precisely because of faith in a God who creates life that we can substantially find magic and enchantment in nature (magic in the sense that there is more than natural, biological things at work in what we see). Because all of creation is an utterance from God's very own cosmos-creating Word, it is therefore filled with a sense of something more than material, it has come from God, and as Romans 1 (and many Psalms say) it reflects God's character to us. To say there is zero love of nature in the Bible is to not read the Bible carefully. We don't worship nature, but the Scriptures are clear we should enjoy it, steward it, and pay close attention to its beauty and what it says about the world and God and living. Christ is coming back not to destroy the creation, but to renew it. Why? Because he loves what he makes, and so should we.
2. Even if LOTR was a pagan story (so much to say here!), it is not wrong for a Christian Priest or Pastor to read and enjoy it. There is much [t]ruth found in stories outside the Scriptures that we can certainly enjoy and learn from. On the pagan thing: Tolkien took a mix of pagan myths and blended them with his own love of story and his deep Christian faith. Reading LOTR does not detract me from Jesus, the Scriptures and the Christian life but draws me into them all the more with clarity, courage and conviction.
3. Not only can you be a Christian Priest / Pastor and love LOTR and find enchantment in nature -- I hope that more and more do exactly this! It has literally been my own journey and it has brought me to greater worship, wonder and joy, not less.
So much more to say, but I wonder how Malcolm would respond 😆