American Evangelicals as Boromir

 

Finished re-reading the Fellowship of the Ring, and in the last chapters have been struck how much American evangelicals have in common with Boromir.

 

In Chapter 10, "The Breaking of the Fellowship," Boromir, who has been eyeing Frodo ever since they emerged from the mines of Moria, attempts to convince Frodo to give him the ring:

 

<"You seem to ever think only of its power in the hands of the Enemy: of its evil uses not o its good. The world is changing, you say. Minas TIrith will fall, if the Ring lasts. But why? Certainly, if the Ring were with the Enemy, but why, if it were with us?"

"Were you not at the Council?" answered Frodo. "Because we cannot used it, and what is done with it turns to evil."

Boromir got up and walked impatiently. "So you go on," he cried. "Gandalf, Elrond--all these folk have taught you to say so...Yet I often doubt if they are wise and not merely timid. True hearted Men, they will not be corrupted. We of Minas Tirith...do not desire the power of wizard-lord, only strength to defend ourselves, strength in a just cause...it is mad not to use [the ring], to use the power of the Enemy against him. The fearless, the ruthless, these alone will achieve victory. What could not a warrior do in this hour, a great leader? What could not Aragorn do? Or if he refuses, why not Boromir? The RIng would give me power of Command. How I would drive the hosts of Mordor, and all men would flock to my banner!">

 

1) Boromir, believes that if he had power, he could restore Gondor's greatness. American evangelicals believe that if they have power, they can restore America's greatness.

 

2) Boromir rejects the warnings of the wise; American evangelicals have rejected the warnings of those who are wise (for example, Russell Moore, Tim Keller, Beth Moore, Ron Sider, Roberta Hestenes, etc.)

 

3) Both Boromir and American evangelicals admire the fearless and ruthless, not those who are humble and merciful. They have embraced worldly "virtues" rather than authentic ones.

 

4) Both Boromir and American evangelicals believe they are oppressed, and so seek power "to defend themselves."

 

5) Boromir wants to use the Ring/power to win against the Enemy; American evangelicals want to use political power to win culture wars. 

 

7) Both Boromir and American evangelicals want to be in position to command, not to follow and serve. Both end up supporting a radical individualism, breaking the community/fellowship that once was the product of their obedience and loyalty.

 

My daughter later commented: " Also helpful to remember that Boromir's redemption comes through a willingness to die rather ingloriously, trying to save two small hobbits (who aren't the 'important ones'), and confessing his error to Aragorn.

 

( I used the image below not to point to the films, but because it highlights Boromir as a character, in contrast to Legolas and Aragorn.)

https://pyxis.nymag.com/v1/imgs/f25/fab/2cb7c9907bb7c56e652739f7d94f8c2ef0-boromir-woman.rsquare.w700.jpg