On this episode of Acton Line, Bradley J. Birzer, History professor and the Russell Amos Kirk Chair in American Studies at Hillsdale College, joins the podcast to talk about the movie ‘Tolkien,’ explaining what the film got right about the life of British author J.R.R. Tolkien and what the film missed. Afterwards, Bruce Ashford, professor of theology and culture at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, talks about his new book, “The Gospel of our King,” and how Biblical narrative relates to our understanding of vocation, culture and even the role of government.

Check out additional resources for this podcast:

‘Tolkien’ IMDb

Video: Jonathan Witt On Tolkien’s Vision Of Freedom

“J. R. R. Tolkien’s Sanctifying Myth: Understanding Middle-Earth,” by Bradley J. Birzer

“Disney’s ‘Tolkien’ Movie Cuts Out the Christian Faith That Inspired His Life and Work,” by Tyler O’Neil

“This Tolkien biopic is woefully unconvincing,” by Michael Ward

“The Gospel of Our King: Bible, Worldview, and the Mission of Every Christian,” by Bruce Riley Ashford and Heath A. Thomas

Learn more about Abraham Kuyper

Check out Bruce Ashford’s blog

New to the Acton Line podcast? Subscribe here! We also mend starting with these episodes:

Mourning the Notre-Dame cathedral inferno; Rev. Robert Sirico on education

F.A. Hayek’s Road to Serfdom; The media vs. ‘Unplanned’

Rev. Robert A. Sirico on the reality of socialism; Interview with a Venezuelan dissident

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