(Picture courtesy of collider.com.)
If you are a Star Wars fan or a Harry Potter fan, or a fan of anything besides LotR you know that reading this blog is not going to be very confirming. If you'd like some evidence why LotR and the Hobbit are accurate, please read this list:
Why LotR and The Hobbit are Scientifically and Theologically Accurate and Consistent
Magic: The kind of magic in Tolkien mythology is more Bible-like than Harry Potter-style. Thus, it is not only possible, but actually happens in our world. See Act 19:19, Act 8:9, Gen 19:11, Gen 19:24-26, 1Sam 28:7, etc.
The Ring: Magic, obviously.
Shelob: At first it would appear that this spawn of Ungoliant is hopelessly inaccurate, because in real life, a spider of her size would be unable to breathe or walk. However, Shelob is part spider, part demon, so obviously there is some magic involved.
Dragons: Magic. Also, see https://answersingenesis.org/dinosaurs/dragon-legends/
Were-worms: Only in the films.
Weak Gondorian armor: Only in the films. Also, the Gondorians were exhausted when they were fighting the orcs.
Army of the dead: Magic. See 1Sam 28:7-20.
Hobbits: See https://answersingenesis.org/human-evolution/hobbits-flores-were-archaic-human-variety-studies-suggest/
Stone-giants: Books: See Gen 6:4, Num 13:33, etc. Films: Magic.
Elven awesomeness: Semi-magic. Also because they ARE ELVES. God originally made us that way.
Dwarven strength: Dwarves are built for incredible strength. See https://answersingenesis.org/human-evolution/neanderthal/the-neandertals-our-worthy-ancestors/
Gandalf catching up to his sword: Magic. He is, after all, a wizard. (In Tolkien mythology, wizards are angels in human form. See http://tolkiengateway.net/wiki/Wizards.)
Unbreakable Orthanc: Magic.
The Palantíri: Magic. Seriously, do you even believe in the supernatural?
Bad military tactics–Dáin: Dáin may know a lot about battle in the mines, but that doesn’t mean he has to be a genius aboveground.
TERRIBLE military tactics–Dáin: Only in the films. Also, he equipped his Dwarves with polearms, which is a good idea.
Twirly Whirlies: Dáin said, “How do you like that, you old Twiddly Whiddlies?!”, not “How do you like the old Twirly Whirlies?!”. Twiddly means being decorative, especially in an unnecessary way. So Dáin is just ridiculing their fancy clothes and armor. The weapons are very similar to chain shot. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chain_shot and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bolas
EDIT: I could be wrong about this. Apparently he did say, “How do you like the old Twirly Whirlies?!”. See http://newboards.theonering.net/search/Tolkien_Topics_C3/Movie_Discussion%3A_The_Hobbit_F17/Twirly_whirlies_P880558 (Go to page 2.)
Bad military tactics–Helm’s Deep: Not too bad. Only in the films.
Bad military tactics–Gondor: Only in the films. Also, Denethor is not an expert of strategy (at least not in the films).
Bad military tactics–Rohirrim: Only in the films. Also, the Rohirrim were a bit suicidal. If they had been thinking clearly, they would have tried to flank the mûmakil.
Trolls: Semi-magic.
Size of armies: See Jdg 20:17, 2Sa 24:9, and 1Ch 21:5.
Mûmakil: At first it would appear that these giant elephant-like creatures are hopelessly inaccurate, because in real life, an elephant of that size would be unable to run as fast as they did in the movies. However, it is only in the films that Oliphaunts are 40-60 feet tall. In the books, they're only about 25-35 feet tall, which is quite realistic. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gomphothere
Gollum sinking into lava: Only in the films. Also, lava gets thinner as it gets hotter, so maybe the lava in Orodruin is hotter than normal lava.
Gollum not burning up: Lava isn’t so hot that it can burn things falling into it before they touch it. Also, as you can see, he is burning a little bit.
Clean swords: Only in the films.
It never happened: That’s not a contradiction. Also, we don’t know much about what happened before the Flood. Plus, this a work of fiction, however accurate it is. This article is merely showing that it would be POSSIBLE, not exactly that it HAPPENED.
Nazgûl: See 1Sam 28:7-20.
Long lives: Semi-magic. God could create anyone in any way. We were, at creation, immortal.
Molten gold: Only in the films.
The Ring changes fingers: Continuity error. Only in the films.
Legolas and Arwen in the Rohirrim: Continuity error. Only in the films.
Crew members in the orc army: Continuity error. Only in the films.
The Ring disappears: Continuity error. Only in the films.
Frodo’s puppet strings: Continuity error. Only in the films.
Pippin’s hands are untied: Continuity error. Only in the films.
A car in the Shire: Continuity error. Only in the films.
Vanishing fireworks: Continuity error. Only in the films.
Eomer’s loose sword: Continuity error. Only in the films.
Frodo’s scar moves: Continuity error. Only in the films.
Pippin is too tall: Continuity error. Only in the films.
Lembas bread crumbs magically appear: Continuity error. Only in the films.
Boromir’s shifty hand: Continuity error. Only in the films.
Mosasaur size change: The topic I am discussing is: Is LotR Scientifically and Theologically Accurate? Not: Is Jurassic World Scientifically and Theologically Accurate and Consistent?
Giant Eagles: See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argentavis and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haast%27s_eagle
Why didn’t the Eagles fly Frodo to Mount Doom: See http://tolkiengateway.net/wiki/Eagles#Official_explanation_to_the_problem
Tom and Jerry: The topic I am discussing is: Is LotR Scientifically and Theologically Accurate? Not: Is The Tom and Jerry Show Scientifically and Theologically Accurate and Consistent?
Giant goats: See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marco_Polo_sheep
Giant elk: See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irish_elk
Great beasts: See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Megacerops
Pipe-weed: Brought from Númenor. See http://tolkiengateway.net/wiki/Pipe-weed
Potatoes: They appear to have been brought from Númenor. See http://tolkiengateway.net/wiki/Potatoes