The Hobbit: Discovering Grace and Providence in Bilbo's Adventures
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Buy for $15.56
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
-
Narrated by:
-
Joseph Pearce
-
By:
-
Joseph Pearce
About this listen
In this course, Professor Joseph Pearce shows that Tolkien's own words about The Lord of the Rings being a "fundamentally religious and Catholic work" also apply to The Hobbit. Some readers mistakenly believe that The Hobbit is simply a children's story with little significance. While Tolkien indeed wrote the book for his children's entertainment, the narrative simplicity only serves its great moral and theological profundity.
Professor Pearce guides you through various life lessons discovered through an in-depth reading of The Hobbit:
- Bilbo grows in maturity, wisdom, compassion, self-sacrifice, and heroism over the course of his journey to the Lonely Mountain. At the end of the novel, Gandalf proclaims that Bilbo is no longer the hobbit he was, and we know that he is changed for the better. The meaning of life is to grow in virtue and holiness by learning the lessons of our adventures so that we can return "home" to God in Heaven.
- In The Hobbit, Bilbo is time and again protected and rewarded by "luck" or "good fortune." The "luck" present in The Hobbit is nothing other than the hand of providence and grace. In order to survive our life's journey like Bilbo, we need the supernatural assistance of grace and providence.
- Over and over again in the book, Tolkien presents characters who have fallen prey to dragon-sickness: pride and lust for gold or other material possessions. The Hobbit serves as a cautionary meditation on Matthew 6:21: "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Tolkien's profoundly Catholic worldview allows us to transcend a simply literal reading of the story and discover its theological richness. Bilbo Baggins and his adventures can serve as a mirror for our journey through life. Even though we won't find ourselves travelling through goblin-infested mountains, chased by spiders, or threatened by trolls, we can see that virtue is only attained through grace by slaying the monsters and demons which try to prevent our passage into eternal glory.
Download the accompanying reference guide.©2012 Saint Benedict Press (P)2012 Saint Benedict PressListeners also enjoyed...
-
The Hidden Meaning of The Lord of the Rings
- The Theological Vision in Tolkien's Fiction
- By: Joseph Pearce
- Narrated by: Joseph Pearce
- Length: 3 hrs and 35 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Join Joseph Pearce as he explores the great theological depth of the most popular work of literature in the 20th century, J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings. Despite the absence of any direct mention of Christ or the Catholic Church, Tolkien described his work as "fundamentally religious and Catholic." He was able to infuse his fictional world with theological orthodoxy through his creation of myth and a world order. Endowing his protagonists with Christian virtues, he also incorporated themes of grace and mercy.
-
-
Outstanding!
- By Pete Popovich on 02-17-21
By: Joseph Pearce
-
Frodo's Journey
- Discover the Hidden Meaning of the Lord of the Rings
- By: Joseph Pearce
- Narrated by: Kevin O'Brien
- Length: 3 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Here, Joseph Pearce, author of Bilbo's Journey uncovers the rich - and distinctly Christian - meaning just beneath the surface of The Lord of the Rings. Make the journey with Frodo as he makes his perilous trek from the Shire to Mordor, while Pearce expertly reveals the deeper, spiritual significance.
-
-
Wonderful book
- By Emily on 08-10-18
By: Joseph Pearce
-
Bilbo's Journey
- Discovering the Hidden Meaning in The Hobbit
- By: Joseph Pearce
- Narrated by: Kevin O'Brien
- Length: 3 hrs and 58 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Discover the Christian meaning in The Hobbit. In Bilbo's Journey, go beyond the dragons, dwarves, and elves, and discover the surprisingly deep meaning of J.R.R. Tolkien's classic novel The Hobbit.
-
-
Providence explained
- By Lorena on 03-01-24
By: Joseph Pearce
-
Literature: What Every Catholic Should Know
- By: Joseph Pearce
- Narrated by: Joseph Pearce
- Length: 6 hrs and 31 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In Literature: What Every Catholic Should Know, Joseph Pearce provides a survey of literary works of which all Catholics should be aware of. Beginning with Homer and Virgil, the book progresses chronologically through the greatest works of all time, including Dante, Chaucer, Shakespeare, Jane Austen, Dickens, Chesterton, Eliot, Tolkien, and Lewis.
-
-
Delightful
- By Kindle Customer on 10-01-24
By: Joseph Pearce
-
Further Up and Further In
- Understanding Narnia
- By: Joseph Pearce
- Narrated by: Jim Denison
- Length: 5 hrs and 48 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Beloved by generations of readers, the Chronicles of Narnia are thought, erroneously, by some to be "mere children's stories". In this volume, Joseph Pearce thoroughly debunks the error as he skillfully explains why there is nothing "mere" about such stories. Rather, the Narnia books contain profound insights concerning the human condition. Pearce, however, goes beyond even that and illuminates the deeper riches and profound truths found therein: the highest truths, in fact, those concerning God.
-
-
Just lovely
- By Tom Crowe on 07-29-23
By: Joseph Pearce
-
The Roots of Western Civilization
- The Ancient World From Gilgamesh to Augustine
- By: Anthony Esolen Ph.D.
- Narrated by: Anthony Esolen Ph.D.
- Length: 4 hrs and 16 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In this course, Prof. Anthony Esolen will examine ancient Mesopotamia, Greece, Rome and Israel, seeing the disappointment and Messianic longing in the pagan Roman poet Virgil, and the fulfilled Messianic longing among the prophets and the inspired authors of the Old Testament. You will discover the ways in which the fulfillment of the person of Jesus Christ never ceases to surprise mankind, because it never ceases to contradict what fallen man accepts as great.
-
-
Great content but...
- By C.J. Destefani on 02-06-20
-
The Hidden Meaning of The Lord of the Rings
- The Theological Vision in Tolkien's Fiction
- By: Joseph Pearce
- Narrated by: Joseph Pearce
- Length: 3 hrs and 35 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Join Joseph Pearce as he explores the great theological depth of the most popular work of literature in the 20th century, J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings. Despite the absence of any direct mention of Christ or the Catholic Church, Tolkien described his work as "fundamentally religious and Catholic." He was able to infuse his fictional world with theological orthodoxy through his creation of myth and a world order. Endowing his protagonists with Christian virtues, he also incorporated themes of grace and mercy.
-
-
Outstanding!
- By Pete Popovich on 02-17-21
By: Joseph Pearce
-
Frodo's Journey
- Discover the Hidden Meaning of the Lord of the Rings
- By: Joseph Pearce
- Narrated by: Kevin O'Brien
- Length: 3 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Here, Joseph Pearce, author of Bilbo's Journey uncovers the rich - and distinctly Christian - meaning just beneath the surface of The Lord of the Rings. Make the journey with Frodo as he makes his perilous trek from the Shire to Mordor, while Pearce expertly reveals the deeper, spiritual significance.
-
-
Wonderful book
- By Emily on 08-10-18
By: Joseph Pearce
-
Bilbo's Journey
- Discovering the Hidden Meaning in The Hobbit
- By: Joseph Pearce
- Narrated by: Kevin O'Brien
- Length: 3 hrs and 58 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Discover the Christian meaning in The Hobbit. In Bilbo's Journey, go beyond the dragons, dwarves, and elves, and discover the surprisingly deep meaning of J.R.R. Tolkien's classic novel The Hobbit.
-
-
Providence explained
- By Lorena on 03-01-24
By: Joseph Pearce
-
Literature: What Every Catholic Should Know
- By: Joseph Pearce
- Narrated by: Joseph Pearce
- Length: 6 hrs and 31 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In Literature: What Every Catholic Should Know, Joseph Pearce provides a survey of literary works of which all Catholics should be aware of. Beginning with Homer and Virgil, the book progresses chronologically through the greatest works of all time, including Dante, Chaucer, Shakespeare, Jane Austen, Dickens, Chesterton, Eliot, Tolkien, and Lewis.
-
-
Delightful
- By Kindle Customer on 10-01-24
By: Joseph Pearce
-
Further Up and Further In
- Understanding Narnia
- By: Joseph Pearce
- Narrated by: Jim Denison
- Length: 5 hrs and 48 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Beloved by generations of readers, the Chronicles of Narnia are thought, erroneously, by some to be "mere children's stories". In this volume, Joseph Pearce thoroughly debunks the error as he skillfully explains why there is nothing "mere" about such stories. Rather, the Narnia books contain profound insights concerning the human condition. Pearce, however, goes beyond even that and illuminates the deeper riches and profound truths found therein: the highest truths, in fact, those concerning God.
-
-
Just lovely
- By Tom Crowe on 07-29-23
By: Joseph Pearce
-
The Roots of Western Civilization
- The Ancient World From Gilgamesh to Augustine
- By: Anthony Esolen Ph.D.
- Narrated by: Anthony Esolen Ph.D.
- Length: 4 hrs and 16 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In this course, Prof. Anthony Esolen will examine ancient Mesopotamia, Greece, Rome and Israel, seeing the disappointment and Messianic longing in the pagan Roman poet Virgil, and the fulfilled Messianic longing among the prophets and the inspired authors of the Old Testament. You will discover the ways in which the fulfillment of the person of Jesus Christ never ceases to surprise mankind, because it never ceases to contradict what fallen man accepts as great.
-
-
Great content but...
- By C.J. Destefani on 02-06-20
-
The Spiritual Life
- The Keys to Growing Closer to God
- By: Jeffrey Kirby S.T.L
- Narrated by: Jeffrey Kirby S.T.L.
- Length: 3 hrs and 40 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
What does it mean to be close to God? In this course, Fr. Jeffrey Kirby will guide you through the most basic principles of the Spiritual Life, defining key terms and analyzing specific biblical verses that will greatly aid both newcomers to Christianity and those who have been Christian for years.
-
-
Blessed to Have Listened!
- By Kitten on 01-03-20
-
The World and the Person
- And Other Writings
- By: Romano Guardini
- Narrated by: Bob Souer
- Length: 21 hrs and 4 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
No Catholic library is complete without these five landmark works by Romano Guardini, one of the most important Catholic figures of the 20th century. This treasury of five monumental works by Romano Guardini, one of the most important Catholic figures of the 20th century, brings back the classic Regnery translations of Stella Lange with a new introduction by Robert Royal.
By: Romano Guardini
-
Antichrist and Apocalypse
- The 21 Prophecies of Revelation Unveiled and Described
- By: Taylor R. Marshall
- Narrated by: Kennedy Hall
- Length: 8 hrs and 19 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Can you answer this question: Who is the Antichrist and what is the Apocalypse? The earliest Christians following the Twelve Apostles often spoke and wrote about the arrival of the Antichrist before the return of Jesus Christ at the end of time. Best-selling author and professor Dr. Taylor Marshall provides an easy-to-understand collection of Church fathers, saints, and mystics as he pulls back the curtain on the end times prophecies of the Book of Revelation—the book originally called the Apocalypse.
-
-
Above my theological level
- By Richard Angulo on 11-24-22
-
The Lamb's Supper
- The Mass as Heaven on Earth
- By: Scott Hahn
- Narrated by: Scott Hahn
- Length: 4 hrs and 29 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Of all things Catholic, there is nothing that is so familiar as the Mass. With its unchanging prayers, the Mass fits Catholics like their favorite clothes. Yet most Catholics sitting in the pews on Sundays fail to see the powerful supernatural drama that enfolds them. Pope John Paul II described the Mass as "Heaven on Earth," explaining that what "we celebrate on Earth is a mysterious participation in the heavenly liturgy."
-
-
My Lord and My God - I'm home at last!
- By B on 05-26-12
By: Scott Hahn
-
The Incredible Catholic Mass
- By: Martin Von Cochem
- Narrated by: Kevin O'Brien
- Length: 13 hrs and 45 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The incredible Catholic Mass: an absolute revelation to most Catholics! Based on the Traditional Latin Mass, but actually about the essence of the Mass itself. Shows it is not just a prayer, but a powerful sacrifice given to us by almighty God to fulfill all our spiritual needs. You will divide your life into "before" and "after" you listen to this audiobook. Going to Mass will never be the same again, once you appreciate the significance of every Mass (as explained by this audiobook). Every Catholic needs to listen to this!
-
-
Narrator is distracting
- By Christopher Rose on 06-30-23
-
Dante's Inferno
- A Study on Part I of The Divine Comedy
- By: Anthony Esolen PhD
- Narrated by: Anthony Esolen PhD
- Length: 4 hrs and 38 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
With Professor Esolen you will enter the terrible gates of Hell and progress level by infernal level to its diabolical depths. Professor Esolen places a special emphasis on the drama of the poem, leading you through each canto in succession. Professor Esolen will more than satisfy your curiosity about Hell and the fate of the damned. He will reveal in all its starkness the horror of sin and awaken in your heart a longing for divine love.
-
-
THIS IS A LECTURER
- By Amazon Customer on 05-22-21
-
The Spirit of the Liturgy
- Commemorative Edition
- By: Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, Romano Guardini
- Narrated by: David Sanborn
- Length: 10 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Considered by Joseph Ratzinger devotees as his greatest work on the liturgy, this profound and beautifully written treatment of the "great prayer of the Church" will help listeners to deepen their understanding of the rites of the Church. The cardinal discusses fundamental misunderstandings of the Second Vatican Council's intentions for liturgical renewal, especially about the priest's orientation of prayer to the Father, the placement of the tabernacle in churches, and the posture of kneeling.
-
-
Excellent books on Catholic liturgy . . .
- By Thomas St. Catherine on 01-23-23
By: Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, and others
-
The City of God
- By: Saint Augustine
- Narrated by: David McCallion
- Length: 46 hrs and 32 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The City of God is one of the most important works of Christian history and philosophy ever written. The writings of St. Augustine are as intriguing to the casual reader as it is to Christian researchers. St. Augustine's work provides insight into Western thought and the development of Western civilizations. The City of God provides the reader with an artful contrast between earthy cities and those in heaven as a representation of the eternal struggle between good and evil. The City of God was originally penned in the early 5th century as a response to the prevalent belief that Christianity was to blame for the fall of Rome. St. Augustine is known as one of the most influential Fathers of the Catholic Church. Born November 13, 354, Augustine would eventually be recognized as a Saint by the Catholic Church, the Eastern Christian Church, and the Anglican Communion.
-
-
Wonderful Performance
- By Lana Jackson on 07-08-18
By: Saint Augustine
-
Jesus of Nazareth
- The Infancy Narratives
- By: Pope Benedict XVI
- Narrated by: Dan Woren
- Length: 3 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In 2007, Joseph Ratzinger published his first book as Pope Benedict XVI in order “to make known the figure and message of Jesus”. Now, the Pope focuses exclusively on the Gospel accounts of Jesus’ life as a child. The root of these stories is the experience of hope found in the birth of Jesus and the affirmations of surrender and service embodied in his parents, Joseph and Mary.
-
-
An Insightful Book from a Great Theologian
- By Nancy on 12-24-12
-
Reclaiming Catholic Social Teaching
- By: Anthony Esolen
- Narrated by: John Haynes Walker
- Length: 5 hrs and 52 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Many claim that Catholic Social Teaching implies the existence of a vast welfare state. In these pages, Anthony Esolen pulls back the curtain on these false philosophers, showing how they've undermined the authentic social teachings of the Church in order to neutralize the biggest threat to their plans for secularization the Catholic Church.
-
-
A must read
- By John on 07-17-15
By: Anthony Esolen
-
Angels and Saints
- A Biblical Guide to Friendship with God's Holy Ones
- By: Scott Hahn
- Narrated by: Scott Hahn
- Length: 4 hrs and 21 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Angels and saints. Catholics tend to think of them as different from the rest of us. They're cast in plaster or simpering on a holy card, performing miracles with superhero strength, or playing a harp in highest heaven.
Yet they are very near to us in every way. In this lively audiobook, Scott Hahn dispels the false notions and urban legends people use to keep the saints at a safe distance. The truth is that Jesus Christ has united heaven and earth in a close communion. Drawing deeply from Scripture, Dr. Hahn shows that the hosts of heaven surround the earthly Church as a "great cloud of witnesses".
-
-
Wonderful, thoughtful introduction to major saints
- By Deb Kastner on 12-06-14
By: Scott Hahn
-
Wisdom from the Psalms
- By: Peter Kreeft
- Narrated by: Mark Shea
- Length: 7 hrs and 58 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Psalms are the most popular, most universally loved and used book in the Bible, which in turn is the most popular book in the world. They are hymns, songs, poems, and prayers, both formal (liturgical and communal) and informal (spontaneous, personal, and individual); and this gives them many layers of meaning rather than one, unlike theologies and creeds. The Psalms are literally inexhaustible, so a new book of reflections on them is always welcome. Especially a book by the beloved, widely read, best-selling author and philosopher, Peter Kreeft.
-
-
Love the Psalms
- By B. Rheaume on 01-16-22
By: Peter Kreeft