Tolkien & Trump: The Professor or the Profligate with Dr. Craig Boyd

Homebrewed Christianity

Dr. Tripp Fuller | Theologian, Philosopher, Minister

Religion & Spirituality, Christianity

4.6 • 612 Ratings

🗓️ 27 November 2025

⏱️ 110 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Alright Tolkien Heads, this one's important. Dr. Craig Boyd joins us to dig into Tolkien's political philosophy and—look, we gotta talk about how the alt-right has been trying to claim Tolkien as one of their own, which is just... no. Craig offers a much-needed corrective by actually reading what the man wrote and believed. The heart of the conversation is this contrast between Gandalf and Saruman as two models of leadership: one rooted in service and humility, the other in domination and control. And yeah, this feels pretty relevant right now. We get into why the easy path of controlling people is so seductive, and why the harder road—actually loving and respecting the folks you're leading—is what builds real community. Saruman thought he could use the enemy's tools for good ends; spoiler alert, it doesn't work that way. Power-hoarding corrupts everything it touches. Gandalf shows us another way: sacrifice, humility, genuine care for human flourishing over accumulating influence. Whether you're a Tolkien nerd, into political philosophy, or just trying to figure out what faithful leadership looks like in this moment, this one's for you. You can WATCH the conversation on YouTube UPCOMING ONLINE ADVENT CLASS w/ Diana Butler Bass⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join us for a transformative four-week Advent journey exploring how the four gospels speak their own revolutionary word against empire—both in their ancient context under Roman occupation and for our contemporary world shaped by capitalism, militarism, and nationalism. This course invites you into an alternative calendar and rhythm. We'll discover how these ancient texts of resistance offer wisdom for our own moment of political turmoil, economic inequality, and ecological crisis. This class is donation-based, including 0. You can sign-up at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.HomebrewedClasses.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ This podcast is a ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Homebrewed Christianity ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠production. Follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠the Homebrewed Christianity⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Theology Nerd Throwdown⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Rise of Bonhoeffer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ podcasts for more theological goodness for your earbuds. Join over 70,000other people by joining our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Substack - Process This!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get instant access to over 50 classes at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.TheologyClass.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow the podcast, drop a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, send ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠feedback/questions⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or become a ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠member of the HBC Community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Hey, friends, this is Tripp, and coming up this December, Diana Boller Bass is joining me for a four-week
0:10.0	Advent class, the journey up to Christmas, the beginning of the church year, and I would love
0:16.6	for you to join us. The class is called the beginning of another world, Advent against Empire, and each week
0:22.8	we're going to have a live stream and you'll get the recording and stuff as well that looks
0:27.7	at each of the four Gospels and the way in which they understand, describe, and wrestle with
0:34.0	the coming of God.
0:35.4	And we'll look at those texts, but also see what are the
0:37.8	invitations each of these gospel writers are giving us today? How can the coming of God in Christ
0:44.4	in that time help us reflect on the coming of God in ours? And if this sounds fun, if it sounds exciting,
0:51.6	if you want to connect with an online community, this advent,
0:54.9	then come and join me and Diana Butler Bass. It's donation-based, including zero.
1:00.9	And all you got to do is head over to homebrewdclasses.com. That's right. Homebrewdclasses.com.
1:07.5	Join up. Invite your friends. And, uh, you know, we'll see you online this Advent season.
1:14.8	Ever wondered if theological education was for you, but weren't sure who'd talk to about it.
1:20.9	Garrett's seminary is forming laity discernment cohorts to support people and discerning their
1:25.3	vocation and how to embrace it. Regardless of where
1:28.2	and how you were called, theological education can support you and offer tools for the journey.
1:33.2	Seminary gives you the knowledge to support your work in congregations and communities, the spiritual
1:38.0	formation to invigorate your leadership, and the practical skills you need to cultivate communities
1:42.7	of justice, compassion, and hope.
1:44.9	In Garrett's program, you'll meet monthly with 20 students who are on the same journey to talk through resources,
1:50.2	dream of how you can be in ministry, and dip your toe into the water of theological education.
	...

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