Book 1, Ch 2: The Shadow of the Past (Part 2)

Chapter 2 attributes strange intelligence and cohesion to the concept of evil and also more than hints at providence, the moving of Good in the world, which is to say the moving of a power beyond all powers, but in a way that leaves so little trace in the world even Gandalf can only guess at it.

As a theologian, I can only say that this represents the reality of providence truer than in typical religious fiction (though I’m not against Lewis’s direct approach either, since he carries it off with enough intelligence).

As for the almost unaccountable united will of evil forces, strange wayfarers began at this time to appear in the Shire and some spoke in whispers of the Enemy and the Land of Mordor. Trolls were no longer dull-witted, but cunning. Bilbo does not suspect the unwholesome effects of the Ring and even Gandalf doesn’t know why a shadow fell on his heart. The wisest of the Wise has become proud and he allays Gandalf’s concerns as times grow more perilous with each passing month. Almost too late Gandalf realizes what the Ring is.

But, funny thing, the one imperiled by the Ring is a Hobbit, and not a man. And there is a design in that, a sign of providence, for soft as butter they [Hobbits] can be, and yet sometimes as tough as old tree-roots, able to resist the Rings far longer than most of the Wise would believe.

And Gandalf glances into the mystery of providence and describes it as best the Seraphim can. He has pondered the strange history of the Ring, how with a will of its own it left Gollum’s hand, and it would have been suited to be found by an Orc in the roots of the mountains, but its decision to leave Gollum came right as Bilbo was crawling in the dark where it lay. Behind that there was something else at work, beyond any design of the Ring-Maker. I can put it no plainer than by saying that Bilbo was meant to find the Ring, and not by its maker.

As for Frodo, Gandalf says he can be sure it was not for any merit . . . but you have been chosen, and you must therefore use such strength and heart and wits as you have.

No one could have said it better.