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Originally Posted by alatar
To me what doesn't map out exactly is whereas the Elves had direct contact with the Valar and Maia - and even saw them as cousins - we do not have the same intermediary group. In Tolkien's world one has Iluvatar, Valar, Maia, Elves then humans. In a Christian world (which is what I assume we are discussing) one has the triune God, the arch-angels and angels then humans. And when humans encountered the Maia (at least in the case of the Istari), they did not see them as 'messengers of God' nor as spirit beings. Any thoughts?
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To reply,
I wonder whether or not Tolkien wanted his world to map out exactly. ?? Is his world supposed to be completely as realistic as some hold our world to be? The intermediary groups need not have corrolaries in the 'real' (is it real?) world.
And though it seems that men did not hold the Istari in highest regard, those few like Aragorn or Legolas or Elrond did bow and give him some trifle of obeisance did they not?
And, since we
do seem to be discussing, there are mentions of intermediary beings. Can you not recall, if you are as knowledgeable as you seem to be in Christian and para-Christian history and ancient theologies, the angelic men of the Nephilim? The Giants of Gaza? Goliath, and the sons of Anak? Thats a little of the track of this discussion, though.
b_b