[drigel]

Both Form's and Davem's points have validity. I am guilty as anyone in illustrating a point that is really, at best, a conjecture, or a conjecture to the author's intention of the subject. Knowing what I think the author had originally invisioned as far as the Legendarium goes, I am translating a certain "theology" (of my own imagination) into LOTR. Fact is, there is (as, of course, totally intended by the author) no mention of Eru in LOTR. There is mention of Varda/Elbereth, which connects the whole deific structure that the Ainulindalë, Valaquenta, and the Akallabêth references (I think the Akallabêth most important to this subject - as it is the direct source of the accounts of Elendil and co., Of the Rings of Power, plus - the kicker IMO to the subject - the relase of Vala gaurdianship of Ea, and its breaking).

Where some might read magic, or good story-boarding, I read the nuance of the Divine influence in ME. Not elf divine or Manwe divine, but Divine. Very discretely and subtely inserted into the story by the author. The Valar can no longer ride in and save the day at this point, or any point after the breaking, even though it's always been one of their own that's caused all the evil.

So, I read LOTR as it's written, a novel. It's part of the whole (legendarium), but it's more than history of events written by a scribe. It's translated from it, and been fairy taled. It's closed circuit, as it were. More than a hobbit's tale - it is a study of the human condition, life and death and the divine.

Any direct parallels to our God are up to the reader to decide. But, there is only One..,,