[Raynor]

Originally Posted by Squatter

in fact the only two qualities demanded of the Children of Ilúvatar

I would agree with that, as long as the first quality, belief in Him, implies all the universe of moral values and actions.

Originally Posted by Squatter

he makes the amount of divine assistance only make up the difference between the power required to do something and the chosen instrument's inherent ability to do it.

I can only agree with this argument on the base that Eru has omniscience and knew in fact what will be the necessary amount of grace. However, I believe that a more accurate interpretation would be that Eru grants grace as the current circumstances require, and not more or for anything else (that is, grace is not established apriori at a fixed amount, if we can so speak). As we both have argued and quoted, He would not be deprived of his Children, no matter their shortfallings.

Originally Posted by Squatter

You seem to be suggesting that Sauron or Morgoth can institute a complete reign of evil if successful.

Yes. This is "theoretically" possible, since Gandalf states that:

Originally Posted by Last Debate, RotK

If he regains it, your valour is vain, and his victory will be swift and complete: so complete that none can foresee the end of it while this world lasts.

You yourself have quoted that if Sauron won, he would have demanded absolute power over the world; also at the last debate, it is made clear that through military power Sauron cannot be defeated. So, while Sauron is not Absolute Evil (as stated in the letters), he could have, strictly military speaking, won.

Originally Posted by Squatter

if a word equates to an idea then they are interchangeable

I would express my reserve, although I have close to zero qualification in this field. In many languages, many words can have not one, but more, different meanings, a good amount of them dependant on the context. However, I will accept your interpretation and I will apologise in my turn for bringing it up, by presuming in the other thread that it was ofermode you had in mind.

Originally Posted by Squatter

Could it be that Eru incarnate would be vulnerable to physical injury and death in the same way as was Christ?

I wouldn't agree. I don't think he would require an embodiment; even the Valar have the ability to work many things with thought, rather than hand (cf Of the Sun and Moon and the Hiding of Valinor), and they may also send messages (as does Olorin, who sends fair visions, or promptings of wisdom, cf Valaquenta). Even so, there are examples of substances which cannot be destroyed, such as those of the halls of Mandos. All in all, it all comes down to power, of which Eru would have, arguably, in unlimited supply at an instant disposal, and he can, at least from outside, influence events to His own ends.