There is another story that I believe reflects how predestination works in Middle-earth, the story of Arvedui.
Quote:
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'Arvedui was indded the last king, as his name signifies. It is said that this name was given to him at bis birth by Mabeth the Seer, who said to his father: "Arvedui you shall call him, for he will be the last in Arthedain. Though a choice will come to the Dunedain, and if they take the one that seems less hopeful, then your son will change his name and become king of a great real. If not, then much sorrow and many lives of men shall pass, until the Dundain arise and are united again."
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Using The Saucepan Man's example of the unpassable mountain, perhaps the mountain only appears to be unpassable. We can aways try the impossible and it may lead to success, but most of the time people choose the safe and wise course. Only the most brave and noble will choose the difficult road through which victory might be achieved.
One comment on Eru representing other gods such as Oden, I agree that Tolkien worked many elements of multiple myths into his myth, but Eru most closely resembles the God of the Bible. Eru is the source of all creation. I'm not aware of any others who make this claim.