|
Please bear in mind that there's two things we're not: a Potter board, and a bible discussion board.
That being said,I believe we have to make an important differentiation when it comes to "magic" in the Legendarium.
On one side, we would have _morgul_, 'sorcery'. This is practiced by Melkor and his followers: Sauron the Necromancer prominently among them, but also mortals such as the Mouth of Sauron if I recall correctly. This magic, though ultimately part of the creation and adding to the Grand Design just like everything Melkor ever did, springs from the great primeval sin of defying Eru and his creation. Therefore, it is inherently bad. This hardly poses a conflict to a Christian conception.
The other side would actually be wisdom and skill rather than actual magic, let alone sorcery -- the Q. term would be _nole_. That certain aspects of the Quendi might seem magical but are actually just supreme skill or applied knowledge is established.
What this _knowledge_ exactly is can be answered easily: insight into the ways of the world, gained from being close to the creator and the Ainur as opposed acting against them. Gandalf's magic has its source in his special nature as one present at creation, and arguably being faithful to it. That something like this can exist - in a fictional world on top of that - is hardly a-christian either.
What the actual difference between the two kinds of "magic" is more difficult to say. Perhaps one has its source in Melkor's dischord solely.
|