The image of Eru - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Kin-strife · 10-15-2001, 08:02 AM

This is my first post in this forum so please don't heckle my ignorance too harshly.

Were men and Elves created in God's image as in Christian belief? It is said of Ilùvatar in The Ainulindale "and his face was terrible to behold", this suggests that Ilùvatar did indeed have a form of somekind before the vision of the world. This allways puzzled me as I thought the Valar were the first to take "shape and hue" when they entered into Ea. It also says that the Valar took shape after the Children of Ilùvatar not the other way round. Perhaps the line refers to the mood the Ainur could perceive which would reflect on his face had he had one or something. I'd be interested in hearing other opinions on the subject.

P.S. I am aware that the "in his image" line probably refers to more than just his physical image but let's set that aside for the moment.

10-15-2001, 08:02 AM	#1
Kin-strife Haunting Spirit Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Dublin, Ireland Posts: 58	The image of Eru This is my first post in this forum so please don't heckle my ignorance too harshly. Were men and Elves created in God's image as in Christian belief? It is said of Ilùvatar in The Ainulindale "and his face was terrible to behold", this suggests that Ilùvatar did indeed have a form of somekind before the vision of the world. This allways puzzled me as I thought the Valar were the first to take "shape and hue" when they entered into Ea. It also says that the Valar took shape after the Children of Ilùvatar not the other way round. Perhaps the line refers to the mood the Ainur could perceive which would reflect on his face had he had one or something. I'd be interested in hearing other opinions on the subject. P.S. I am aware that the "in his image" line probably refers to more than just his physical image but let's set that aside for the moment. __________________ "Come away, O human child!/ To the waters and the wild/With a faery hand in hand,/ For the world's more full of weeping than you can understand."