Eldest?

[Kuruharan]

I believe the bodies of the Valar were not biologically alive when they 'inhabited' them.

At one point I also held this opinion. However, I was eventually talked out of it. Unfortunately, it was a number of years ago and I don't remember exactly what made me change my mind (in fact I don't remember for sure who it was who changed my mind ). I just have a vague recollection of an altered conviction.

I think the argument ran something along the lines of, "If the bodies the Valar inhabited were capable of engaging in humanoid activity, then they had to have been biologically alive throughout. Even the Valar could engage in these activities without becoming permanently tied to their bodies." At least, I think that was how the argument ran.