Predestination in Middle-Earth

[Eladar]

I think it is generally believed that Eru was based on the God of the Bible. If this is true, then Eru's existance would be eternal. He would have no beginning and no end.

However, if time in Middle-Earth was an extension of constant, all encompassing existance (meaning that the cycle of cause and effect was endlessly connected and that what happened one minute ago could have as great (or small) an effect as what happened one millenium ago), then predestination seems to be woven into the very fabric of life.

From a Christian perspective, predestination does not fit this description. God has a plan and this plan must become reality. Beings with free will may try to fight against God's plan, but all they end up doing is help to bring it about.