The Silmarillion:Ainulindalë

***Valandil*** · 08-21-2018, 12:49 PM

Like Alcuin, I also see a re-telling/re-shaping of a Judeo-Christian Creation story in the Ainulindale. My understanding is that JRRT wanted to maintain the all-powerful Judeo-Christian God, but also include figures akin to pantheons of gods found in the Mythology of the Greeks/Norse/so many others. The Ainulindale - and the relationships established therein - was his solution.

In this vein, I DO see Melkor as a clear Satan-figure. Yes - he was blessed with great gifts. How he used them... was up to him.

I think it was JRRT's intent to show things this way. To make Melkor into a Satan-figure. I remember a quote by Christopher Tolkien about JRRT's later years - and some philosophical shifts he made. Almost as though he wanted to reconcile his earlier views and histories of Middle Earth with what he believed about Christianity/Christian theology.

08-21-2018, 12:49 PM	#1
*Valandil* High King at Annuminas Administrator Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Wyoming - USA Posts: 10,752	Like Alcuin, I also see a re-telling/re-shaping of a Judeo-Christian Creation story in the Ainulindale. My understanding is that JRRT wanted to maintain the all-powerful Judeo-Christian God, but also include figures akin to pantheons of gods found in the Mythology of the Greeks/Norse/so many others. The Ainulindale - and the relationships established therein - was his solution. In this vein, I DO see Melkor as a clear Satan-figure. Yes - he was blessed with great gifts. How he used them... was up to him. I think it was JRRT's intent to show things this way. To make Melkor into a Satan-figure. I remember a quote by Christopher Tolkien about JRRT's later years - and some philosophical shifts he made. Almost as though he wanted to reconcile his earlier views and histories of Middle Earth with what he believed about Christianity/Christian theology. __________________ My Fanfic: Letters of Firiel Tales of Nolduryon Visitors Come to Court Ñ á ë ?* ó ú é ä ï ö Ö ñ É Þ ð ß ® ™ [Xurl=Xhttp://entmoot.tolkientrail.com/showthread.php?s=&postid=ABCXYZ#postABCXYZ]text[/Xurl] Splitting Threads is SUCH Hard Work!!