[greyhavener]

Tolkien's a writer, not a theologian. Archetects who are Christians don't just build churches. Writers who are Christians don't just write Christian books. I think as a student of folklore Tolkien blended a lot of elements from several cultures into his stories. I tend to agree with whoever said Eru being the source of evil sort of cheapens Frodo's struggle up Mount Doom.

As far as Christianity is concerned I think whoever brought up Mystery is onto something. I'd like to add another concept to that: Trust and Faith. I choose to use my free will to believe that God is the origin of all good and that evil cannot exist in His presence. As a creation I am not privy to the entire mind or motives of the Creator, but I choose to trust and cooperate with Him. I'll let Him keep His position as Guy in Charge.

My best understanding of this question of evil would be to begin with God's nature. A relationship with any being that would satisfy a Him whose nature is Love must include freedom to return that love at will. In that freedom there is a potential to reject. The result of that rejection is ultimately evil. God perhaps created the potential for evil in allowing for possible rejection, however I think that His nature would not allow for enslavement, another evil. Free will must have extended even to the angels, since one-third followed Lucifer. Lucifer chose to reject God in his refusal to accept his position (which was top angel by the way--second or fourth from the top depending on how you view the Trinity). Instead he wanted to be equal to His own Creator. I don't even know if he had an agenda for change in heaven, he just wanted to be in charge. I doubt he found his separation from God or his resulting position as head evil guy satisfying. I doubt the other angels are particularly cooperative seeing they all want to be in charge themselves. The temptation in the garden was perhaps the same sort of temptation..."you can know what God knows." I'm no theologian, that's just my take on it. This is a wonderfully thought provoking discussion. Everyone that's posted has given me something to ponder. Thanks.

[ May 18, 2002: Message edited by: greyhavener ]