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I don't see the contradiction you speak of.

Tolkien, as a devout christian, to my knowledge believed in a God who was before time, created the world and will judge us all when we die.

At the risk of sounding disrespectful to christian members of this forum, I don't think that this belief is any more realistic than the belief that fire-breathing dragons or invisibility rings once existed. The existance of God is in itself 'magical' so to speak, and if He exists, everything else science can't explain is also possible.

Tolkien seemed to be obsessed with the world and everything in it as fallen, as everything ancient is depicted as bigger, better and fairer. Even the sun is a second best alternative. So, in conclusion, I certainly believe that Tolkien was writing a mythology for this world we live in. Once very magical, now rather faded and grey.