Original Sin in Arda - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

doug*platypus · 01-07-2003, 06:29 AM

Admittedly, the whole concept is easier in our one world, because we only have one race of so-called sentient beings, humans. The repercussions of the Original Sin of Adam/Eve, humans, were felt by other humans.

Bill, I don't see how the Fall of Melkor could possibly have had repercussions for the Children of Eru (and Aulë) - is that not dissimilar to what Original Sin is about?

The Athrabeth surely is case enough to show that the Race of Men were to be subject to the Christian concept of Original Sin, although unless I'm wrong Athrabeth isn't exactly canonical (what year was it written, by the way?). Did Elves and Dwarves have to experience similar Falls in order to bring Sin and its repercussions into their worlds. Surely the Fall of Man would not have had connotations for the other races?

Could the races be ranked in terms of righteousness (or sinfulness) by their lifespans - Ents, Elves, Dwarves, Men/Hobbits? If Eru shortened the lifespan of Men because of their Fall, might he have done the same for the other Races? Elves are "not quite immortal" according to some.

Bill, what exactly do you mean by "choosing rightly"? Choosing to worship God/Eru? Gar... so many questions...

01-07-2003, 06:29 AM	#6
doug*platypus Delver in the Deep Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Aotearoa Posts: 960	Admittedly, the whole concept is easier in our one world, because we only have one race of so-called sentient beings, humans. The repercussions of the Original Sin of Adam/Eve, humans, were felt by other humans. Bill, I don't see how the Fall of Melkor could possibly have had repercussions for the Children of Eru (and Aulë) - is that not dissimilar to what Original Sin is about? The Athrabeth surely is case enough to show that the Race of Men were to be subject to the Christian concept of Original Sin, although unless I'm wrong Athrabeth isn't exactly canonical (what year was it written, by the way?). Did Elves and Dwarves have to experience similar Falls in order to bring Sin and its repercussions into their worlds. Surely the Fall of Man would not have had connotations for the other races? Could the races be ranked in terms of righteousness (or sinfulness) by their lifespans - Ents, Elves, Dwarves, Men/Hobbits? If Eru shortened the lifespan of Men because of their Fall, might he have done the same for the other Races? Elves are "not quite immortal" according to some. Bill, what exactly do you mean by "choosing rightly"? Choosing to worship God/Eru? Gar... so many questions... __________________ But Gwindor answered: 'The doom lies in yourself, not in your name'.