Parallels with Christianity, and their effect on his work

[Meneltarmacil]

As a Christian, I would consider the Valar very powerful angels. Some people could call them gods, but they are not. They are mighty, but not all-powerful. Only God (or Eru, as he is called here) is, and Tolkien clearly did not mean for the Valar to be gods. For further proof...

The Great among these spirits the Elves name the Valar, the Powers of Arda, and Men have often called them gods.

This quote from the Silmarillion states that the Valar are still only "spirits", very powerful, but not gods, although people have (mistakenly) called them gods.

[ August 16, 2003: Message edited by: Meneltarmacil ]