Magic vs. Power - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Iarwain · 03-18-2003, 08:23 PM

Great passage from Genesis, Bill. Madeleine L'Engle wrote an entire book based on information provided in that brief and mysterious statement. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

I've always felt the same about Tolkien's inspiration. Even when other's have pointed out the Christian resemblance, I completely refused to believe at first. However, that does not change my view that from a spiritual aspect, "magic" in middle earth was never learned, it was practiced as an innate power from Iluvatar, or given from bent Maiar to evil men who were corrupted by Sauron. What rationality would allow power to be gained like a college degree, changing the very fibre of a being just through learning a few empty words and phrases? I do not believe that Iluvatar would allow or perform such deep changes to the innate characters of men whom he had gifted such great things.

I've always had the idea that one of the Nazgul came from the far east. I imagine their rulers would make good Nazgul (good, that is for Sauron's purposes, no one else's [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] )

Iarwain

03-18-2003, 08:23 PM	#11
Iarwain Pugnaciously Primordial Paradox Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Birnham Wood Posts: 800	Great passage from Genesis, Bill. Madeleine L'Engle wrote an entire book based on information provided in that brief and mysterious statement. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] I've always felt the same about Tolkien's inspiration. Even when other's have pointed out the Christian resemblance, I completely refused to believe at first. However, that does not change my view that from a spiritual aspect, "magic" in middle earth was never learned, it was practiced as an innate power from Iluvatar, or given from bent Maiar to evil men who were corrupted by Sauron. What rationality would allow power to be gained like a college degree, changing the very fibre of a being just through learning a few empty words and phrases? I do not believe that Iluvatar would allow or perform such deep changes to the innate characters of men whom he had gifted such great things. I've always had the idea that one of the Nazgul came from the far east. I imagine their rulers would make good Nazgul (good, that is for Sauron's purposes, no one else's [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] ) Iarwain __________________ "And what are oaths but words we say to God?"