Íluvatar's opponents?

[Legolas]

Eru knew that people might act outside of his wishes, and in knowing that, he knew they were also defeating themselves, so he worried not.

Had Melkor not turned out bad, Eru's will would not have been completely fulfilled (or, perhaps the better word is appreciated).

Appreciated is a good word - I don't think 'fulfilled' works, though. No one acting evil would just mean that Eru's design would never be proved perfect. It was obvious that someone would do bad to do that though. If no one had, then the world would be all the better.

Also, Morgoth was not the only one who could turn bad. Tolkien makes apparent in the Osanwe-kenta that Morgoth's place could've well been filled by any of the other Valar. (And if not a Valar, surely another being would've done evil.)

Evil is not required for good to be, though. Before the world was created and Morgoth was given his knowledge of Arda, the Ainur still abode with Eru and everything was peachy then (just as the angels praised God prior to Lucifer's fall, if you're familiar with that story).

[ January 22, 2003: Message edited by: Legolas ]