The atrocity of the Akallabêth

[Raynor]

Originally Posted by davem

Numenor requires Eru's incarnation into Arda

I think you are misreading the Atrabeth; Eru's incarnation is required so as to finnally remove all traces of Melkor's marring.

Originally Posted by davem

Eru intevenes into the world in a major way for the only time

What about the coming of the Children? Is that a lesser even on the grand scheme of things than the shaping of a planet, which would be meaningless without them?

Originally Posted by davem

Tolkien's comment that 'already it is too close to a parody of Christianity' shows his discomfort with the idea of Eru incarnating into M-e

I disagree. I believe it shows his discomfort with the fact that his story would explicitly contain the Christian religion, which he considered, in Letter #131, fatal to a story - a recurrent idea in the letters.

Originally Posted by davem

In other words, Eru can either be a 'mystery' - ie he can remain outside the world altogether

He doesn't remain outside altogether. I would like to invite you to review the refferences I gave in post #189, which show Eru's continuous participation in the story. He is not present as a person, but through his deeds and interventions.