SwallowedUpInVictory
Member
In Judeo-christian tradition man is made in the image of God. This is the basis for human dignity and was the anchor for human rights movements and the reason why their declarations were developed in the western world. I wonder where in Middle-Earth we have a parallel. Elves and Men are called "Children of Eru" which sounds similar to biblical "Children of God" being quite different though (to Jewish and different again to Christian understanding).
Nevertheless, "Children of Eru" is a special term only used for those two races in the whole of creation of Arda. Why? The Ainur did not take part in their design, I know, but what makes them so special compared to the Ainur?
I hoped to get an answer in NOME and the chapter "Primal Impulse" looked very promising but in the end it only talks about the Children of God being in the image of animals and plants. In other words not in the image of God but in the image of a great design.
"But Eru even in intruding the Children took as their shape a form [?that]
though altered and refined, resembles in less or even in great degree the
forms of beasts."
Is the concept of being in the image of God so strongly biblical that it would have destroyed the immersion into Middle-Earth? Is there something like Human/Elven Dignity in Middle-Earth at all?
The ends does not justify the means (especially when it comes to human lives) in Tolkiens vision. But I also remember the insinuation of Gandalf torturing Gollum for a greater cause. Also some argue that there is rather a Dignity of Nature, not only oh Humans.
I would like to know your thoughts
Nevertheless, "Children of Eru" is a special term only used for those two races in the whole of creation of Arda. Why? The Ainur did not take part in their design, I know, but what makes them so special compared to the Ainur?
I hoped to get an answer in NOME and the chapter "Primal Impulse" looked very promising but in the end it only talks about the Children of God being in the image of animals and plants. In other words not in the image of God but in the image of a great design.
"But Eru even in intruding the Children took as their shape a form [?that]
though altered and refined, resembles in less or even in great degree the
forms of beasts."
Is the concept of being in the image of God so strongly biblical that it would have destroyed the immersion into Middle-Earth? Is there something like Human/Elven Dignity in Middle-Earth at all?
The ends does not justify the means (especially when it comes to human lives) in Tolkiens vision. But I also remember the insinuation of Gandalf torturing Gollum for a greater cause. Also some argue that there is rather a Dignity of Nature, not only oh Humans.
I would like to know your thoughts