What is "The Secret Fire"
Burns
Gandalf states that he is a "servant of the Secret Fire" during his
encounter with the Balrog in Kazad-Dum. In "The Silmarillion", JRRT tells of
Eru (Illuvatar) sending the Secret Fire into the Void and giving form to the
world for the Valar. Does JRRT ever give a clear explanation of what exactly
is meant by "the Secret Fire" or what it entails?
My thanks in advance.
--B
Tim Elf
"Burns" <bu...@texas.net> wrote:
From my understanding (can't recall if this was in Letters or a commentary),
the Secret Fire was Tolkien's way of referring to the Holy Spirit.
Tim
No, I won't be troll-baited into an argument about the Trinity.
"Now we can talk about reality, and I would like to talk about reality
sometime, authentic reality, inauthentic reality, and what we have to do to
accept what we see." -Hillary Clinton
David Salo
In article <Xuch1.2199$BG4.1...@news.giganews.com>, "Burns"
<NOSPAM!!!!!> wrote:
> Gandalf states that he is a "servant of the Secret Fire" during his
> encounter with the Balrog in Kazad-Dum. In "The Silmarillion", JRRT tells of
> Eru (Illuvatar) sending the Secret Fire into the Void and giving form to the
> world for the Valar. Does JRRT ever give a clear explanation of what exactly
> is meant by "the Secret Fire" or what it entails?
The "Secret Fire" is referred to in the Valaquenta: "and the Secret Fire
was sent to burn at the heart of the World; and it was called Ea." (the
World, that is, not the Secret Fire!)
Since Iluvatar says in the Ainulindale "And I will send forth into the
Void the Flame Imperishable, and it shall be at the heart of the World, and
the World shall Be", and since Iluvatar "kindled" the Ainur "with the Flame
Imperishable"; and Melkor went into the void seeking the Imperishable
Flame, in order to create existing things of his own "Yet he found not the
Fire, for it is with Iluvatar," it would seem that the Secret Fire and the
Flame Imperishable are the same thing; that part or emanation or power of
Iluvatar which lends being to existing things.
DS