[Psycho_Bunny]

You're right, Wizards weren't sent by Eru, they were sent by the Valar.

The cosmology of Tolkien is EXTREEMLY Christian. Eru was The One God...the Valar were his Arch-Angels, Melkor was the fallen Arch-Angel that created evil and fought against the rest. Wizards were under the employ of the 'good' Arch-Angels. The Balrogs were Melkor’s equivalent agents….

[Restorer]

I've always found Tolkien's cosmology regarding the Valar fascinating. They are essentially the Greek/Roman/Norse gods, far larger and more powerful than men, but are equally creations. God (Eru or Illuvatar) remains God but drops out of the story for thousands of years, till the point the Numenoreans invade Valinor, the home of the Valar.

Then they call on "The One" and he destroys Numenor and removes Valinor from the Earth, so that only magical Elven ships can ever reach it again.

Considering the cataclysm created by God's direct intervention, it's understandable that the Valar didn't call on him more frequently!

I thought the whole story was a great way to have your cake and eat it, too. Monotheism and demi-gods both.