Creation And Freedom In Tolkien's Silmarilion | Philip Neri Reese, OP
May 17, 2023
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Dominican theologian Philip Neri Reese, OP, discusses creation, freedom, and Tolkien's Silmarilion. Topics include the concept of human freedom and divine providence, Molina's doctrine of middle knowledge, physical promotion, the relationship between divine causality and human freedom, the role of music in 'The Silmarilion', and different levels of reality and truth.
Molina's doctrine of middle knowledge proposes that some of God's knowledge is prior knowledge of contingent things, reconciling human freedom and divine providence.
Banyas' doctrine of physical promotion prioritizes God causing our free acts, reconciling human freedom and divine providence in a better way.
Deep dives
Molina's Troubles and Middle Knowledge
The speaker introduces the talk by acknowledging the need for apologies and thank yous. They explain the talk is about Tolkien and the Silmarillion but does not start that way. The speaker delves into the troubles of Luis de Molina and his concern over the compatibility of free will and divine providence. Molina believes that for human acts to be truly free, they must be our own and not caused by anything else, not even God. This leads to the problem of reconciling human freedom with the idea that God is the ultimate source of everything. Molina proposes the doctrine of middle knowledge to solve this problem, stating that some of God's knowledge is prior knowledge of contingent things. God knows what will happen in every possible case and how he will respond, without taking away human freedom.
Banyas' Critique and Physical Promotion
The speaker introduces Domingo Banyas as another troubled figure who criticizes Molina's solution. Banyas argues that Molina's doctrine of middle knowledge subordinates God to his creatures and does not address the problem adequately. Banyas proposes the doctrine of physical promotion, in which God causes both necessary and contingent things to happen. Banyas insists that God must be the universal cause of everything, and that the order of causes should prioritize God causing our free acts, rather than us causing God's free acts. Banyas believes that this doctrine better reconciles human freedom and divine providence.
Tolkien's Creation in the Silmarillion
The speaker shifts focus to J.R.R. Tolkien's creation myth in the Silmarillion, known as the Inolindale or the music of the Ainur. They explain that the creation myth offers insights into the compatibility between freedom and providence. The myth begins with the Ainur, created by Eru Ilúvatar, who sing themes of music. Melkor introduces dissonance, causing discord. Eru intervenes, showing that no theme played deviates from his ultimate source, and that his actions cannot be altered. The speaker argues that Tolkien's creation myth supports Banyas' view by emphasizing that God, or in this case, Tolkien as the creator, is the universal cause of everything, including both necessary and contingent aspects of the story.
The Implications for Human Creativity
The speaker concludes by discussing the implications of Banyas' view for human creativity and artistry. They suggest that the relationship between artist and artwork mirrors the relationship between God and creation. Just as God is the universal cause of all things, artists are the universal cause of their creations. The speaker argues that all forms of art, including literature and music, can be seen as examples of Banyas' theory of physical promotion, highlighting how artists exercise causality over their works. They emphasize the significance and dignity of human creativity and the privilege of participating in the act of creation.
