This will also be quick, but hopefully helpful in defining the parameters of the discussion somewhat. I believe Leofwine is correct to say that Iluvatar created us and then allowed humanity, elves, dwarves (whom he sanctioned), ents, Maiar, Valar and so on to govern ourselves and to make our own decisions. The existence of the Valar does not inhibit Tolkien's deism (if this is the correct definition of deism) because they too largely kept out of the way. Being lesser than Eru, they occasionally lapsed into fault and interferred where they did not need to.