A Questioning Faith What or who are angels and do they fit into religion today?

Ground Rules Series is a teaching lesson, not a sermon Series explores questions rather than providing conclusive answers Series encourages disagreement and discussion I think I am usually right!

Top Ten Questions About Angels

1. Who or what are angels? Spiritual beings Serve at God’s command Deliver messages Help God’s people Punish God’s enemies

2. Does the bible speak of other spiritual beings? Seraphim Isaiah 6:1-7 Fiery beings Attendants or guardians before the divine throne Six wings Serpentine in form

Cherubs Mentioned 92 times Many different forms Borrowed from Near Eastern traditions Cherubs were hybrids- unnatural in form Guardians (Genesis 3:24)

3. How many angels are there? No specific number Very great “Do you not think that I can appeal to my Father, and he will at once send twelve legions of angels?” Matthew 26:53

4. What do angels look like? No clear description Often look like humans Often have the dramatic presence of the holy No wings or halos- Wings began in 5 th century art

5. How do angels compare to humans? Created by God Angels are heavenly beings Participate in the holy council Humans created a little lower than the angels

6. How did angels originate? Created by God Psalm 148 implies they were created at the beginning of all creation Understanding of role has changed over time

Changes in roles of angels Older biblical texts- angels and God get mixed Example- Jacob wrestles with ?

Later as God is seen as transcendent angels become more developed Inter-testimental period: hierarchy of angels is created with specific duties Example: Earlier writings God controlled the heavens, by this time angels now have that responsibility

New Testament Dualistic worldview Some allied with God and some with Satan

7. Have Some Angels Fallen? Much discussion centers around this issue General story of the fall of angels

Story A Genesis 6:1-4 Example of angels corrupting the human race before the flood

Alternative Interpretation Example of the breakdown in God’s created order, human sin even draws in the cosmos

Story B Isaiah 14:12-15 Speaks of the fall from heaven of a person called “Morning Star” Title “Morning Star” is translated “Lucifer” in the Latin Vulgate

Alternative Interpretation “Morning Star” is a Canaanite divine title This text clearly speaks of the King of Babylon (cf. Isaiah 14:4)

Story C From a non-canonical book- “Life of Adam and Eve” God calls for Michael and Satan to bow down Michael does, Satan does not Satan rebels and takes some angels with him

Conclusion Best textual evidence of a fall is unclear New Testament believes that Satan and his angels are against God Battle is cosmic in scope and God and His angels will be triumphant

8. What is their job description? Praise GodMessengers from God

Watch Over PeopleGive Guidance

Give ProtectionGive Deliverance

Give sustenance Instruments of Judgment

9. What are guardian angels? Each person is assigned a guardian angel at birth “How great the dignity of the soul since each one has from its birth an angel commissioned to guard it.” St. Jerome

Not an article of faith in the Roman Catholic Church, but it is in the mind of the Church

10. How do angels fit into religion today? More popular than ever interviewed in UK Experienced visions, auditory warnings and physical touch from angels

,700 people polled 55% believed they have been protected by a guardian angel during their life

Angel groups Angel shops Certified Angel Therapy practitioners

Conclusions Belief in angels have a life of their own Bible gives witness to their vital role in God’s work on earth and in heaven

Conclusions Reformed Tradition has down played the importance of angels Calvin said the study of angels was a waste of time Luther prayed that he would never meet an angel Our belief needs to bring us back to God

If it is all about God Angels are transcendent beings “Angels in the bible never appear as cute chubby infants. They are always full-grown. When people in the bible see an angel, their typical response was to fall on their faces in fear and awe, not to reach out and tickle an adorable baby.” John Bechtle

Angels are not our possession Angels are beings created by God for God’s use Angels illustrate God’s loving care for His creation (not just us)

Angels in the end are filled with mystery, our understanding is limited Angels are not about us, but about what God is doing in the world