From the Bible to Network Television Angels Are a Part of Our World
The winged messengers of God are such familiar figures in the Bible, art and literature, that we almost take them for granted. In the Middle Ages they were very important and the subject of great theological debates.
There is the old story that theologians would struggle over the problem of how many angels could dance on the head of a pin. And during these times of their popularity, images of angels were seen everywhere: in churches, on public buildings, on monuments of every description.
By the time of the Renaissance with the rediscovery of the Greek and Roman classics, the depiction of angels became somewhat distorted. They were great muscular Greek gods or fat, rosy, naked babies like Cupids and were called cherubs --a far cry from the cherubim of the Bible. By the 19th century, angels were depicted more often in feminine form, beautiful winged ladies who looked after little children.
In our late 20th and early 21st centuries angels have had a comeback. New-agers took a great interest in things "spiritual" including angels. Billy Graham's book on Angels (1975) was a best-seller. Most surprising was to see American network television (Viacom's CBS), usually so timid with regard to anything respectful of Biblical faith, take a risk and find a top-rated program in Touched by an Angel.
A Brief Biblical Primer on Angels
There are 158 references to angels in the Old Testament. In the New Testament there are 178 references to angels.
Angels were created before humans. Job 38:7Sampling of Comments from Church Leaders about Angels
It seems as though Satan may have originally been a beautiful angel of light who rebelled against God. Isaiah 14:12, Luke 10:18
Angels are spiritual beings. Matthew 22:30
They are numerous. Genesis 32:2
Angels are associated with visions of God. Exodus 3:2
There are different classifications of angels. Isaiah 6:1, Psalm 80:1
Each of us has a guardian angel. Matthew 18:10
Angels are joyful about and fascinated by the salvation that God provided for a fallen human race. Luke 15:10, 1 Peter 1:12
The first two chapters of the book of Hebrews tells us more about angels than any other single place in Scripture.
The angels worshiped when Jesus came into the world. Hebrews 1:6, Luke 2:13
Angels are called "ministering spirits" who are assigned to serve those who are to obtain salvation. Hebrews 1:14
Christians are urged to be hospitable and to open their homes to welcome strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels without even knowing it. Hebrews 13:2
Much to Learn about Them -- St. Ignatius (c.35-c.107)
For even I, though I am bound [for Christ] yet am not on that account able to understand heavenly things, and the places of the angels, and their gatherings under their respective princes, things visible and invisible . . . . I am still but a learner . . . . (Epistle to the Trallians, Ante-Nicene Father, Vol. 1)
We Are Not to Pray to Them -- Origen (c.185-c.254)
For to invoke angels without having obtained a knowledge of their nature greater than is possessed by men would be contrary to reason. But, comformably to our hypothesis, let this knowledge of them, which is something wonderful and mysterious, be obtained. Then this knowledge, making known to us their nature, and the offices to which they are severally appointed, will not permit us to pray with confidence to any other than to the Supreme God, who is sufficient for all things . . . . (Origen Against Celsus, Book 5, Chapter 5, Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol. 4)
They Are Powerful -- St. Augustine (354-430)
There is a certain greatness in the angels; and such power, that if the angels exert it to the full, it cannot be withstood. And every man desireth the power of the angels, but their righteousness every man loveth not. First love righteousness, and power shall follow thee. (On Psalm 96, Nicene and post-Nicene Fathers, Vol. 8)
They Are Full of Joy and Songs --Luther on the Nature of Angels and their Love for Us.
Forget what fallen man dreams about angels . . . . [they] sing with joy the glory of God . . . . They acknowledge that everything is of God . . . . They themselves give nothing and with great zeal they . . . give praise only to the one to whom it belongs. Therefore, if you want to bring to mind humble, pure, obedient, God-pleasing and joyous hearts in God, then think of these angels. Here you see what kind and great friends they are to us, that they are no less favorable to us than they are to themselves, also rejoicing over our salvation as if it were their own . . . . See, that is true of the angels not according to what they are, which the masters of natural reason deal with but nothing comes of it, but rather it is true of their innermost hearts, desire, thought and understanding. For I do not know what they are but rather what their highest desire and constant work is which one sees in their heart.
In 1584 in Wittenberg, Luther preached on "The Song of the Angels," "Glory to God in the Highest and peace on earth, good will to men." The Rev. Joel R. Baseley translated it from the German in 2000. This is adapted from that translation. For the complete message, go to www.flash.net/~markv01/1009s.htm.
They Are On Call... and Not Just One -- John Calvin on Angels from his Institutes of the Christian Religion, Vol. I, Chapter 14
This, indeed, I hold for certain, that each of us is cared for, not by one angel merely, but that all with one consent watch for our safety. . . . It is certain that spirits have no bodily shape, and yet Scripture, in accommodation to us, describes them under the form of winged Cherubim and Seraphim; not without cause, to assure us that when occasion requires, they will hasten to our aid with incredible swiftness, winging their way to us with the speed of lightening.
. . . Angels are ministering spirits (Hebrews 1:14); whose service God employs for the protection of his people, and by whose means he distributes his favors among men, and also executes other works. [St. Paul] appears to have had a severe contest with some who so exalted angels as to make them superiors of Christ. Hence he so anxiously urges us in his Epistle to the Colossians (Colossians 1:16, 20) that Christ is not only superior to all angels, but that all endowments which they possess are derived from him; thus warning us against forsaking him, by turning to those who are not sufficient for themselves, but must draw with us at a common fountain.
The Angel and the Landmark
The tomb of the emperor Hadrian (reign: AD 117-138) was built on the west bank of the Tiber River in Rome. In the year 590 a plague raged in the city of Rome. It is said that during a procession asking God to end the plague, a vision of the Archangel Michael was seen hovering over the tomb of Hadrian, one of the high points in the city. He was seen sheathing his flaming sword to signal the end of the plague. Supposedly, because of this vision, a bronze statue of the archangel was placed on top of the ancient building, now called Castel Sant' Angelo.
The Angels Are Interested in Us
According to Dr. Billy Graham in Angels: God's Secret Agents (Doubleday & Co., Inc., 1975), "The angels are observing firsthand the building of the body of the true Church in all places of his dominion at this very hour.
"But what are they thinking as we live in the world's arena? Do they observe us as we stand fast in the faith and walk in righteousness? Or may they be wondering at our lack of commitment? . . .
"Our certainty that angels right now witness how we are walking through life should mightily influence the decisions we make. God is watching, and His angels are interested spectators, too."
Why Angels?
St. Gregory of Nazianzus (329-389) was a theologian and hymn writer. His father was a bishop. His mother, Nonna, was a deaconess. Here is what he had to say about angels:
"Since for the goodness of God it was not sufficient to be occupied only with the contemplation of Himself, but it was needful that good should extend further and further, so that the number of those who receive grace might be as many as possible, therefore, God devised first of all the angelic, heavenly powers: and the thought became deed, which was fulfilled by the Word, and perfected by the Spirit . . . . And inasmuch as the first world was pleasing to Him, He devised another world, material and visible, the orderly composition of heaven and earth."
Originally published June 11, 2010.
