My encounter with Angels.

Back to Lewis carroll on meaning of words!

Is it a serious subject? Not to me!

Greatnan - . I know this may be considered a serious subject, but your last sentence made me laugh!

Ian - do you have any evidence for your view of what an angel is? I don't mean unsubstantiated feelings that somebody or something was helping someone, but verifiable proof? Until that is given to me, I will continue to exercise my right to class angels with fairies.
Just because St. Thomas Aquinas said something it does not mean I have to accept it.

What is an Angel?

Up to this point we have formed a general impression about what angels do, but have explained nothing about their nature. St. Augustine wrote that “ ‘angel’ is the name of theirfunction, not of their nature. If you seek the name of their nature, it is ‘spirit.’ ”4 Precisely what a pure “spirit” or an angel is has been the object of much theological debate.
St. Thomas Aquinas thought that an angel is a totally immaterial, limited being which possesses a separate intellectual substance. In this light we see that in no way should an angel be mistaken for a ghost or a soul separated from a human body. An angel by its nature is created to exist apart from a body.
Because angels are not composed of any material substance whatsoever, but are held in being by God, they cannot decay and perish; and they are not vulnerable to physical injury or death at the hands of other creatures. Angels, like human souls, do not occupy a quantitative space. A human soul does not occupy any single part of the human body, and yet it exercises its power everywhere in the body. In this respect, angels are similar to the human soul, since they act upon the physical world and have effects there in large and small ways without occupying a certainplace.
Aside from acting as celestial couriers who deliver messages between God and humans, angels can also act directly on material things and can influence human actions in a number of ways. As we have already noted, the actions of angels on earth and in relation to human beings sometimes require that an angel assume a quasi-human form in order to accomplish a mission. Such an assumed body is not a living organism, however, but only looks and acts like one. How angels appropriate matter into a human form is their own practical concern.
The important point for us to remember is that the ultimate cause of all such change is God. Likewise, when an angel moves a material object locally, it is only by God’s will that this is achieved.
Angels assist us and only perform miracles as God’s agents, at his command and with his consent.
An angel can act indirectly upon the intellect and will of a person in much the same way as one human influences another. However, an angel’s ability to influence someone is far more powerful than any human attempt to do the same. Yet, even with their superior intellect and will, an angel has no privileged access to our thoughts or to our free will. An angel is able to stir a person’s imagination and emotions in persuasive and effective ways in order to influence the will. What an angel cannot do is infuse knowledge into a human mind anymore than a teacher can pour ideas into a student’s mind.

A bit early isn't it? Oh good grief, is that the time?
cheers! All!

ok

The astray bits are fun, and I love them. I just don't want to listen to sniping in whatever guise.

This is the first time I've ever joined in an altercation on GN, and that's enough for me, my dear friends. Off for some .

I really liked Ian42's original post though.

Don't get too down about it Anagram.

I nearly lasted a whole week without getting into trouble.

No, I don't mind a little humour, and I'm a sceptic about all this anyway. But a bit of gentle humour is enough for me.

And me. I led you astray....

It's all my fault. Talking about Angel Delight last night. Sent the thread right off course.

Sorry Ian.

We were slightly intellectual there for one brief moment! And now, as SOOP says, back to the kindergarten.

I do find this newish take on Angels a little bemusing - are they part of Christianity still or has the idea of them taken on a life of its own? It all seems a bit fairy like.

Digression: do read "Knowledge of Angels" by Jill Paton Walsh - a superb novel exploring the ideas of angels (Aquinas type, not modern ideas) versus science, set in the middle ages. Intelligent and moving.

However, I've better things to do than hang around on this corner waiting for brickbats. I'm off to watch Alexander Armstrong and 'Pointless'...if you get my drift

iamjingl 'Pretty pathetic' sums up what I'm thinking right this minute.

jeni Sometimes, someone, takes me right back to the kindergarten playground. At that age, we played messy...

Actually, I think it's pretty pathetic, comparing someone's genuine belief in angels to a belief in fairies.

Am warming up very nicely, thanks iamjingl Wait 'til I'm in overdrive...

Ladies! Pleeeease!

Go for it SOOP!

iamjingl YES! jantheawas being serious...and No! she certainly does not lack "emotional intelligence"...although I often have my doubts when reading certain comments such as the one to which I'm responding.

Back to Stratford now, aren't we?

Oh, I love that phrase - 'flights of angels'.

Goodnight sweet prince.........

Sigh!

No, Greatnan, I don't think angels would be affected by your non-belief in them! They would perhaps be sad....