Assuming that more trick-or-treaters would be dressed up as demons than angels this weekend, we focused our question for our latest Theoblogger Challenge appropriately. Are Demons Real? invited pastors, theologians and seminary students to reflect on the existence of demons today. But one of our regular contributors, Bruce Epperly, politely refused our invitation and chose instead to give his energy to the question of angels. So, to give equal time this week to angels, as well as demons, we share his reflection below:
Angels all around us?
I believe that philosophies err more in what they deny that in what they affirm. This is surely the case with belief in angels. Liberal Christians have tended to deny trans-rational realities such as Jesus’ healings, the resurrection, mystical experiences, and angels. Recently, however, moderate and progressive Christians have become open to mystical and paranormal experiences, including belief in angels as divine messengers, sharing divine wisdom and guidance through dreams, intuitions, and unexpected encounters. In contrast to popular notions of angels as beings at our beck and call, biblical theology suggests that angels announce what God imagines for us in terms of service to others and the planet. Angels bring joy; but this is the joy of relationship, not self-interest; promoting justice rather than individual prosperity. Angels invite us to seek abundant life for everyone as we live out our vocation as God’s partners in healing the world.
Photo credit: Christine Valters Paintner
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