Reading the article by Dr. R. Rhodes, I found many interesting thoughts and evidences which corresponded to my personal observations. Fortunately, I am not into New Age philosophy. My interpretation of angels is conservatively-Christian, meaning I consider them as God messengers, who help but also punish. From strictly scientific perspective, meaning studying of the ancient texts of Hebrew, I see angels more as creatures to be afraid of rather than to attract. After all, Satan and demons are also angels with the different color of wings. Subsequently, my perception is far from New Age interpretation. Concerning the perception of angels by Christians, angels are seen as protective messengers of God. On the other hand, most of the Christians, I know, forget that angels might perform acts of God, aiming towards punishment of humanity. Thus, their perception is partly influenced by New Age, but in a sense that they might interpret angels as nice, little babies with the fluffy wings and red chicks, often shown on the post-cards. Those images actually depict cupids rather than angels, but, nevertheless, people are likely to interpret angels in more positive way of general image rather than reading the Bible on the topic. Concerning counterarguments of populist images of angels and New Age interpretations, the best argumentation would be examples from the script. For instance, the angels’ actions in the events of Sodom and Gomorrah are the most vivid example. The three major points at which people misunderstand angels refer to the following aspects and their biblical responses. First of all, people think that all angels are good. This is false. Lucifer is also an angel and the Bible says that “Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light” (2 Cor.11:14) (qtd. in Rhodes 1992). Secondly, not all people are capable of distinguishing good and evil spirits right away. The Bible says that only some people in church are gifted of “distinguishing between spirits” (1 Cor. 12:10) (qtd. in Rhodes 1992). Finally, people are wrong thinking that angels act outside God’s will. The example of this is given in Revelation from John 22:8-9 and his acquaintance with the heavenly angel who said that man should not bow to anyone except for God (Rhodes 1992).
Reference
Rhodes, R.1992. Close Encounters of the Celestial kind: Evaluating Today’s Angel Craze.
http://home.earthlink.net/~ronrhodes/AngelsArticle.html
