Ashley Kitchens brought us a very non-cliche lesson on one of Christianity's cliche images - angels. It's one of those topics that's a little weird and a little scary. Throughout Christian art (think Sistine Chapel...etc) and popular western movies and TV (Michael, Touched by an Angel, It's a Wonderful Life), angels have been depicted in one way or another. That depiction versus the Biblical references to them was the topic of our lesson on Sunday. Some are good and some are bad. But how do we know what is right?
As with most things spiritual and Christian we can use three basic tests... Is the idea/belief/action supported by God's Biblical Word? Does it fall in line with Christ's example as revealed in the Bible? Does it glorify and lift up God and not man? Think about the "angel" examples you know of...how do they stack up?
In the Bible there are accounts of "fallen" angels that are working at cross purposes to God's plans in this world. We considered their role in the chaos and confusion that exists in this world...how their messages don't bring glory to God, but strive to push us toward following our own selfish goals and desires.
There are several different roles that the good angels play in the Biblical stories...protectors, providers of provision, messengers, encourager, and many more. One of the dangers is not seeing past the "angel" to the One who they are representing...God and His Son. Does this whole "supernatural" thing kind of scare you? It does me, but then what is God and Jesus and this whole Christianity stuff, but some really BIG, OUT OF THIS WORLD idea. Jesus wasn't just some humble little teacher, and God isn't some little benign clockmaker that wound up the world one day. According to our beliefs (and according to logic...see CS Lewis Mere Christianity), we are in a world that is locked in a battle for the hearts of men. We are either working for God or against...but we are living "in enemy territory" - again CS Lewis... There are forces at work, we are a part of the battle, what we do really matters.
So thanks for a good lesson Ms Ashley Kitchens...you got us thinking a little bit about the darker and lighter side of this life...in a supernatural sense.
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What a summation master Bart! If you want to go to the site where I got this particular article, there are about 16 more articles...some about the bare bones "what is an angel," some about all different types of things about angels and their messages from God...it is http://ibelieveinangels.com/
Click on the sidebar on the left hand side that says Bible Studies and Articles and it will bring up the page with the 15 or so other articles that I didnt choose. I read some of them, they just seemed a little long for disscussion in class...
enjoy
ashley
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