tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6789188.post8241251968533017106..comments2024-03-27T17:15:37.606-04:00Comments on Triablogue: Angels from the realms of gloryRyanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17809283662428917799noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6789188.post-56939754450085510272015-07-14T20:38:41.123-04:002015-07-14T20:38:41.123-04:00I think the subject of angels is an underappreciat...I think the subject of angels is an underappreciated apologetical angle (almost typed "angel"). I think apologists sometimes stay away from the topic because in the past (and present) it has been overtaken by non-Christians, the New Age and by charismatics. However, it's precisely because angelic encounters are universal (among Christians and non-Christians) that it points to the reality of the supernatural. In which case, testimonies of angelic encounters from every point of view would be evidence against materialism and naturalism. Even if it's not specifically confirmatory of Christianity. That's true even though from a Christian perspective some angelic encounters (especially among non-Christians) would be demonic deceptions/counterfeits. They are STILL evidence for the reality of the supernatural. <br /><br />But even then, as Christians we wouldn't have to categorize all non-Christian testimonies as demonic since Christian theology allows for the possibility for God to send or approve of the good angels to help out non-Christians. Sometimes because they may have future descendants who are to inherit salvation. Even the predestinarian John Calvin taught that out of sheer benevolence God sometimes answers the prayers of non-Christians.<br /><br /><i>There is one psalm which clearly teaches that prayers are not without effect, though they do not penetrate to heaven by faith (Ps. 107:6, 13, 19). For it enumerates the prayers which, by natural instinct, necessity extorts from unbelievers not less than from believers, and to which it shows by the event, <b>that God is, notwithstanding, propitious</b>. Is it to testify by such readiness to hear that their prayers [i.e. non-Christians'] are agreeable to him? Nay; it is, first, to magnify or display his mercy by the circumstance, that <b>even the wishes of unbelievers are not denied</b>; and, secondly, to stimulate his true worshippers to more urgent prayer, when they see that <b>sometimes even the wailings of the ungodly are not without avail</b>.</i> [Calvin's Institutes, third book, chapter 20 section 15]<br /><br />My blog: <a href="http://www.misclane.blogspot.com/2013/04/evidence-and-testimonies-of-demonic-and.html" rel="nofollow">Evidence and Testimonies of Demonic and Angelic Encounters</a>ANNOYED PINOYhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00714774340084597206noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6789188.post-61996292434347492822015-07-14T13:23:00.811-04:002015-07-14T13:23:00.811-04:00The real question remains: "How many angels c...The real question remains: "How many angels can dance on the head of a pin?"<br /><br />Just kidding - interesting thoughts on an interesting subject. They were at least around to rejoice at God's creative acts a la Job 38.CRhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03231394164372721485noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6789188.post-53783176176974365362015-07-14T09:54:40.884-04:002015-07-14T09:54:40.884-04:00The entire subject of angels is an interesting stu...The entire subject of angels is an interesting study. CS Lewis and his science fiction works speculate in interesting ways. Principalities and powers apparently refer to levels of hierarchy of which we know very little. How long those "powers that be" have actually ruled over their various appointed domains in respect to "earth time" may only be revealed at the second coming of Christ. It seems to me that your proposal makes good common sense, though. God and the angelic realm are "outside space and time" and therefore are not subject to the laws of the physical world except as God decrees. I pray that all will be revealed when we see HIM face to face.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00729029248815671902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6789188.post-75930059970217912302015-07-14T03:28:42.417-04:002015-07-14T03:28:42.417-04:00Thanks, Steve. :-) This is a really intriguing con...Thanks, Steve. :-) This is a really intriguing concept.rockingwithhawkinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10550503108269371174noreply@blogger.com