This past summer I lamented the disparity between huge interest in angels in the culture of North Atlantic nations (at least) and the deafening silence from scholars, including most lamentably the theologians. We of all people ought to have something coherent to say. Yet we're too often afraid of being called irrational or silly so we too often shy away from books on angels and write instead on hot topics in other disciplines like climate change (in the natural sciences) or forgiveness (in the social sciences). Now I of course think climate change and forgiveness are incredibly important topics for living through to the other side of the 21st century. We should be writing theology on exactly such matters.
Still, I say: people are fascinated by angels and almost always have been. It comes especially to the fore this time of year, in pop culture and in the hymns and scriptures of the Christian church especially. Yet no serious books have taken this up, especially at the level of good theology written at a popular level and with solid historical and contemporary research as a foundation. We need a good book on angels. It could be beautiful and hilarious, given how wide-spread the fascination actually is. So imagine my surprise and delight to arrive at my in-laws' home for Christmas and find an article on angels in the Holiday issue of the usually staid weekly The Economist.
The cover photo is fantastic, combining the article on angels with another very good article on why we love music. The article would be a great starting place for further work, noting the presence of angels in literature, art, religion and (of course) in the experience--especially near-death--of ordinary people. Almost as fun as the article, I read through the growing list of comments on the article with interest in how a fairly non-religious audience was coping with a fairly risky cover story. My favorite comment includes a quote from the article, followed by the opinion:
"Anyone who supposes that the potential of the human mind is scarcely yet tapped or appreciated, and that its operations may extend to levels far subtler and higher than the senses can grasp, is leaving space for an angelic realm."
Well said. I am a materialist; but wrestling, like Jacob, with quantum physics reveals that "material" is as mysterious as any concept humans have ever imagined. A learned fool is proud of his knowledge. Wisdom teaches that none of us, nor all of us together, knows very much.
Merry Christmas, all! Sing along with the angelic chorus, "Gloria, in excelsis deo"
Peace,
Chris
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