GUEST EDITORIAL: Angelology vs. Theology

By Tim Hogue, Pastor • Murmil Heights Baptist Church, El Dorado

      In this age of information and knowledge, Angelology, the doctrine of angels, has become of heightened interest to many as man grapples with the need to explain the workings of God, many of which are not for us to understand nor provide answers. That is no more apparent than with the popular topic of “fallen angels.”

      When one examines the term doctrine and its definition, the beliefs of man based upon his/her interpretation of the Scripture, an apparent dichotomy appears. First is “created doctrine,” in which Scripture is forced to say what the theologian wants. The opposite is “revealed doctrine,” where Scripture is allowed to speak for itself, and the facts are discovered as they are presented. Like the Theory of Evolution, while being unproven, has grown to be taught as presumed fact and a bedrock of science in our educational system, certain interpretations of Scripture and the subsequent opinions of men, “created doctrines,” have become accepted and are being taught today as truth.

      When examining these doctrines, we must first ask ourselves why there seems to be such a great obsession regarding angels lately. It appears that this interest by many, both inside and outside of the church, has really ramped up since the 1980s. I can’t recall hearing a sermon or reading a Sunday School lesson that asserted the “Sons of God” in Genesis 6 were angels. I also never heard the term Nephilim referenced. Of course, that’s partly due to the adherence to the King James Bible. I believe one contributing factor to this doctrine being more prevalent today is that of educational instruction. Today’s fulfillment of prophecy is another factor in the increased fascination with angels, demons, etc. The Bible teaches us that there will be a rise in spiritualism, demonism, witchcraft and occultism during the times preceding the second coming of Christ.

      The Bible warns us about the dangers of worshipping or putting too much emphasis on angels. Apparently, there was an issue with the Colossian believers regarding angel worship. The Apostle Paul addressed this concern in Col. 2:18: “Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind.” Paul stated we should be on guard against those who would rob us of the rewards of Christian living by leading us into worshipping angels. He accused those deceivers of teaching from an egotistical mind of things they claimed as truth but hadn’t a clue.

      I am not suggesting that this issue exists in the Baptist church today. However, let me assert that many Christians today are walking a very thin line with their respective interests regarding angelology. The Word of God defines an idol as anything we put before God. Many today are obsessed with angels, demons, Nephilim, etc., to the point of being distracting or deterred from carrying out more vital Christian duties and commands. It is disheartening to see what lengths some will go to and what stretches some will make with Scripture to validate these beliefs. If one spends more time focused on angels than on Jesus and winning souls, is there a conflict?

      Ironically, when we attempt to solidify our respective beliefs about angels, what we believe about God (theology) will truly define this doctrine. Angelology is far from being an exact science. The first pitfall is the silence of Scripture. There are many aspects regarding angelic beings on which the Bible is silent. Secondly, there is the accuracy of interpretation. How do we assure we understand what the Bible does say about angels correctly? Thirdly, superstition and mythology influence the view of angels. Sadly, these influences have impacted how many within the church view these beings.

      Even though there may exist some ambiguity and/or mystery regarding angels, there is no question regarding Jehovah God’s qualities. Even though we do not possess the mind of God and will never totally comprehend His existence on this side of eternity, the Bible clearly defines His attributes as well as His role in creation and His purpose in and for humanity. Genesis to Revelation illustrates these qualities beyond any doubt.

      The first thing I believe about God is that His creation was and still is perfect. Genesis 1:31 reads, “And God saw everything that he had made, and, behold, it was very good…” Every aspect of God’s creative work is still functioning as He intended. Satan, man, nor any angelic being has ever altered God’s plan for His creation. God has never struggled with Satan, fallen angels or the Nephilim over the control of this universe.

      We also see that God’s authority structure, which He established within creation, is still intact. According to Scripture, man was given total dominion over the earth and was commanded by God to subdue it. Angels are charged with man’s protection, not predominance (Psa. 91:11). Adhering to the angelic rebellion theories would suggest that one would have to at least entertain the possibility that God is struggling to keep His creation in order. The argument that a rebellion of angels was the cause of God destroying mankind, save Noah and his family, is totally baseless in Scripture. Yes, there were satanic influences afoot, but it was the sins of men, not angels, that brought about God’s judgment. Genesis 6:3 references that God’s spirit will …not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh. The rebellion that ultimately initiated this cataclysmic deluge happened not in the days of Noah but in the Garden of Eden. It was not due to any perverted sexual act between angels and mankind but when Adam sinned against a holy and righteous God.

      The Bible does mention an angelic rebellion and subsequent war, but it was fought in Heaven, not here on earth. This rebellion didn’t go so well for the enemies of God. “And there was war in heaven… the dragon fought and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was their place found anymore in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil… and his angels cast out with him” (Rev. 12:9).

      I also believe God’s intent, design and purpose of all nature is still intact. Genesis 1:24 states that God commanded His creation to reproduce kind for kind. Therefore, the theory of a created angelic being mating with a human being would suggest to me that God has lost control of nature. From what the Bible does tell us about angels, it is highly likely that they are finite in number, and if so, there hasn’t been nor will there ever be a need for them to reproduce. Jesus even said, in Matt. 22:30, “For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.”

      Lastly, if this sin, the intermarrying of angels and women, was the cause of Noah’s flood, and if it is believed by some to have continued after the flood, why is this sexual act not important enough to be mentioned within the Law? In His Word, God forbade incest, homosexuality, bestiality, adultery and fornication, but not this act? Also, if this unnatural union was and is possible, why don’t we see evidence of it today? Has God changed His mind even though He said, “…I change not” (Mal. 3:6).

      The second thing I believe about God is His Word is perfect, all-encompassing, inerrant and authoritative. I believe we have a Bible which gives us all that is needed regarding angels without giving credence to other writings which are highly disputed and deemed not worthy of being included in the official Canon. Also, placing unwarranted confidence in the writings of church historians and fathers over what is found in God’s Word is also a danger. Many of these men were Catholic in their beliefs and were not necessarily associated with the New Testament Church of Acts. The theory of the “Sons of God” in Genesis 6 being angels and the resulting offspring being the giants, mighty men, Nephilim, would suggest that God’s Word lacks needed details and is incomplete in its content and intent. When considering Old Testament Scripture, it is vital to objective exegesis to always refer back to the language in which it was written rather than leaning on sources whose foundation is not the Masoretic Text and who have falsely translated the term “Sons of God” into “the angels of God.” There are too many questions for these theories to be proven plausible, and the Bible just doesn’t supply the answers to those questions.

      The third and most important thing I believe about God is that His redemption plan is perfect and untainted. The Bible tells us that the redemption of mankind was set in motion before the creation of the universe. John writes, in Rev. 13:8, “And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” I like how Dr. Harold Willmington said, “Before the first Adam was placed in the garden, the second Adam was already preparing for the cross.” The Bible is clear that the angels are eternal, soulless, bodiless beings who are unredeemable. II Peter 2:4 reads, “For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell…” The theory of Nephilim existing as half angelic-half human would suggest to me that God’s plan of redemption for mankind had been compromised.

      To adhere to this theory, one would have to entertain the possibility that God allowed this creature to be born not redeemable and bound to feel the full brunt of God’s judgment. I realize some in the BMA would argue that God has indeed done that very thing. However, such an accusation is also baseless in Scripture and is even more troubling. The Bible tells us Jesus died on the cross for mankind, not angels or half-breed Nephilim. According to Scripture, Jesus is our great high priest who understands and gets our struggles, and He was tempted just as we are. “For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham” (Heb. 2:16). For Jesus to be our redeemer, our kinsman redeemer, He has to relate to us. Jesus was human and God while here on earth. However, He has never been an angel nor a half angel-half man and therefore would not relate to any such being if it indeed existed and could not nor would not redeem it. Ultimately, God would never allow Satan nor any angel to do anything to mar the beautiful picture of redemption for mankind through His Son, Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul summed things up when he wrote, “For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers…. shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 8:38-39).