ANGELS, PART V, Guardian Angels
Quotable Quote: “So, the primary thing that guardian angels do is to assist each person to come to a saving knowledge of the Gospel.”
According to BeliefNet, both Protestants and Catholics believe in guardian angels. I think it is important to add that the Eastern Orthodox also share this belief. Yet, it is not just Christians who hold this belief. A 2008 survey by Baylor University’s Institute for Studies of Religion found that one in five people who say they are not religious also believe they have a guardian angel. Okay, I admit, that is a head-scratcher. So, you’re not religious but you have a guardian angel…hmmmm?
There is no doubt that the Orthodox and Catholics have a more defined belief in guardian angels. Protestants shy away from going too far beyond direct statements in Scripture, so they tend to have a more generalized recognition that there are probably guardian angels assigned to humans, but they leave it at that. I am a devotee of “faith informed by reason” so I am willing to entertain theological inquiry informed by faith. Plus, let’s face it, it is a fascinating topic and it is certainly a more uplifting subject than a lot of the sludge pumped out by our culture.
WHERE DID THE IDEA COME FROM?
The answer is Jesus.
Matthew 18:10. “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.”
WHEN DO WE GET A GUARDIAN ANGEL?
Thomas Aquinas, Jerome and Anselm represent the three different opinions as to when we are assigned an angel. Jerome taught (along with others) that we are assigned an angel at our baptism. This, of course, excludes non-believers from angelic protection. Aquinas put the assignment at birth because he believed it was fitting that all humans are worthy of angelic protection. He provided stellar arguments for this position and seems to have convinced most Christians that even non-believers have guardians. The brilliant Anselm put the assignment of an angel at conception because that is the moment that a human is created (the human soul being a miraculous creation by God). I tend to go with Anselm.
WHAT DO THEY DO?
The simple answer to the question as to what guardian angels do is that they do God’s will in regard to us. What is God’s will for us? Paul stated it clearly and simply.
1 Timothy 2:3-4 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
God’s will is that all people are saved. His love includes all of us. So, the primary thing that guardian angels do is to assist each person to come to a saving knowledge of the Gospel. Because God wants all people to be saved, reinforces Anselm’s and Aquinas’ view that each person is worthy of angelic protection and guidance because of God’s immense love and, also, because of the dignity of humanity.
I might add, Jerome’s view that only baptized Christians have guardian angels, in my mind, tends toward the “We four and no more” brand of Christianity. Some Christians limit God’s love to the predestined “elect.” A scriptural position can probably be built to back this exclusivist position; however, I think it takes a lot of tortured “scriptural semantics” and, in my opinion, it violates the obvious spirit of the New Testament. It certainly doesn’t match well with the words and deeds of Jesus.
So, guardian angels are charged with guiding the individual toward God and His truth. Anecdotally, you may have heard that many Muslims are encountering Christ through dreams and visions. This probably represents the work of angels assigned to individuals. I think this is wonderful.
HOW DO ANGELS COMMUNICATE WITH US?
There are two ways that angels communicate with us. The rare way is seen at the “tipping point” moments in Scripture and church history. In those decisive moments an angel makes himself visibly present to someone and may actually speak to them in a human language. This, though, is rare.
The more common way that angels communicate to us is by putting thoughts in our minds, images into our imaginations, or feelings into our emotions. We probably have all had the experience of suddenly having a godly thought come to us. Another common experience that many have had is a strong impression that “this is for you” while listening to a sermon. Something jumps out of a sermon, a devotional, or a teaching that seems to be just for us. Angels are known for doing this sort of thing.
They also can work on our emotions. We may get a strong emotional sense that we have to do something, or go somewhere, or help someone, or pray for something. Many of us have experienced a feeling that came out of nowhere, urging us to do something decisive or to pray for someone who we sensed was in danger. Our responses to these feelings can produce wonderful results. I once suddenly felt the need to give a sum money to a person. I really felt this was God-driven. This gesture led to a spiritual impact on a whole family. Was this by angelic influence? I think so.
WHAT’S THE BIG PICTURE?
The big picture “take away” about guardian angels is that they are a gift of divine providence. Divine providence is God’s plan for and oversight of all events in the universe. So, the fact that God would specifically assign an angel, as a gift to you, in order to do everything He can to draw you to Himself shouts, “I love you.” He loves us, He assigns angels to care for us; yet, He respects our free choices. Wow! I hope you are blessed by these insights.
TheologyGuy 