Questions/puzzlings about Angels
Different Status/Tests of Different Ranks?
I was reading this morning that apparently at one time, St.Augustine entertained the idea that there were two basic classes amongst the Angels - those who were "created in glory" and who never fell, and those of lesser orders for whom it was possible to fall. Of them, some did, and some did not. He eventually dropped this position. I'd be curious to hear from anyone who knows more than I do about this topic, because depending upon what is within legitimate Orthodox opinion, the following may or may not be easier to explain...
"The Sons of God" of Genesis Chapter 6
I'm curious about what is "kosher" within the realm of Orthodoxy on this subject, since there are Fathers who put different spins on this. For example, a number of the early Fathers held the opinion that at least some of the fallen angels fell during the period just before the Great Deluge, being guilty of fornication with women (this is based upon a literal interpretation of Genesis chapter 6.) Personally, I find it difficult to not see the story told in Genesis 6 as being anything but a case of heavenly beings coming down to earth and doing unclean things with mortal women, and begetting monstrous children as a result. This was also fairly common belief in pre-Rabbinic Judaism (as the inter-testament writings make fairly apparent).
It would also seem to imply (if true) the possibility that there are angels who could still fall. This seems strange, but it may possibly explain St.Paul's words in 1st Corinthians chapter 11. While he is discussing the issue of women covering their heads while praying, he says...
"That is why a woman ought to have a veil on her head, because of the angels." (1st Corinthians 11:10)
If this isn't the sense of this verse, then I'm at a loss how to explain it. Again, I'm soliciting the opinions of others on this one.
I was reading this morning that apparently at one time, St.Augustine entertained the idea that there were two basic classes amongst the Angels - those who were "created in glory" and who never fell, and those of lesser orders for whom it was possible to fall. Of them, some did, and some did not. He eventually dropped this position. I'd be curious to hear from anyone who knows more than I do about this topic, because depending upon what is within legitimate Orthodox opinion, the following may or may not be easier to explain...
"The Sons of God" of Genesis Chapter 6
I'm curious about what is "kosher" within the realm of Orthodoxy on this subject, since there are Fathers who put different spins on this. For example, a number of the early Fathers held the opinion that at least some of the fallen angels fell during the period just before the Great Deluge, being guilty of fornication with women (this is based upon a literal interpretation of Genesis chapter 6.) Personally, I find it difficult to not see the story told in Genesis 6 as being anything but a case of heavenly beings coming down to earth and doing unclean things with mortal women, and begetting monstrous children as a result. This was also fairly common belief in pre-Rabbinic Judaism (as the inter-testament writings make fairly apparent).
It would also seem to imply (if true) the possibility that there are angels who could still fall. This seems strange, but it may possibly explain St.Paul's words in 1st Corinthians chapter 11. While he is discussing the issue of women covering their heads while praying, he says...
"That is why a woman ought to have a veil on her head, because of the angels." (1st Corinthians 11:10)
If this isn't the sense of this verse, then I'm at a loss how to explain it. Again, I'm soliciting the opinions of others on this one.
posted by The Rambler at 7:55 AM
3 Comments:
Christos Anesti! Christos Voskrese! Christ is Risen!
Dear Augustine, I have a thread somewhere at http://www.euphrosynoscafe.com/forum/index.php but since the serch feature is not cuttenly working eight I cannot find it. I thin the thrad showed many orthodox fathers' writings on the topic. In fact, back when you were Seraphim, you may have even participated in it. So if you have time to search ...
"at least some of the fallen angels fell during the period just before the Great Deluge, being guilty of fornication with women ... and begetting monstrous children as a result"
You may find it interseting to know that the Scifi channel aired a movie with the above as its subject. It has horrible graphics and I lost some brain cells for an hour and a half.
The idea of angels coming down etc. could quite easily be passed down from mythology (the gods gettin' it on with human women and sometimes ostracized for it).
In the Orthodox Study Bible the translation reads,10 "For this reason the woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels." I think there could also be an interperetation into man and woman being higher than the angels. Hence the "authority" given to woman, as we already know man as a little higher than them.
Post a Comment
<< Home