Forum about Debates - Philosophy - Optional filter -

Text search :

12616 - from Alice , 18 y.o. (Belgium) - 2012-02-17 Philosophy : "angels" Hey, people of the world and beyond, Next year I'm going to college. I've decided to study languages, become a translator, an interpreter,... But before I'm going to be overwhelmed with essays and papers, words I never heard of before and boring teachers that talk faster than I can write.... I want to delve a little deeper in a passion I recently discovered I have: the mysteries of the world and, more precicely, the mysteries of angelology. I feel a great interest toward angels and the story of our creation. I want to know more about the old stories, the work people are even now putting into discovering more about our existence and our fight against the evil creatures that may or may not be. Threfore, I ask your help. If you're a 60-year-old professor that knows everything there is to know about the subject or any subject linked to it; if your a 15-year-old with the same passions I have; If your a wise priest who wants to spread the word of God; Hell, you may even be one of the 'evil' creatures yourself... Please, help me explore this world a little deeper! Share your knowledge with me! Who knows, I might even change my opinion about the universe!

12616 -

12740 - Reply from angels (ger) - 2012-05-01 Hello again! Don't worry about your english dear friend! It's perfect! :) Well, to tell you the truth, I don't have the proper knowledge about Samael. I haven't heard about him. I am not a priest or a monk, but a simple believer that is overwhelmed from the "treasure" of the Orthodox theology and tradition, so I try to do my best to learn about it and share my faith! If you have any other questions, you can ask me and I'll try to do my best to answer, if you want! :) God bless you!

12616 -

12737 - Reply from Alice , 18 y.o. (Belgium) - 2012-05-01 Oops, forgot to ask you something. Could you tell me exactely where you stand with you viewpoint? I mean, are you a priest, a teacher who gives religion, a prof or someone interested in the subject? I'm trying to compare opinions of religious people, how they differ from others and how their own lives influences this. You don't have to answer the question, if you don't want to. P.S.: I'm sorry if my writing style laks some quality, but English isn't my mother tongue, so it's a little difficult.

12616 -

12736 - Reply from Alice , 18 y.o. (Belgium) - 2012-05-01 I'm sorry, perhaps I said it wrong, 'cause I don't really mean that Orthodox Christians are extremely religious, more that they, unlike others, stick to what they believe. I've met a lot of 'believers', but I have to admit that not many of them actually believe. Most of them have been taught to 'be aware of God', and practically they only go to church so people can see them go to church. Those who - in my opinion - really do believe, are mostly Orthodox Christians. The other girl from my class who believes, for example, is one. Also, thank you to clarify the subject of the archangels for me. I think my own sources aren't correct, because I've always believed there were only three archangels and I sure have never heard of the last three. Unfortunatelly, they don't teach us this in school. Because you seem to know quite a lot about the subject; are you familiar with Samael, the angel of death? I've always thought he is an archangel, or was, until the fall from heaven. Last of all, I know you aren't trying to 'convert' me to the good side, don't worry. Besides, I'm already a believer. I know what the bible says is the truth, even if the school says otherwise (which causes some nice arguments during religion class ;) ).

12616 -

12733 - Reply from about angels (ger) - 2012-04-29 (CONTINUE) -- The name of Archangel Uriel means the light or the fire of God. This archangel enlightens the minds and the hearts of the faithful with the light of divine truths and the fire of divine love. All those who embark upon the study of knowledge can and should pray to this archangel to enlighten their minds and hearts, in order to avoid a destructive chasm between knowledge and faith. -- Archangel Salaphiel is the patron of prayer. He is even depicted so on icons: with eyes gazing downward, with hands crossed on his chest, with an air of humility and deep inner concentration. He is our primary teacher of prayer. Prayer is the most difficult thing to achieve, and one must be instructed in it. Unfortunately, some people assiduously study various worldly subjects, but disdain the study of the most important subject in the world - the Jesus prayer. Let us pray to Archangel Salaphiel for the Lord to grant us this gift of divine prayer. -- Archangel Jegudiel is the patron, defender and helper of all those who toil. And we must all be such, for we have been commanded to eat our bread in the sweat of our faces. We toil not only physically, to earn our daily bread, but also spiritually, in order to perfect ourselves. Archangel Jegudiel is depicted on icons with a crown of victory in his hands. Such crowns will be earned by those of us who will endure to the very end, who will worthily bear the light yoke of Christ. We are faced with a complex task, so let us ask Archangel Jegudiel for help in our daily lives. -- Archangel Barachiel is the angel of GodĒs blessings. While asking God to bless all our good efforts, let us also appeal to Archangel Barachiel for help. However, we must accept the LordĒs blessing not only for prosperity but also for our cross, i.e. the sorrows without which there is no salvation. And may Archangel Barachiel give us strength to carry our blessed crosses. I understand what you say. You know, in Christianity there are many "branches" with different theologies. Every branch makes it's own interpretations on the Bible, that is not true. Only the Orthodox Churches theology is solid, because it's based on the Bible and the Fathers of the Church, that they are our compass. I believe everything that there is on the Bible, because it is from God. I also consult the Patristic books if I don't understand something. It's difficult to "convince" you that all these that I say are correct. Also, dear Alice, it's not true that Orthodox Christians are "extremely religious". The Orthodox Church is the Ancient Church founded by Jesus Christ Himself. We seem to be old-fashioned, but we stick to the traditions of our Church, that they hasn't change the past 2000 years!!! Traditions and theology are the same until today! Everything in this world changes every day, people change, ideas change, bad things are happening every day but the Orthodox Church is the same: it will exists until the end of the world. It's not my purpose to convince you, I just wanted to share things with you. If you pray in a humble way, with all your heart, the Lord will guide you. God bless you my dear friend!

12616 -

12732 - Reply from about angels (ger) - 2012-04-29 I had written it below, but I post it again: "The devil, who is also called "Satan" or "the enemy," was created as a mighty and beautiful archangel, one of the most perfect and radiant, and for this reason he was given the name Lucifer, "the light-bearer". But when he chose not to do the will of God, he fell, lost his exalted qualities, and left his dwelling in heaven. St. Jude says: "And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, He hath reserved in everlasting chains, under darkness, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire" (Jude v. 6). Lucifer had been richly endowed by the Creator and should have ever held his eyes on the Lord, "as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress." But instead he concentrated his attention on his own perfection, fell in love with it and was seized with pride. By doing this he left the path of truth, which united him with the Source of Life and Light, and entered the path of destruction. He forgot that he owed all to God, that all his perfections were the gift of God. He ascribed them to himself, and so seemed exceedingly great to himself. He was so blinded by the idea of his own greatness and considered, "is there any who is equal to me? Any angel ... or God, even God Himself. I myself am divine, I myself am a divinity!" Satan rose against his Lord and took with him a large number of spirits who accepted his authority. The Archangel Michael took command of the angels who remained faithful to God, forming an army of angels, and entered into conflict with the fallen spirits. Long before the creation of the material world took place this war which was waged between the angels of light and the spirits of darkness. But light conquered darkness, and the rebels were hurled into the abyss." God loves the fallen angels and He is ready to forgive them! But they don't repent. Read the following true story-miracle: "Once an Orthodox monk felt much pain and, while he was kneeling at prayer, he said the following: "You are God and, if You want, You can find a way to save these miserable demons who first enjoyed such great glory, but now are full of all the evilness and cunning of the world. Without Your protection, they would have devoured all human beings." While he was saying these words, praying in pain, he saw a dog's head next to him sticking out his tongue and mocking him. It seems that God allowed for this to happen in order to inform the monk that He is ready to accept the demons provided they repent, but they themselves do not want their salvation." The Archangels are the following: Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Salaphiel, Jegudiel, Barachiel. -- Archangel Michael, after the fall of the angels, became the head of the entire heavenly host. For his zeal in working for God he is honored by the Orthodox Church even to this day. -- Archangel Gabriel has been entrusted with the service of being messenger to mankind. He came with the LordĒs tidings of forthcoming miraculous events to the parents of St. John the Baptist, to the parents of the Holy Virgin Mary, and also to the Mother of God Herself and to the righteous Joseph. Archangel Gabriel is the messenger of GodĒs Providence, the attendant of miracles and divine Mysteries. When we are overcome with doubts, when it seems to us that we have been abandoned by everyone and there is no help from anywhere, let us pray to Archangel Gabriel, that by his prayers the Lord would reveal to us His most holy will and would set our life upon the course of salvation. -- Archangel Raphael is a merciful healer, sent by God to comfort the sick and the sorrowing. From the Holy Scripture we know that Archangel Raphael expelled demons from a woman. And how many people there are nowadays who are possessed by demons…. Alas, both they and their relatives often turn for help to sorcerers who nowadays hide behind the pseudo-scientific name of “extrasensorics.” But will sorcerers, these servants of the devil, expel demons? Obviously not. The power to expel demons and heal those who are possessed by them belongs to the holy angels and particularly to Archangel Raphael. Let us ask him to intercede for us before the Lord, Giver of all good things.

12616 -

12730 - Reply from Alice , 18 y.o. (Belgium) - 2012-04-28 Why did Lucifer rebel against God? I've always believed that the angels themselves were supposed to be 'good' beings by nature, because that's how God created them. If Lucifer decided there was something God did or said that he didn't agree with, why should that make him evil? I 'rebel' against my parents so many times, but that doesn't make me evil (I hope ;D). And if he WAS evil, why did other angels follow him? Furthermore, I've heard that some of the fallen angels felt remorse over their actions and begged to return to heaven. But instead of forgiving them, God banished them to a place deep in the earth, where they will have to stay for all times. I'm sorry for saying this, but if God doens't forgive his own children, how am I supposed to believe in him? A father just doens't give up on his children. Can you tell me more about the archangels? How many are there, what are their names and their functions and what makes them different from the others? I would also like to know more about YOUR opinion on the subject. I know Orthodox Christians are extremely religious, but do you believe everything that the bible tells? In my school, they teach us that everything the bible says should be understood symbolically, not litterally. They say that Jesus and the Angels aren't really persons, not even 'spiritual beings', but only reprsenet all the evil in the world. They say that Jesus didn't really turn water into wine or walked over the water. I don't want to offend anyone, but really... I'm going to a christian school for a reason and right now there are only two people in my class who TRULY believe, me and someone else. Do you think it is right how they teach us about religion or....?

12616 -

12717 - Reply from about angels (ger) - 2012-04-24 I am an Orthodox Christian. I'll tell you what I know about angels in general. Angels are bodiless beings, purely spirits, created by God before man. They are superior in nature and intelligence to man; and, like man, they have understanding and free will. Some of them are appointed to guard the faithful (guardian angels). Angels are grouped in nine orders (tagmata) as follows: Angels; Archangels; Principalities; Powers; Virtues; Dominations; Thrones; Cherubim; Seraphim. In the Orthodox worship, every Monday is dedicated to the angels. St. John the Damascene further states concerning angels: "They are in perpetual motion, with free will, having obtained by grace an immortal nature". "They are", he continues, "rational and intelligent, and endowed with free will, immortal not by nature but by grace... They are not hemmed in by walls and doors, bars and seals. When they are in heaven they are not on earth, and when they are sent by God down to earth they do not remain in heaven". In addition to the created spiritual powers who do the will of God, there are, according to the Orthodox Christian faith, those who rebel against Him and do evil. These are the demons or devils (which means literally those who “pull apart” and destroy) who are also known both in the Old and New Testaments as well as in the lives of the saints of the Church. Having become malevolent, the fallen angels try to push men to the path of sin and thus to their damnation. Oddly, the fallen angels themselves fear the kingdom they have created — hell or the abyss. Indeed, when the Savior, healing a person possessed by demons, wanted to send them back to their abyss, they begged Him to allow them instead to enter swine (Luke 8:31). The Savior calls the devil "murderer from the beginning and the father of lies," having in mind that moment in which, taking the form of a snake, he deceived our forbears Adam and Eve to break the commandment of God and by doing so deprived them of everlasting life (Genesis 3:1-6; John 8:44).From that moment on, having the opportunity to influence the thoughts, feelings and acts of man, the devil and his demons endeavor to pitch him deeper and deeper into the mire of sin, into which they themselves have sunk: "He who sins is from the devil, because the devil himself sinned first … Anyone who commits sin is a slave of sin" (1 John 3:8; John 8:34). The presence of evil spirits among us presents a constant danger. That is why the Apostle Peter extols us: "Be sober and watchful, for your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, goes about seeking someone to devour" (1 Peter 5:8). The Apostle Paul expresses the same thoughts on discretion, saying, "Put on the armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities and the powers, against the world rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness on high" (Ephesians 6:11-12). ---- Now, on the guardian angel: Bishop Theophan the Recluse instructs in one of his letters, "We must remember that we have a Guardian Angel and turn to him in our thoughts and heart. This is good during peaceful times and especially so during turmoil. When such contact with the angel is missing, he has no means of influencing us. For example, if one approaches quicksand or an abyss, and has plugged his ears and closed his eyes, how can anyone help him?" Thus should a Christian remember his good angel, who for the span of all his life concerns himself with him, rejoicing in his spiritual achievements, and grieves over his downfalls. When a person dies, the angel takes his soul to God. Having found itself in the spirit world, according to many accounts, the soul recognizes its Guardian Angel. The following is a short morning prayer to the Guardian Angel: Angel of God, my holy protector, given to me from heaven by God for my protection, I fervently beseech you: enlighten me and preserve me from all evil, instruct me in good deeds and direct me on the path of salvation. Amen. The Orthodox Christian spirituality is full of miracles. Just do a small search about it, and you will remember my words. If you want to find out more, you can e-mail me at anytime!

12616 -

12713 - Reply from Alice , 18 y.o. (Belgium) - 2012-04-19 What do you know about the fall from heaven and what happenend with the fallen angels and lucifer after that? I've read a few stories about it, but every single one tells something different and I don't know what to believe anymore.

12616 -

12679 - Reply from kellie (usa) - 2012-04-10 sorry I misspelled answer

12616 -

12677 - Reply from kellie , 15 y.o. (usa) - 2012-04-10 Hi I guess I better start with saying that I'm a Christian and that I believe in God, Heaven, Hell, and Satan. What would you like to know about it? I'm not sure I can aswer every question you have but I can aswer some. My e-mail is scobee.kellie@yahoo.com I hope I can help you. By the way I'm not going to judge you or anything. I respect what others believe.

---

Forum about Debates - Philosophy - (c) Etudiants du Monde / Students of the World
if any remark / question, please contact the WEBMASTER
www.StudentsOfTheWorld.info