Talk of animal guides is common enough in Pagan traditions, especially Shamanism, but not so much within Christianity or Judaism. Nevertheless, the story of Balaam and his donkey, found within the Old Testament book of Numbers, provides a striking example of the will of the Creator being communicated to humanity through a creature. Perhaps there’s something weContinue reading “Balaam and his animal guide”
Tag Archives: angels
How many orders of angels were there?
I know some may consider this heretical but I have to wonder if the burning ones (seraphim), mighty ones (cherubim) and the living creatures (hayyot) referred to in the visionary experiences of the prophets are synonymous, not different ranks of angels (malakim) at all. Take for example Ezekial 10:15 where the living creatures and cherubimContinue reading “How many orders of angels were there?”
Entertaining angels
Politicians tell us to look out for devils among strangers. Prophets tell us to look out for angels: “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.” (Hebrews 13:2)
Antiphon for the Angels by Hildegard of Bingen
Antiphon for the Angels Spirited light! on the edge of the Presence your yearning burns in the secret darkness, O angels, insatiably into God’s gaze. Perversity could not touch your beauty; you are essential joy. But your lost companion, angel of the crooked wings – he sought the summit, shot down the depths of GodContinue reading “Antiphon for the Angels by Hildegard of Bingen”
The Art of Indifference
This image, by yiuokami, is called “In Difference”. The artist explains the symbolism as follows: The radiant angel Inspired by a text in the bible that says the devil will present himself as an angel of light. It can be interpreted as the manifestation of all that is wrong with the human subconscious, with false guidance thatContinue reading “The Art of Indifference”
St Michael the archangel as a samurai
Well here is an curious mix of traditions. I am not sure who the artist is but I believe the work is entitled “St Michael the archangel as a samurai.” Now, I would have thought if you were going to invoke samurai motifs a more asian looking dragon would not have gone astray. Except thatContinue reading “St Michael the archangel as a samurai”
Mikhail Epstein on Post-Atheism
Some interesting remarks by Mikhail Epstein on Post-Atheism in Eastern Europe: “What we are facing is an extreme form of apophaticism, in which God appears as the radically Other, the Stranger, irrevocably distant from humans.” “Contemporary culture is religious in the sense that it is looking for nothing other than Otherness itself.” “The angel represents theContinue reading “Mikhail Epstein on Post-Atheism”
Angelic in Black
Angelic Art from an Atheist
One of the guys at the Pagan and Christian Moot, whom I know as Ninecoils, has posted a link to his art gallery, art.swiftshanks.com. I love his use of colour and was particularly drawn to this picture entitled “Mother of Angels”. Believe it or not but he considers himself an Atheist.
Dan Brown’s Angels and Demons
In the news yesterday: “The Italian Catholic church has refused to let a new movie based on a Dan Brown novel be filmed in churches in Rome after the author’s The Da Vinci Code novel and film outraged the Vatican.” Now the question of course is should the Vatican feel obliged to open its doorsContinue reading “Dan Brown’s Angels and Demons”
Curious Christian 