Many people have been taught so little about biblical Truth that they believe many errors. For example, many people (and no offense intended if you are among them) mistakenly believe that when people die, they become angels.
That connection is so blatantly contrary to the fact that angels who “see the face [of God] who is in heaven” are completely different creations than the Sons of Adam and Daughters of Eve who are actually human beings, created in the image of God.
In his preface to The Screwtape Letters, C.S. Lewis alludes to how this confusion is reinforced by humanity’s lack of familiarity with angels in their true or natural (for them) form. While there are clear examples in the Bible where God has his angels appear in the likeness of human beings (e,g. before Sodom’s judgment and at the empty tomb), there are also times when their celestial radiance is not disguised (i.e. when the shepherds are informed about birth of the Savior or in John’s visions as recorded in the Book of Revelation).
[Angels] are given human form because man is the only rational creature we know. Creatures higher in the natural order than ourselves, either incorporeal or animating bodies of a sort we cannot experience, must be represented symbolically if they are to be represented at all (Screwtape Letters).
Nevertheless, this myth permeates the thinking of our secular culture. Once, some years past, a pastor friend was relating to me that one of his distant relatives had recently died. He said it comforted him to know that she was now an angel. I started to chuckle in response to his humorous way of lightening his own mood, until I realized he wasn’t joking. This poor, genuinely compassionate minister had been tricked by the spirit of this world into buying into a lie.
C.S. Lewis famously said that anything worth reading once is worth reading again. I’m clearing out some magazines from several years ago, and rereading insightful articles as I go. In a short piece about a complex subject, “What Happens to the Dead?” Ryan Pemberton makes a troubling comment.
Pop culture has done more to shape modern views about death than biblical teaching has.
The brevity of the article prevents the author from exploring other subjects, but his observation is applicable to a wide array of concerns.
I’m confident I could state, without fear of contradiction, that contemporary culture has done more to shape modern views about marriage than biblical teaching has. And, adding only a few additional examples, more about . . . justice . . . demons . . . love . . . mental health . . . responsibility . . . heaven . . . labor . . . creation . . . and Jesus himself.
It’s Not All Bad
It should be admitted that not all contemporary insights have been 100% misguided. One area where modern sensibilities have restored balance to truthful thinking is in the area of care for the environment. Ignoring extreme notions about nature being more important than human life, we can applaud the work of Christian environmentalists who have helped restore a biblical (i.e. true) view of the world around us.
Reacting to twisted notions that humanity’s “dominion” over the earth allows for nature’s misuse and abuse, these men and women helped open our eyes to the fact that God calls us to be trustworthy stewards in our care of, and appreciation for, this amazing world he has made.
The Inklings, C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien, in particular, possessed a profound love for nature. Their general antipathy to the ugly and polluting trappings of industrialization are grounded in their belief that the world God created was truly “good.” With that came the recognition that man does little to enhance, and much to undermine, that initial goodness.
When two ideas clash, go with the one that is correct. And, when one of those authorities is the Word of the Creator of all that exists, well, isn’t it obvious which is the right choice?
Angels & People
For more on the angelic subject with which we began, check out the provocatively titled “People Aren’t Downgraded to Angels When They Die.” As the author there so rightly explains,
When Christians die, heaven does not “get another angel.” We cannot become angels any more than we can become giraffes or ocean waves or stars. We are people and will remain so after this present life. God did not make a mistake when he made us human.
Mere Inkling Press 
So interesting!!!
It’s such a common misunderstanding, in no small part due to the media promoting it. Just think “It’s a Wonderful Life…” Tis the season.
Thank you so much for your kind reply 🙏
But then Clarence won’t get his wings! ;>)
Alas, poor Clarence must be satisfied with the humble resurrection body (like Christ’s!) for which redeemed humanity is destined. (I hope he’s not too disappointed.)
It’s amazing how you hear that statement, “He/she is an angel now” (or something like that) at almost every funeral. Along with some of the other categories you listed where modern culture shapes Christians’ thought too much, it’s a sad statement about how little is known about the Bible by the people who claim they’re living by it.
It really is sad. A couple of our grandkids attend a K-12 Christian school. Our third grader complained that only one of the songs his class was doing at a program this week was really about Christmas. He was right. Though he doesn’t know to refer to it as Xmas, that was the subject of most of the music.
I don’t mind wholesome “seasonal” music… but let’s please leave Santa out of the picture. Welcome to Saint Nicholas, of course, but not the commercial caricature they’ve derived from him.
A gentle reprimanded to those who should be better acquainted w/ Scripture than popular culture. :)
Actually, Anna, I feel it is more a rebuke than a reprimand… but truthfully directed at pastors and teachers who should be doing a far better job of catechesis. Those faux “leaders” who should heed the warning of James 3:1.
I often wondered where people got the idea of becoming angels after death and then I read the comments and references to Its a Wonderful Life. That cracked me up. Great article.
I think it’s a well-meaning effort to comfort people. Simply saying they are in heaven (a glorious truth for believers) is replaced by identifying them with those we know to be regular “residents” of being in God’s heavenly presence.
Angels are so amazing and unique in their own right, that I am eager to make their acquaintance in the new creation. Especially any who had to observe and interact during any points in my life — for which I anticipate desiring to express gratitude (and make apologies).
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I’m not sure I buy into CS Lewis or J.K. Tolkien being experts on angels. If they are, I suppose they are equally experts on elves, lions, and Santa Claus. The word itself comes from the Greek word that translate to messenger. I, personally think an angel is any creature that can bring a message of hope, comfort, charity, and love from the divine to us mortals. In this interpretation, we all CAN be angels, and we don’t even have to die to become one.
Thanks for your tongue in cheek comment, Chuckster. I actually think most readers would actually regard C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien as experts on elves and related matters. Santa Claus… well, their understanding of Saint Nicolas (of Myra) was distorted by that British adulteration known as Father Christmas.
However, when it comes to angels, both men displayed wisdom by simply acknowledging the apostolic and biblical witness to these beings.
Now, as for your definition of the Greek word for “angels,” you’re correct in noting that angelos literally means “messenger.” So, in that sense, human beings may be described with the word. However, like countless other words, this word possesses more than a single definition.
Obviously, my article was talking about the supernatural beings which the Scriptures clearly identify as unique beings. I do appreciate your distinction, though. And yes, I would agree that those who communicate a compassionate Gospel word to others, are engaging in an angelic act.
The Bible also describes Leviathans, a Behemoth, Giants, a man made vessel capable of floating two of every species, a Dragon ( Jeremiah 51:34 ), and a dude who lived inside a whale. So, for CS Lewis to use the Bible as scientific evidence of the nature of celestial beings is a reach. It’s similar to Melville arguing that whales are not mammals.
There are lots of sites devoted to biblical apologetics and exegesis, as I’m sure you know. Mere Inkling isn’t one of them.
That said, angels are one of the clear subjects on which there has been consensus within orthodox Christianity for millennia.
And, what’s more, those with experience in what the church sometimes refers to as “deliverance ministry,” attest to the biblical testimony to the existence of fallen angels… for whom a terrible fate awaits (Matthew 25:41).
Yes, they too remain angels, but beings the wise would avoid.
An attempt to refute the Xtian bible abomination…
Sorry, but Mere Inkling doesn’t allow for reposting of material from other websites. We do, however, welcome all comments — including contrary opinions. We simply ask they be rational, courteous, and related to some specific element(s) of the post to which they are a “response.” Thank you.
This was a very interesting and insightful read. Thank you for the information.
Glad you enjoyed it… and blessings in your impending new blog on scientific matters.
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