I wonder if angels and demons have imaginations.
Does He allow them to participate in the ongoing creation process in a way that requires imagination, as He allows us? Or are imaginations like bodies; restricted to those of us formed in His image?
Angelic beings are rational, and I wonder if imagination is required for independent reasoning. Can reason exist without the capability for envisioning outcomes?
Aquinas and Descartes didn't think so, but I'm not sure why.
I need to think about this more...
Showing posts with label Demons. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Demons. Show all posts
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Not only water
I've been thinking about Peter, walking across the water to Jesus who called to him during a terrible storm.
The waves and lightening and wind must have been terrifying, even while sitting in the relative safety of the boat. Imagine the courage it would take to step out.
Amazing.
Most people would call it insane.
In addition to the terror of heaving his frame over the edge and taking step after step forward, I wonder what he could see under the surface. I picture the sea teeming with leviathans of all shapes and sizes, trying to stop his act of faith, just as the first one did in the garden. I picture all forms of ugliness threatening him, trying to catch his gaze, to make him take his eyes off Christ, and sink.
But as He always does, Jesus called. And saved. Again.
The waves and lightening and wind must have been terrifying, even while sitting in the relative safety of the boat. Imagine the courage it would take to step out.
Amazing.
Most people would call it insane.
In addition to the terror of heaving his frame over the edge and taking step after step forward, I wonder what he could see under the surface. I picture the sea teeming with leviathans of all shapes and sizes, trying to stop his act of faith, just as the first one did in the garden. I picture all forms of ugliness threatening him, trying to catch his gaze, to make him take his eyes off Christ, and sink.
But as He always does, Jesus called. And saved. Again.
Friday, April 9, 2010
You have given us rule over the works of your hands
Quick follow up on the April 3, 2010 post, discussing our judgement of angels:
When I see your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and stars that you set in place--What are humans that you are mindful of them, mere mortals that you care for them? Yet you have made them little less than a god, crowned them with glory and honor. You have given them rule over the works of your hands, put all things at their feet...
Psalm 8:4-7
When I see your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and stars that you set in place--What are humans that you are mindful of them, mere mortals that you care for them? Yet you have made them little less than a god, crowned them with glory and honor. You have given them rule over the works of your hands, put all things at their feet...
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Judges of angels
During one of this week's services, I had some thoughts about evil spirits which I am going to tell you, despite knowing that some readers will print copies as proof of delusion.
Luckily, I believe the beatitudes, so damn the torpedos.
Darkness has been very apparent to me in recent weeks. I used to think it was just a product of nature and nurture, but over time, the personal particularity of evil has become more apparent. As a result, spiritual warfare has become an increasingly significant part of my prayer life.
While praying recently, I thought about 1 Cor 6:3, which says that we will be the judges of angels.
Think about what this means. Not only are we given the authority to cast out through the power of Christ. We are also to be judges.
Judges determine the outcome of the accused.
My understanding is that unlike humans, angelic beings are no longer being created. (Can't remember the biblical foundation for this, will have to dig it up.) Their numbers are therefore limited.
Imagine what would happen if all Christians began not only to pray against the evil working against their friends and family, but also to consign forces of evil to perpetual incarceration.
Would this help bring the kingdom to earth as it is in heaven?
Over time there would be fewer and fewer to wreck havoc in the world, and more and more people would be able to recognize the beauty and truth and light of God. Eventually there would be nothing left but beauty and life.
Like many of my thoughts, this is just a theory. But I like it, and am going to give it a try.
Luckily, I believe the beatitudes, so damn the torpedos.
Darkness has been very apparent to me in recent weeks. I used to think it was just a product of nature and nurture, but over time, the personal particularity of evil has become more apparent. As a result, spiritual warfare has become an increasingly significant part of my prayer life.
While praying recently, I thought about 1 Cor 6:3, which says that we will be the judges of angels.
Think about what this means. Not only are we given the authority to cast out through the power of Christ. We are also to be judges.
Judges determine the outcome of the accused.
My understanding is that unlike humans, angelic beings are no longer being created. (Can't remember the biblical foundation for this, will have to dig it up.) Their numbers are therefore limited.
Imagine what would happen if all Christians began not only to pray against the evil working against their friends and family, but also to consign forces of evil to perpetual incarceration.
Would this help bring the kingdom to earth as it is in heaven?
Over time there would be fewer and fewer to wreck havoc in the world, and more and more people would be able to recognize the beauty and truth and light of God. Eventually there would be nothing left but beauty and life.
Like many of my thoughts, this is just a theory. But I like it, and am going to give it a try.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Tales more beautiful and amazing
"It involves us in all kinds of difficulties in which human ingenuity, unable to discover or imagine a way out, realizes its own feebleness and finds itself at a loss and confounded. It is then that God's purpose is manifest in all its radiance, rescuing souls more miraculously than any writer of fantastic tales, who, straining every effort of his imagination in the seclusion of his study, unravels the intrigues and perils of his imaginary heroes and always brings their adventures to a happy conclusion. It leads souls far more ingeniously past mortal perils, past monster, hell-fire, demons and their snares and carries them up to heaven. All are the subject of mystical tales far more beautiful and amazing than any invented by the crude imagination of mortal man."
page 24 of "The Sacrament of the Present Moment" by Jean Pierre de Caussade
page 24 of "The Sacrament of the Present Moment" by Jean Pierre de Caussade
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