Angels: Twelve Questions We Rarely Ask

Study Covenant and Doctrine 30 September 2026

Introduction

A few days ago I received an unsolicited message on WhatsApp. It invited me to an “Angel Connection Live Webinar,” promising “a live angelic guidance session,” “a power meditation to connect with angels” and “the most powerful angel number.” Many of you will have received something similar.

It set me thinking. Yesterday, 29 September, the Church kept Michaelmas, the Feast of St Michael and All Angels. Yet how often do we hear angels spoken of in church? Popular spirituality talks about them freely, without Christ and without Scripture. The Church says very little.

If we are honest, most of us have never given the subject a second thought. What we believe about angels we gathered as children from sermons, hymns, paintings and Christmas cards. Some of it is Scripture. Some of it is not.

Over the coming weeks, I would like to take up twelve questions that most of us have never thought through, among them:

Were angels created, or have they always existed?
How could a being in the very presence of God rebel?
Where did evil come from?
Do our loved ones become angels when they die?
What will our resurrection bodies be like?
May we seek guidance from angels?

I shall stay within Scripture throughout. Where the Church’s tradition has gone beyond the text, I shall say so. Where Scripture is silent, I shall leave it silent.

A new question will appear every Monday and Thursday, from Monday 5 October until 12 November. Do share this with anyone who has received an invitation like mine.

On Monday, Question 1: What does the word “angel” actually mean, and why does it matter?

— Peter

The Schedule

Here is the plan for the series. A new question will appear every Monday and Thursday. You may like to keep this message for reference.

Monday 5 October: 1. What does the word “angel” actually mean?
Thursday 8 October: 2. Were angels created, or have they always existed?
Monday 12 October: 3. What are angels like, and do they have wings?
Thursday 15 October: 4. What does Scripture actually say about the fall of angels?
Monday 19 October: 5. Who was “Lucifer”? What tradition and poetry have added
Thursday 22 October: 6. How could a being in the presence of God rebel?
Monday 26 October: 7. Where did evil come from?
Thursday 29 October: 8. Do our loved ones become angels when they die?
Monday 2 November: 9. What will our resurrection bodies be like?
Thursday 5 November: 10. Does God send human messengers?
Monday 9 November: 11. May we seek guidance from angels?
Thursday 12 November: 12. How do we live with what God has not revealed?

Question 8 comes just before All Saints’ Day, and Question 9 falls on All Souls’ Day.

Do share this with anyone who might like to think these questions through with us.

— Peter