For two thousand years, angels have stood at the centre of Christian imagination.
They appear in scripture carrying messages that change history. They stand before the throne of God in endless worship. They guide, warn, protect, judge, and reveal. Yet the angels of Christian tradition are far stranger, more complex, and more awe inspiring than the gentle figures of popular culture.
In this sweeping exploration of Christian angelology, Niall L. Conlan traces the story of angels from the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament through the Church Fathers, medieval theologians, mystics, artists, reformers, and modern believers. Along the way, readers encounter the great archangels, the heavenly hierarchy, guardian angels, the celestial host, the fallen angels, and the enduring mysteries that have fascinated Christians for centuries.
Drawing upon scripture, theology, church history, sacred art, and religious tradition, this book explores how generations of Christians understood the invisible beings who stand between heaven and earth.
Inside you'll discover:
• The origins of angels in the Hebrew Scriptures
• Gabriel, Michael, Raphael, and the great archangels
• Cherubim, seraphim, thrones, dominions, and the nine orders
• Guardian angels and their place in Christian belief
• Angels in the lives of saints, mystics, and visionaries
• The rebellion of Lucifer and the fall of the angels
• Angelic appearances in Christian history
• The role of angels in worship, prayer, and theology
• How art, literature, and popular culture transformed the angelic image
• Why angels remain among the most widely believed spiritual beings in the modern world
Rich in history, theology, and tradition, Angels in Christian Tradition offers a compelling journey into one of Christianity's most enduring and fascinating subjects.