Christian theology asserts that they do have free will and that they were tested. A number (tradition holds a third) rejected God and became the demonic.
Christian theology also holds that there is a Trinity. Even Paul, with all the manipulations he made with Christian theology didn't have the temerity to suggest that. What troubled influence he had with the Jews would have evaporated.
But again, monotheism isn't a denial of the possibility of other created supernatural agents that are not God.
Yeah, angels appeared as early as Genesis. The Hebrew term means messenger of God which could be either human or supernatural, which is a pretty good example of how myths take on a life of their own.
OK , I give you whacky subjective answer Saturdays he likes to party doesn't like to leave the kids home alone
???
And you are STILL reduced to pulling an answer out your backside....
Yeah, Casandra and I are blood siblings.
I never thought any deity was all powerful. I believe they interacted with humans and SEEMED all powerful but weren't really omnipotent. An omnipotent all knowing being would not require or want worshipers when he himself could accomplish anything with a mere thought.
Well, It wouldn't want extensions of Itself worshiping Itself, we're back to the finger puppet analogy. That's why we have this universe so souls can be tested on a rational stage. But if God had the wherewithal to create the universe, I think omnipotent would suffice.
I wrote this little divine comedy once that I think puts this whole subject in perspective:
***BIG BANG!***
<<><>><<><>>
<<><><><>><<><><><>>
<<><>The Universe Begins<><>>
God (Voice of James Earl Jones)
: Gabriel, isn't this a beautiful universe I created?
Gabriel (Voice of Sylvester Stallone)
: Yes Boss.
God: (Sigh). Adam, what about you, what do you think of the universe?
Adam (voice of Eddie Murphy): Oh, it’s absolutely delightful. I particularly like those sparkly little galaxies; and you just can't beat a brilliant sunset by the ocean or a thunderstorm over the Grand Canyon. I won't even go into women, you hit the jackpot with that one. But those black holes are a holy terror. And WHY is everything SO----FAR----APART. Man-o-man, the nearest star is 4 light years away. What were you thinking? And couldn't you at least do something about those damn mosquitoes. I hope I'm not stepping on any toes here, but if I'd have arranged things......
God: (Sigh)………(Smile)
There are a myriad of different lifeforms in the universe each with their own type of experiencing and growth. The ultimate purpose is realization of the Oneness of all consciousness through love of all.
It's hard for us to experience anything like oneness when we all have dying alone hanging over our heads the whole time we're here.
Interesting that a deist would say that.
How so?
The play on the stage doesn't end until Realization of the Oneness by all.
We have no evidence of that at all, at least not until after we've left the stage.
I was checking some Baha'i sources on the subject of "Angels" and found the following:
"Ye are the angels, if your feet be firm, your spirits rejoiced, your secret thoughts pure, your eyes consoled, your ears opened, your breasts dilated with joy, and your souls gladdened....."
"By angels is meant the divine confirmations and heavenly powers. Angels are also those holy souls who have severed attachment to the earthly world, who are free from the fetters of self and passion and who have attached their hearts to the divine realm and the merciful kingdom. They are of the kingdom, heavenly; they are of the merciful One, divine. They are the manifestations of the divine grace and the dawns of spiritual bounty."
~ Abdu'l-Baha
I suppose you could say I've met a few angels in my time...
So you're saying that angels are heavenly human souls. That would work, but it's certainly not the standard meaning for the word. Angels by all accounts were never mortal, though the mythology is often obscure.
