Author Description
What Are Angels? Where Were They First Encountered? Can We Distinguish Angels From Gods, Faeries, Ghosts, And Aliens? And Why Do They Remain So Popular? In This Introduction To The History Of Angels, David Albert Jones Outlines Some Of The More Prominent Stories And Speculations About Angels In Judaism, Islam, Christianity And Post-christian Spiritualities. He Reflects On The Way Angels Are Portrayed In Art, Whether As Young Men In The Hebrew Scriptures, Androgynous Winged Creatures Of The Pre-raphaelites, Or The Masculine Statue Of The Angel Of The North. He Also Considers Angels In Films Such As Wim Wenders' Wings Of Desire, And Frank Capra's It's A Wonderful Life, As Well As Angels In Literature. From The Idea Of The Angel As A Messenger, Through To The Image Of Angels Sent To Protect And Help Those In Need, This Is An Examination Of The Implications Of Angels. It Asks Why People Find The Idea Of Them So Attractive, Helpful Or Consoling, And Why They Remain So Powerful In Modern Culture. In This Thought-provoking Introduction, Jones Considers The View That Reflecting On Angels Can Teach Us Something About Human Existence. Whether Or Not We Believe That They Exist In Their Own Right, Angels Can Still Illuminate Our Thoughts.
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
This book investigates the historical, cultural, and theological significance of angels across major world religions and modern secular media. David Albert Jones, a scholar in bioethics and theology, utilizes a comparative approach to examine how the concept of the angel has evolved from ancient scriptural texts to contemporary film and art. He argues that the enduring presence of angelic figures provides a unique lens through which to analyze human existential concerns and the universal desire for guidance and protection.
THE SCOPE MAP
What You Will Find
- Historical analysis of angelic figures in Judaism, Islam, and Christianity.
- Comparative study of angels versus other supernatural entities like ghosts and faeries.
- Examination of angelic representation in visual arts and cinema.
- Philosophical inquiry into the psychological appeal of angelic beings.
Scope Limits
- The text does not provide a definitive theological proof for the existence of angels.
- It does not focus on personal anecdotal accounts of angelic encounters.
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
Experts highlight this work as a balanced and accessible introduction to the history of angelology for both students and general readers. Readers frequently note the clarity of the prose and the author's ability to synthesize complex religious history with modern cultural analysis.
Page Count:
176
Publication Date:
2010-01-01
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
ISBN-10:
0191573949
ISBN-13:
9780191573941
Religion
Spirituality
History of religion
Theology
Angelology
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