Doctrine
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Angel (Concept)

Angel (Concept)

See also: Angels - for the divine beings themselves

Angelology is the theological doctrine and study of angels—their nature, functions, hierarchies, and role in the divine plan. Across the Abrahamic traditions, angels represent a fundamental bridge between the divine and human realms.

Theological Significance

The doctrine of angels addresses several key theological concepts:

Divine Mediation

Angels serve as intermediaries between God and humanity, demonstrating that divine communication often works through created agents rather than direct encounter. This has implications for understanding revelation, prophecy, and divine sovereignty.

Spiritual Reality

The existence of angels affirms a spiritual dimension to reality beyond the physical world—beings who are created yet non-corporeal, possessing intelligence and will but not bound by material constraints.

Hierarchical Creation

Angelic hierarchies suggest that creation itself is ordered and stratified, with different types of beings serving different functions within the divine economy.

Angelic Hierarchies

Jewish Tradition

Jewish theology recognizes various categories of angels:

  • Seraphim - Six-winged beings who attend God’s throne (Isaiah 6)
  • Cherubim - Guardians of sacred space (Garden of Eden, Ark of the Covenant)
  • Mal’akhim - Messengers (the basic term for angel)
  • The Angel of the LORD - A special category, sometimes identified with divine presence itself

Named angels include Gabriel, Michael, Raphael, and Uriel.

Christian Tradition

Christianity inherited and expanded Jewish angelology:

Medieval Hierarchy (following Pseudo-Dionysius):

  1. First Sphere: Seraphim, Cherubim, Thrones
  2. Second Sphere: Dominions, Virtues, Powers
  3. Third Sphere: Principalities, Archangels, Angels

This system organizes angels by proximity to God and breadth of authority.

Theological Roles:

Islamic Tradition

In Islam, belief in angels (malā’ika) is one of the six articles of faith:

Created Nature:

  • Made from light (nūr)
  • Lack free will—perfectly obedient to God
  • Neither male nor female
  • Can take various forms

Major Angels:

  • Jibril (Gabriel) - Brings revelation, delivered the Quran
  • Mikail (Michael) - Provides sustenance and rain
  • Israfil - Will blow the trumpet on Judgment Day
  • Azrael - Angel of death

Functional Roles:

  • Recording angels (Kiraman Katibin) document human deeds
  • Munkar and Nakir question souls in the grave
  • Angels bear the divine throne
  • Angels glorify God constantly

Messengers and Intermediaries

The primary function of angels across all three traditions is serving as divine messengers:

This messenger role connects angelology to doctrines of revelation and prophecy—God’s word comes through created intermediaries.

Theological Debates

Nature and Free Will

  • Do angels have free will? Judaism and Christianity generally say yes (hence fallen angels); Islam traditionally says no (except for jinn like Iblis)
  • Are angels personal beings or impersonal forces?
  • Can angels sin?

Fallen Angels

The doctrine of fallen angels raises questions about the origin of evil:

Worship and Veneration

  • All three traditions forbid worshiping angels (they are creatures, not God)
  • However, veneration practices vary
  • Angels point to God, never to themselves

For the beings themselves, see:

For related theological concepts: