No Ordinary Angel: Celestial Spirits and Christian Claims about Jesus

352 Pages·2008·4.12 MB·English

by  Susan R. Garrett

no ordinary angel
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the anchor yale bible reference library
N O
O R D I N A R Y
A N G E L
C
elestial Spirits
and Christian Claims
about Jesus
susan r. garrett
yale university press
New Haven and London
Copyright © 2008 by Susan R. Garrett.
All rights reserved.
This book may not be reproduced, in whole or in part, including illustrations,
in any form (beyond that copying permitted by Sections 107 and 108
of the U.S. Copyright Law and except by reviewers for the public press),
without written permission from the publishers.
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Set in Minion by dix!
Printed in the United States of America by Vail-Ballou, Binghamton, N.Y.
library of congress cataloging-in-publication data
Garrett, Susan R., 1958–
No ordinary angel : celestial spirits and Christian claims about Jesus / Susan R. Garrett.
p. cm. — (The Anchor Yale Bible reference library)
Includes bibliographical references (p. ) and index.
ISBN 978-0-300-14095-8 (alk. paper)
1. Angels—Biblical teaching. I. Title.
BS680.A48G38 2008
235'.3—dc22
2008024112
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
The paper in this book meets the guidelines for permanence and durability
of the Committee on Production Guidelines for Book Longevity
of the Council on Library Resources.
1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2
T
o
richard d. renninger
and
sharon l. renninger
with eternal gratitude
for their love and
support
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contents
Acknowledgments, ix
Abbreviations, xiii
Hebrew and Greek Transliteration, xv
Introduction, 1
1 Agents of Healing, Messengers of Truth, 17
2 Angels at the Throne: Entering into God’s Presence, 40
3 Falling Angels: Desiring Divinity, Wanting the World, 77
4 Satan and the Powers, 103
5 Guardian Angels, 139
6 Angels and Death, 186
Conclusion, 237
Notes, 243
Bibliography, 305
General Index, 321
Index of Modern Authors, 325
Index of Scripture and Other Ancient Writings, 328
vviiii
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acknowledgments
I first got the idea that it would be interesting to write a book about angels
about ten years ago. When I began the research, I had no idea that the work
would take so long to complete, or that it would take me so far afield from
my primary specialization in New Testament studies. I have done my best
to write in an informed way about areas in which I am less at home, but I
do request the reader’s indulgence. Still and all, ranging so widely has been
a source of considerable interest and pleasure for me, as I hope the finished
work will be for the reader.
I have incurred many debts over the course of my work. I especially want
to thank administrators and trustees at Louisville Presbyterian Theological
Seminary for their interest and encouragement, and for supporting several
research leaves during the last decade. John M. Mulder, Joe Coalter, John W.
Kuykendall, Dean K. Thompson, W. Eugene March, Dianne Reistroffer, and
David C. Hester were all accommodating in this regard. Other colleagues at
the Seminary were also helpful. Patricia K. Tull and W. Eugene March each
read portions of the manuscript and generously shared their wisdom with
me. Amy Plantinga Pauw read portions of the manuscript, offered many
bibliographic suggestions, and patiently tutored me in theology, sometimes
on walks through Cherokee Park. Marion L. Soards and Kathryn L. Johnson
helped me through their friendship and general supportiveness. Librarians
Angela Morris, David Scarlott, and Rick Jones assisted me with many biblio-
graphic matters. Administrative assistant Melisa Scarlott helped me not only
with the book but also with my other responsibilities (including, especially,
i xix