What Is Being Taught?

[John81]

Over the past few weeks I've watched some programs dealing with various disasters and their effect on people. Most of these were with regard to weather related events, but some also included things such as war and crime.

 

In each of these programs I heard what I've heard the same sort of things I've heard various people say over the years regarding departed loved ones.

 

Invariably, they all believe their departed loved ones are in heaven, and just as invariably there is no testimony of salvation for any of the departed loved ones. The vast majority of these also believe their departed loved ones are now angels. Not only that, but they believe they are now their personal guardian angels. Some even pray and/or speak to their departed loved ones they believe are now angels. Some related accounts of how their angelic departed loved one has looked out for them, protected them, provided for them in some miraculous way.

 

References to God are very generic and the few who mention the name of Jesus do so in likewise generic fashion. Those who mentioned their church affiliation ran the gamut from Catholic to Baptist, from Lutheran to Methodist and others. Most of these seemed to be ones who at least fairly regularly attend their church.

 

Are these strange teachings that common across the land?

 

My own wife, when we first met, was among those who thought when a saved person died (at least she understood one had to be saved to go to heaven) they became an angel. She had heard this in a Methodist and a Baptist church in Texas! She had heard that all her life and it took me a long time to get that out of her head.

 

Why do so many teach, and others believe, this clearly unbiblical stuff?

 

How often do we hear Christians talking about a child who died and they say, "God needed another angel so He took her"? In this teaching there is also the factor of putting what amounts to blame upon God since "He took her". I've heard grieving parents ask why God had to take their child when He's supposed to have control over everything and to love His people. How sad! When folks need to be turning to God for comfort, they are being told God took their child so He could have another angel. As confusing as such things are to adults, this sort of thing often plays havoc with a child's understanding of God.

 

 

[2bLikeJesus]

I for one have never heard in any Baptist church that men ever become angels.  

 

Hebrews 2:7 (KJV)
⁷  Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands: 

 

In fact in the final judgement, we which are in heaven will be appointed judge of angels.

 

1 Corinthians 6:3 (KJV)
³  Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life? 

 

Bro. Garry

[John81]

I've never heard such a teaching in any church I've attended but apparently many others have and in a very wide variety of churches.

 

I had to go through Scripture, more than once, showing my wife the relevant verses dealing with the subject to get that false teaching out of her head.

 

Notice what most depictions of angels look like, whether paintings, figurines or otherwise; both ancient and modern. Typically they take the form of a fat baby or a woman. Not a single verse of Scripture even remotely depicts an angel having either form. Even so, many Christian homes are filled with "angel" figures and many Christian women carry on and on about their "angel" collections.

 

Our pastor addressed this matter during services recently as we are in Hebrews and the text points out the superiority of Jesus to angels. Our pastor took the time to point out some of the false teachings and views regarding angels and then provide Scripture referencing the reality of angels.

[2bLikeJesus]

100% of the time angels are mentioned in the bible they are male in gender and often are easily mistaken to be normal humans.  In fact, according to scripture, you may have unknowingly entertained angels yourself in this life.   Anyone who envisions angels as being fat babies or women, has been reading to many Hallmark Cards, and certainly not the bible.  

 

Hebrews 13:2 (KJV) 

²  Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

 

Bro. Garry 

[Anon]

Well, throughout history, Bible teachings have been distorted by different people groups.  Each group had their own variant of Bible stories and teachings.

 

Seems today, society has sort of cherry-picked their own preferences on what the truth is, and what makes them feel good.  For instance, it makes a grieving mother feel better to believe that God wanted her baby to be an angel.   If they aren't saved, then it's the only real comfort they have, anyway.

 

And thanks to demonic activity (and sometimes, just too many late night snacks), many people believe their departed loved ones are their guardians because they actually hear voices or see visions or dreams of their loved ones.  It's a deceit that the devil doesn't mind at all....because it removes the personal need for salvation.

 

My grandma said that several of her dead loved ones would visit her in the night to tell her that they were happy and okay.   It sounds so "mean" to say that's demonic, but it really is...because it's a gentle deceit that most people fall for.

[Guest]

I was always taught when I was younger that I had some "guardian angel" watching over me to protect me.  I used to laugh because I considered him the biggest failure of all time if that was his jOB.  Of course, now that I know scripture, I see the fallacy of such a teaching.

 

Dwaine

[HappyChristian]

I agree with Kita - I think this idea started because of wanting comfort in the death of a loved one.  I don't know anyone who really knows their Bible that believes people become angels.  But I do know a lot of people who think they know their Bible who believe that.  Many of them are Christians, many aren't.

 

It's easier to swallow the idea that your loved one (regardless of age) has become an angel and is now protecting you than it is to accept that said loved one might just be in Hell...

[MountainChristian]

When Dale Earnhardt died, Dale Jr. said "God let his dad into heaven because he was the kind of guy God would like to have on his team". I hope the real christians who work on race cars told him who God is and how to be born again. 

[John81]

I've also heard a good number of people over the years say they saw and/or heard a dead relative. A few thought it was a ghost but most thought their dead relative had been turned into their guardian angel. It's also amazing how many Christians believe some dead people become ghosts.

 

It's true that many Christians think they know more of the Bible than they actually do. It's not uncommon to hear Christians quote a secular phrase which they believe is from the Bible. "Cleanliness is next to godliness" being among them. One of the most common I've heard Christians quote, believing they are quoting Scripture is, "God helps those who help themselves".

 

Lack of Bible reading and study, lack of sound biblical preaching, these have all led to there being so many false ideas and teachings out there which has led to an abundance of misled and confused Christians (and non-christians).

[HappyChristian]

I love my Dad and miss him something fierce...but there is NO WAY I want to see "him" at the foot of my bed or elsewhere! <shiver> I can wait til I get to Heaven for that!!

[AVBibleBeliever]

have you considered that the teaching comes from this verse out of context of course.

 

 Mt 22:30 For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.

 

two points of that false teaching are seen here 1) they are angels and 2) they are in heaven.

 

anything to distract from the truth.
 

[John81]

I don't know. I've never actually heard anyone give an attempt to biblically support the idea. Some have tried to say, "it's in the Bible", but when challenged to show where, they always say they don't know where, only that it's in there somewhere.

 

Along with these things there are also many Christians, even those who know the Gospel, who yet believe that in the end virtually every "good person" will go to heaven. This is why you hear so many Christians saying they believe Michael Jackson went to heaven along with their "good" Aunt Sadie even knowing neither ever had a testimony of salvation and provided evidences of being lost in their sins.

[Guest]

I for one have never heard in any Baptist church that men ever become angels.  

 

Hebrews 2:7 (KJV)
⁷  Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands: 

 

In fact in the final judgement, we which are in heaven will be appointed judge of angels.

 

1 Corinthians 6:3 (KJV)
³  Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life? 

 

Bro. Garry

I agree, draw a line from San Angelo, Tx. to Browns Mills, N.J in various states both north and south of this line; I've attended mostly Baptist Churches but many protestant also, in Corpus Christi, Houston, Dallas, Alexandria, La., Hudson, Fl., Summerville, SC, Virginia Beach, Va., many in Ohio, and recently in Watertown, NY, never heard any teaching saints become angels. I have heard many call a baby a 'little angel' but, I figure they changed their mind after a few tantrums.

[AVBibleBeliever]

I don't know. I've never actually heard anyone give an attempt to biblically support the idea. Some have tried to say, "it's in the Bible", but when challenged to show where, they always say they don't know where, only that it's in there somewhere.

 

Along with these things there are also many Christians, even those who know the Gospel, who yet believe that in the end virtually every "good person" will go to heaven. This is why you hear so many Christians saying they believe Michael Jackson went to heaven along with their "good" Aunt Sadie even knowing neither ever had a testimony of salvation and provided evidences of being lost in their sins.

the latter could be implied by the out of context verse use of

 

Roms 2:14, 15 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:  Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another

 

in other words if you are good you are doing Gods will and that equates to going to heaven.

 

People make up the craziest things from the Bible.  Especially those who think they are saved.

[MountainChristian]

I agree, draw a line from San Angelo, Tx. to Browns Mills, N.J in various states both north and south of this line; I've attended mostly Baptist Churches but many protestant also, in Corpus Christi, Houston, Dallas, Alexandria, La., Hudson, Fl., Summerville, SC, Virginia Beach, Va., many in Ohio, and recently in Watertown, NY, never heard any teaching saints become angels. I have heard many call a baby a 'little angel' but, I figure they changed their mind after a few tantrums.

 

      AMEN!!!!