Lower than the Angels?

[Sparko]

wow

[nrajeff]

cause antis wish that smith made it all up.

fify

[Bill the Cat]

fify

Like this guy fixed the TV stand...

fix003.jpg

[Cerebrum123]

Please give me references in the bible that show that angels are not the same species as man.

Well, if you're looking for a passage that mentions the word "species" you will be disappointed, but there are plenty of verses that show that angels are not the same as humans. Also, I never claimed that angels can't LOOK like men, but that they are not the same type of being. These passages illustrate angels as being different than we are.

Matthew 22:30
At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven.

1 Corinthians 4:9
For it seems to me that God has put us apostles on display at the end of the procession, like those condemned to die in the arena. We have been made a spectacle to the whole universe, to angels as well as to human beings.

Notice how angels are mentioned separate from humans? Here are some other interesting passages.

Hebrews 1:13
To which of the angels did God ever say, “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet” ?

Hebrews 1:5
[ The Son Superior to Angels ] For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father” ? Or again, “I will be his Father, and he will be my Son” ?

Hebrews 2:16
For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants.

2 Peter 2:4
For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them in chains of darkness to be held for judgment;

2 Peter 2:11
yet even angels, although they are stronger and more powerful, do not heap abuse on such beings when bringing judgment on them from the Lord.

[nrajeff]

Like this guy fixed the TV stand...

fix003.jpg

Is that Mitt Romney? Chris Noth?

[OtherCheek]

Also, I never claimed that angels can't LOOK like men, but that they are not the same type of being.

What purpose would it serve for God to deceive his prophets by having his angels just "LOOK" like a man or woman?

[Thersites]

What purpose would it serve for God to deceive his prophets by having his angels just "LOOK" like a man or woman?

How human are the physical descriptions of angels in the bible?

ETA: I figured it would be helpful to provide an example of an angel being described. This is from Ezekiel 1. Emphases added.

4 And I looked, and, behold, a whirlwind came out of the north, a great cloud, and a fire infolding itself, and a brightness was about it, and out of the midst thereof as the colour of amber, out of the midst of the fire.

5 Also out of the midst thereof came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance; they had the likeness of a man.

6 And every one had four faces, and every one had four wings.

7 And their feet were straight feet; and the sole of their feet was like the sole of a calf's foot: and they sparkled like the colour of burnished brass.

8 And they had the hands of a man under their wings on their four sides; and they four had their faces and their wings.

9 Their wings were joined one to another; they turned not when they went; they went every one straight forward.

10 As for the likeness of their faces, they four had the face of a man, and the face of a lion, on the right side: and they four had the face of an ox on the left side; they four also had the face of an eagle.

11 Thus were their faces: and their wings were stretched upward; two wings of every one were joined one to another, and two covered their bodies.

[KingsGambit]

What purpose would it serve for God to deceive his prophets by having his angels just "LOOK" like a man or woman?

Considering that humans are said to be made in the image of God, I can see this argument severely backfiring.

[onefour1]

Well, if you're looking for a passage that mentions the word "species" you will be disappointed, but there are plenty of verses that show that angels are not the same as humans. Also, I never claimed that angels can't LOOK like men, but that they are not the same type of being. These passages illustrate angels as being different than we are.

Matthew 22:30
At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven.

1 Corinthians 4:9
For it seems to me that God has put us apostles on display at the end of the procession, like those condemned to die in the arena. We have been made a spectacle to the whole universe, to angels as well as to human beings.

Notice how angels are mentioned separate from humans? Here are some other interesting passages.

Hebrews 1:13
To which of the angels did God ever say, “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet” ?

Hebrews 1:5
[ The Son Superior to Angels ] For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father” ? Or again, “I will be his Father, and he will be my Son” ?

Hebrews 2:16
For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants.

2 Peter 2:4
For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them in chains of darkness to be held for judgment;

2 Peter 2:11
yet even angels, although they are stronger and more powerful, do not heap abuse on such beings when bringing judgment on them from the Lord.

Nothing in the above shows that angel are a different species than man.

[OtherCheek]

Considering that humans are said to be made in the image of God, I can see this argument severely backfiring.

Right. Maybe humans are in actuality really millipedes but we are only made to "look" like God's image. Maybe we are really nothing of the sort.

[Cow Poke]

What purpose would it serve for God to deceive his prophets by having his angels just "LOOK" like a man or woman?

Angels are messengers. They frequently begin their "contact" with humans by saying something like "fear not" or "don't be afraid". What purpose would it serve God to have Angels look like demonic beings or fire breathing dragons.....? Why does there have to be an element of deception, OC?

[onefour1]

How human are the physical descriptions of angels in the bible?

ETA: I figured it would be helpful to provide an example of an angel being described. This is from Ezekiel 1. Emphases added.
4 And I looked, and, behold, a whirlwind came out of the north, a great cloud, and a fire infolding itself, and a brightness was about it, and out of the midst thereof as the colour of amber, out of the midst of the fire.

5 Also out of the midst thereof came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance; they had the likeness of a man.

6 And every one had four faces, and every one had four wings.

7 And their feet were straight feet; and the sole of their feet was like the sole of a calf's foot: and they sparkled like the colour of burnished brass.

8 And they had the hands of a man under their wings on their four sides; and they four had their faces and their wings.

9 Their wings were joined one to another; they turned not when they went; they went every one straight forward.

10 As for the likeness of their faces, they four had the face of a man, and the face of a lion, on the right side: and they four had the face of an ox on the left side; they four also had the face of an eagle.

11 Thus were their faces: and their wings were stretched upward; two

These verses say nothing about angels. I don't believe this refers at all to angels.

[OtherCheek]

Angels are messengers. They frequently begin their "contact" with humans by saying something like "fear not" or "don't be afraid". What purpose would it serve God to have Angels look like demonic beings or fire breathing dragons.....? Why does there have to be an element of deception, OC?

My point exactly. Just let them appear as they really are. There is nothing to hide.

[Cow Poke]

My point exactly. Just let them appear as they really are. There is nothing to hide.

OK - what did I miss? Who's trying to hide anything?

[Catholicity]

OK - what did I miss? Who's trying to hide anything?

I'm hiding my pizza from you