Angels and Demons

“We must also explain that we are not talking here about the faith possessed by the devil and the ungodly, who also believe the story that Christ suffered and was raised from the dead. But we are talking about true faith, which believes that we obtain grace and forgiveness of sin through Christ.

All who know that in Christ they have a gracious God call upon him and are not, like the heathen, without God. For the devil and the ungodly do not believe this article about the forgiveness of sin. That is why they are enemies of God, cannot call upon him, and cannot hope for anything good from him. Moreover, as has now been indicated, Scripture talks about faith but does not label it knowledge such as the devil and the ungodly have. For Hebrews 11:1 teaches that faith is not only a matter of historical knowledge, but a matter of having confidence in God to receive his promise. Augustine also reminds us that we should understand the word “faith” in Scripture to mean confidence in God—that God is gracious to us—and not merely such knowledge of these stories as the devils also have.”

The Augsburg Confession: Article 20: Concerning Faith and Good Works.

“It is also taught that our Lord Jesus Christ will return on the Last Day to judge, to raise all the dead, to give eternal life and eternal joy to those who believe and are elect, but to condemn the ungodly and the devils to hell and eternal punishment.

Rejected, therefore, are the Anabaptists who teach that the devils and condemned human beings will not suffer eternal torture and torment.

Likewise rejected are some Jewish teachings, which have also appeared in the present, that before the resurrection of the dead saints and righteous people alone will possess a secular kingdom and will annihilate all the ungodly.”  The Augsburg Confession: Article 17: Concerning the Return of Christ to Judgment.

These quotes from the Augsburg Confession make an interesting bridge.  The second quote is from my last post on hell and judgment.  The first quote will be repeated in my next blog on faith and "works."  What I am talking about today is demons and angels.  As is often the case, my motivation to post on a particular topic came from a post in the ELCA Clergy Group on Facebook regarding the Mark Lectionary text of Jesus casting out the demon in the synagogue in Mark 1.  This raised the question, not surprisingly, of whether as clergy persons we believe in demons.  There were many posts about casting out the demons of bigotry or racism, etc.  But in Mark 1, Jesus did two things.  He taught.  But then he cast out a demon.  This is another subject which, I confess, baffles me in terms of those who do not believe in literal demons (or angels).   I share the quotes above from The Augsburg Confession to hopefully make clear that Melanchthon (and Luther) did no such "spiritualizing" or "allegorizing."  Luther talked about doing spiritual battle with Satan.  He believed.

Of course, with regard to Scripture, those who choose not to believe in literal demons or the devil are faced with a tough choice.  Did Jesus not really understand what He was doing when He was casting out demons (which He actually did with regularity)?  Did He think He was casting out demons but in actuality He was healing of something?  (The condition of choice seems to be epilepsy.)  Do epileptics tend to have "word of knowledge" to know what demons know but the people around Jesus did not know?  Another option is no better.  Was Jesus intentionally misleading His followers?  He knew He wasn't actually casting out demons, but they were so backward that He lied to them when He knew He was actually healing instead?  Or maybe He just never actually meant what He said when talking about Satan or demons?

The same problem comes up with angels.  If someone chooses not to believe in literal angels, then who told Mary she was going to give birth to the Son of God?  Oh wait!  That assumes that you believe in The Virgin Birth.  Let's get that out of the way quickly.

"And in Jesus Christ...born of the Virgin Mary...."  Apostles' Creed.  Article 2.

"And in one Lord, Jesus Christ... who was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary...."  Nicene Creed. Article    2.

                    

And who told the women "He is not here.  He is risen."?

It is possible that God passed these messages on directly.  (Have you noticed that often in the Bible the angel and THE LORD tend to flow in and out of each other?  C. S. Lewis wrote about it.)  But why does the Bible say twice that angels ministered to Jesus?

So I believe in literal angels and demons.  As I shared in the ELCA Clergy Group, having attended an exorcism (which I have) gives you a different perspective.  It no longer becomes just a theological, theoretical discussion point.  The late Keith Green, singer and songwriter wrote a song years ago, "No One Believes in Me Anymore."  Satan reveled in the work he could do among people so sure he does not exist.

I end with a reading list.  Frank Peretti wrote a two novel set about angels and demons called, "This Present Darkness" (from Ephesians 6) and "Piercing the Darkness."  I enjoyed them both.  Then, of course, there is the classic novel by C. S. Lewis, "The Screwtape Letters."  If you read it (and it is also available unabridged on audio-book), don't miss the epilogue "Screwtape Gives a Toast."  Prophetic.

Next blog post will be "Don't just sit there.  Do something!"  Do Lutherans teach about "doing"?

Blessings.  And may God's angels watch over you and protect you.