I’ve just bought a book ‘Seeing Angels’ by Emma Heathcote-James. I was on a random walkabout during my lunch hour and Waterstones bookstore clearly proved too much of a temptation. I originally headed in there to ‘window-shop’ for books on another topic but then discovered a small section which intrigued me. Right next to the ‘popular psychology’ section (packed with the habits of Steve Covey) was a small section on ‘Angels’.
Heathcote-James’ book was published in 2001, the fruit of doctoral research following her Theology Degree at The University of Birmingham, promises to tell the story of hundreds of ‘contemporary experiences with Angels’. Well, that got my attention! I’m really interested to know what the ‘real world’ thinks about angels – it was the blurb about the research and recounting of many recent experiences that sold it.
So that’s why I walked away with the book.
I enjoy looking for physical and spiritual connections between mankind, the world we live in, and God. Looking at the world in the light of God’s Biblical truth means you see things differently. I’m intrigued by what someone else might see when they haven’t yet encountered that truth. What does an angel (as I am slowly beginning to understand) look like to the guy down the street? If they encounter an angel, what is that encounter like and what does it mean to them?
The Bible talks about angels a lot. And it talks about allegiances. There is a battle being fought between angels loyal to God, and angels who have another agenda altogether. Mankind is right in the thick of it.
I will be trying to imagine, as I read this book, and hear of each persons story, just where those allegiances lie.
