The Immortality of Angels and Immortality

The Immortality of Angels: A Philosophical and Theological Inquiry

The concept of the Immortality of Angels stands as a cornerstone in classical Theology and metaphysics, deeply explored by the great minds of Western thought. This article delves into the philosophical arguments and theological understandings that posit angels as beings not subject to corruption or death, examining their unique nature, their relation to Eternity, and the implications of their enduring existence. From the foundational texts of Plato and Aristotle to the profound syntheses of Aquinas, we explore why angels are considered inherently immortal.

Understanding Angelic Immortality: Key Concepts

To grasp the full scope of angelic Immortality, we must first define our terms and the philosophical landscape within which this concept thrives.

Immortality: In this context, Immortality refers to an intrinsic inability to cease to exist naturally. It is not merely a very long life but an inherent freedom from decay, dissolution, or death. For angels, this is often tied to their substance.
Angel: Derived from the Greek angelos (messenger), angels are understood in most theological traditions as pure spiritual intelligences, distinct from both God and humanity. They lack physical bodies and are believed to possess intellect and will, but no material composition.
Theology: The systematic study of the divine and religious belief. Theology provides the framework for understanding the nature and purpose of angels within a divine order.
Eternity: Often confused with mere endless duration, Eternity (or aeviternity when applied to created beings like angels) signifies a timeless existence, free from succession or change. While God alone possesses absolute Eternity, angels participate in a form of Eternity that is perpetual and without end, though still created.

Philosophical Foundations from the Great Books

The notion of non-corporeal, immortal intelligences can be traced back to ancient Greek philosophy, which heavily influenced later Christian Theology.

Platonic Forms and Aristotelian Actuality: Plato's realm of eternal Forms and Aristotle's concept of pure actuality (e.g., the Unmoved Mover) laid intellectual groundwork for understanding beings that are immaterial and therefore not subject to the corruption inherent in material composites. If a being is not made of parts that can separate, it cannot naturally cease to be.
St. Augustine of Hippo: In works like City of God (found in the Great Books of the Western World), Augustine grappled with the nature of spiritual beings, including angels. He posited them as creatures of God, endowed with intellect and will, existing in a state of grace or fallenness, but consistently understood as immortal in their essence. Their Immortality is a gift from God, but also a consequence of their non-material nature.
St. Thomas Aquinas: Perhaps the most comprehensive treatment of angelic Immortality comes from Aquinas in his Summa Theologica. Drawing heavily on Aristotle, Aquinas systematically argued for the angels' Immortality based on their immateriality and simplicity.

(Image: A detailed classical oil painting depicting St. Thomas Aquinas seated at a desk, deeply engrossed in writing, with rays of divine light illuminating his parchment. Above him, subtle, ethereal figures of angels with serene expressions are partially visible, suggesting their spiritual presence and the subject of his intellectual contemplation. The background shows a scholarly study with towering bookshelves.)

Arguments for Angelic Immortality

The arguments for the Immortality of angels are primarily rooted in their fundamental nature as non-composite, spiritual substances.

Immateriality and Simplicity:
- Angels are understood to be pure spirits, entirely lacking a material body. Matter is inherently subject to change, corruption, and dissolution because it is composed of parts that can separate.
- Since angels are simple (meaning they are not composed of matter and form, or accidental properties that can be stripped away to destroy their essence), they have no parts into which they can dissolve. Their essence is their existence, or rather, their essence is immediately sustained in existence by God.
- Conclusion: A being without corruptible parts cannot naturally perish.
Actuality and Potency:
- Following Aristotle, Aquinas argued that angels are subsistent forms or intelligences. They are pure actualities in their being, without the potency (potentiality) to cease to be, which is inherent in material things.
- Material beings have a potency to non-being; they can lose their form or disintegrate. Angels, lacking matter, do not possess this intrinsic potency to cease existing.
Divine Will and Eternity:
- Angels were created by God, who is Himself Eternity and absolute being. God's creation of angels endowed them with a nature suited for perpetual existence.
- Their Immortality is a reflection of God's unchanging will and the perfection of His creation. While they are not eternal in the sense of being uncreated, they are created for Eternity – an unending duration, often termed aeviternity.

Distinctions and Nuances

It is crucial to differentiate angelic Immortality from other concepts:

Immortality vs. Absolute Eternity: Angels are immortal but not eternal in the same way God is. God's Eternity is uncreated, without beginning or end, and outside of time. Angelic Immortality means they had a beginning but will have no end; they exist perpetually within time, even if they transcend temporal succession in their intellectual activity to some degree.
Natural vs. Supernatural Immortality: The Immortality of angels is considered natural to their substance. This contrasts with the Immortality sometimes ascribed to human souls, which, while also simple and therefore naturally immortal, are distinct in their union with a body.

The Profound Implications of Angelic Immortality

The Immortality of angels carries significant weight in Theology and philosophy:

Order of Creation: It underscores a hierarchical order in creation, where beings are graded by their proximity to pure actuality and simplicity. Angels, as pure intelligences, occupy a higher rung than composite material beings.
Divine Providence: Their enduring existence speaks to the stability and purposefulness of God's creation. Angels fulfill their roles in the divine economy without the limitations of mortality.
Nature of Spiritual Substance: The arguments for angelic Immortality provide a profound exploration into the nature of non-material substance, pushing the boundaries of metaphysical thought beyond the empirical.

Conclusion

The philosophical and theological consensus, particularly as articulated in the Great Books of the Western World, firmly establishes the Immortality of angels. This Immortality stems not from a special divine decree that could be revoked, but from their very essence as simple, spiritual substances, inherently free from the corruptibility of matter. Their perpetual existence, a form of Eternity bestowed by their Creator, positions them as enduring intermediaries and intelligences within the vast tapestry of divine creation, challenging us to contemplate the enduring nature of being itself.

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