The Immortality of Angels and Immortality

The Unfading Light: Pondering the Immortality of Angels

Summary:
Angelic Immortality is not merely a theological assertion but a profound philosophical consequence of their very nature. Unlike corporeal beings susceptible to decay, angels, conceived as pure intellects or spiritual substances, possess an inherent indestructibility. Drawing from classical theology and metaphysics found in the Great Books of the Western World, this article explores how their immateriality, simplicity, and direct creation by God grant them an intrinsic Immortality, positioning them uniquely between transient material existence and divine Eternity.

Introduction:
From ancient scriptures to intricate philosophical treatises, the concept of the angel has captivated human imagination and intellect. These celestial intermediaries, often depicted as messengers or guardians, occupy a unique stratum in the hierarchy of being. Yet, beyond their roles and representations lies a deeper philosophical question: What is their nature, and specifically, are they truly immortal? For Benjamin Richmond, and indeed for any serious student of metaphysics and theology, this is not a trivial inquiry but one that probes the very foundations of existence, substance, and duration. Our exploration, guided by the profound insights preserved within the Great Books of the Western World, seeks to uncover the intellectual scaffolding that supports the belief in the Immortality of Angels.

The Metaphysical Blueprint: Understanding Angelic Substance

To grasp angelic Immortality, we must first delve into the classical understanding of their being. Unlike humans, who are composites of body and soul, angels are traditionally understood as purely spiritual, incorporeal substances. This fundamental distinction is key to their enduring nature.

Substance and Form: Beyond Corruption

Aristotelian metaphysics, heavily influencing later Christian theology through thinkers like Thomas Aquinas, posits that corruption and decay arise from the separation of form from matter. Material objects disintegrate because their constituent parts can be broken down or rearranged. However, an angel, being an immaterial substance, lacks matter. It is pure form, a subsistent intellect. Without matter, there is no potential for decomposition, no intrinsic principle of change that leads to annihilation. As such, an angel cannot "die" in the way a physical body perishes. Their essence is their existence in a way that material beings cannot emulate.

Divine Immateriality and Angelic Being

The concept of immateriality in angels also links them, albeit distantly, to the divine. God, as the ultimate, uncaused cause, is pure actuality, utterly simple and without parts. Angels, as creatures, are not divine, but they partake in this simplicity by virtue of their spiritual nature. They are created directly by God, each an individual species unto itself according to some scholastic traditions, designed to reflect a specific divine idea. This direct creation, coupled with their lack of material composition, renders them intrinsically durable. They are, in essence, perfect in their created kind, lacking the internal contradictions or potential for fragmentation that characterize the material world.

Immortality as an Intrinsic Quality

The Immortality of angels is thus not merely a gift bestowed but a consequence inherent in their very constitution. It flows directly from their being.

Indestructible Simplicity

The argument for angelic Immortality hinges on their simplicity. A simple being is one that has no parts into which it can be divided. If something has no parts, it cannot be broken apart or dissolved. Since angels are understood to be simple, spiritual substances, they lack the internal complexity that would allow for disintegration. Their existence is not contingent on the cohesion of disparate elements; they are, in themselves, whole and complete. This "indestructible simplicity" means that an angel cannot cease to exist from within; its existence can only be terminated by the same power that brought it into being: God.

Eternity in Time: Angelic Duration

While God exists in pure Eternity—a timeless, unchanging present—angels exist in what scholastic philosophers termed "aevum." Aevum is a type of duration that is distinct from both pure Eternity and temporal succession. It is not subject to change or succession in the way that time is for material beings, yet it is not utterly outside of duration like God's Eternity. Angels are immutable in their substance and perfect in their operations, but they can still experience a sequence of actions or thoughts. This unique mode of duration underscores their Immortality: they are not bound by the cycles of growth and decay that define temporal existence, yet they are not co-eternal with God. Their existence, once initiated, simply continues without end, unless God were to actively annihilate them, a concept generally considered contrary to divine wisdom and goodness in traditional theology.

Distinguishing Angelic Immortality

It is crucial to differentiate the Immortality of angels from other forms of enduring existence.

Contrast with Human Souls

The human soul, too, is considered immortal in many philosophical and theological traditions, notably within the Great Books by figures like Plato and Augustine. However, the human soul is intrinsically linked to a body during earthly life, forming a composite being. While the soul is believed to survive the death of the body, its natural state is seen as being united with a body. The angel, by contrast, is never embodied. Its Immortality is not a survival after a separation, but an intrinsic, uninterrupted state of being. The angel is always fully itself, always in its natural state, without the potential for the kind of existential transition experienced by the human soul at death.

The Divine Source of All Being

Ultimately, all Immortality, whether angelic or human-soul, derives from God, the source of all being and Eternity. God alone possesses Immortality by nature, being Eternity itself. Angels are immortal by participation, by the will and power of their Creator. Their enduring existence is a testament to the divine intention for beings of pure intellect to persist, to reflect God's truth and goodness without the limitations of the material world. This understanding enriches our appreciation of the diverse forms of existence within the cosmos, each reflecting a facet of the infinite divine nature.

Philosophical Implications

The concept of angelic Immortality extends beyond mere theological dogma; it offers profound insights into the nature of existence itself. It pushes us to consider what it means to be a "pure spirit," a being of intellect and will unburdened by material constraints. It challenges our anthropocentric view of existence, suggesting realms of being that operate on fundamentally different principles. By studying angels, we are, in a sense, studying the outer limits of creation, the bridge between the purely material and the purely divine, gaining a richer understanding of the hierarchy of being and the vastness of divine creative power.

Conclusion:
The Immortality of angels is a cornerstone of classical theology and a fascinating subject for philosophical inquiry. Rooted in their immateriality, simplicity, and direct creation by God, their enduring existence speaks to a realm of being that transcends the cycles of generation and corruption. As we reflect on these celestial intelligences, we are reminded of the profound depths of metaphysical thought preserved in the Great Books of the Western World, urging us to contemplate the enduring mysteries of existence, Eternity, and the diverse forms of Immortality that populate the cosmos.

(Image: A detailed classical depiction of an angel, perhaps from a Renaissance painting or a medieval manuscript illumination, with emphasis on its serene, unchanging countenance, ethereal light, and absence of physical decay. The angel should appear intellectual and contemplative, perhaps holding a scroll or looking heavenward, symbolizing its spiritual nature and connection to divine knowledge. The background could subtly hint at celestial spheres or a timeless, non-earthly realm.)

Video by: The School of Life

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