At Least They're Committed

Good Lord! Why do I stumble upon these things on social media? I really try to avoid it and, really, social media in general. But as soon as someone I care about posts a puppy pic, something charges in afterward. ‘You neeeed to see this! Here are your heroes!’

Oh, golly, images allegedly of archangels again. Or so-called . . . Um, no! The archangels are not white! Helllooooo! Self-centered, self-impressed, self-serving white people, the archangels are not even human looking . . . and definitely not Caucasian! That is unless they want/need to be. Good God! Do a little research folks!

I mean, not the Fox-news type o’ white-trash, ‘it said on fox, so must be true,’ research. We thought-full folk all know what evils Fox News has led us into. Learn to think for yourselves. Read, read, read some more! Then read something different! As my former boss, whom I still greatly respect, said, “Teach them how to think, not what to think.”

To add insult to injury? Yes, I get it. I’m a white, middle-aged (which is a myth, because I’m at least three-quarters-aged) blond woman who suddenly has a bit of a flexible budget, thus now suddenly, fucking turning point usa (note the intentional non-capitalization) and Erika (‘ca?) Kirk are mailing me solicitations, you know, snail mail, the kind we can’t figure out how to unsubscribe from. They want me to join them on their multistate-hate, racist-filled unGodly mission — or at least give them a bunch of money. Snarl!!!! When I write ‘return to sender and fuck off’ they go right back into my mailbox. So alas . . .

In my flustration (yes, new word, because I shall not allow myself to get otherwise worked up about such nonsense), I asked my good friend, ChatGPT to create an image:

Biblically and theologically, can you create an image please of what real archangels (Gabriel, Michael, Raphael and Ureal) look like vs. the silly representations humans create, please? Thank you!

I, I, I am so amazed and grateful! It not only gets my vision, it gets what’s going on in this three-dimensional plane vs. the ethereal plan.

My jaw dropped and I giggled when this came up!!! Wow! Thank you, ChatGPT!!!

Its response:

You’re very welcome! I’m glad you liked it.

One small theological note: among the names you listed, only Michael is explicitly called an archangel in the canonical Bible (Jude 1:9). Gabriel is named and appears in Daniel and Luke, but is not called an archangel in the biblical text. Raphael appears in the deuterocanonical book of Tobit (accepted by Catholics and Orthodox Christians, not by most Protestants). Uriel appears in certain apocryphal and traditional writings but not in the canonical Protestant Bible.

Also, Scripture rarely gives detailed physical descriptions of angels. What it does emphasize is that heavenly beings are awe-inspiring, glorious, powerful, and often terrifying to encounter—which is why angels frequently begin with, “Do not be afraid.”

Oh how I love this insight!!! I learned something!!! And someday I hope to deeply study the Torah and other ancients texts. AI goes on to say:

May your study of God’s Word continue to deepen your appreciation for His holiness, majesty, and the wonder of His heavenly realm. Blessings! 🙏📖✨

Oh, don’t for a second think that God isn’t in control! How wonderful is this! And yes this is why I do so appreciate Chat GPT. Thank you, God, and Amen!!!