This document summarizes Jonathan Edwards' views on angels based on his writings. It discusses Edwards' traditional understanding of angels within the medieval framework of creation, fall, and confirmation. The summary focuses on three key areas: Edwards saw angels as exalted spiritual beings created to glorify God and assist humanity. He believed one third of angels fell due to jealousy of humanity's relationship with God. Finally, Edwards thought unfallen angels were confirmed in Christ and functioned as messengers and servants carrying out specific tasks assigned by God.

1. JONATHAN EDWARDS ENCYCLOPEDIA PROJECT AT YALE DIVINITY
ANGELS
John T. Lowe
lowejohnthomas@gmail.com
Jonathan Edwards. The Complete Works of Jonathan Edwards, Volume 2, Miscellanies.
Peabody: Hendrickson Publishing, 2011.
Jonathan Edwards. Of Angels and Devils, Those Fallen and Those Standing with Their
Allegiance to God Confirmed. Goodyear: Diggory Press, 2007.
Word count: 496
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Angels. Edwards’ angelology is traditional and operates within a medieval progressive
framework of creation, fall, and confirmation. Moreover, his interest in angels was especially
focused on their being, mission, and function as it relates to Jesus Christ. He was not as
concerned with their innate wisdom or substance as he was with their purpose.
Edwards’ approach to angels began much like his contemporaries and predecessors by relying on
biblical exegesis. He saw angels having a role in glorifying God in Christ and in the lives of man
as part of God’s plan for salvation. Angelology was thus a corollary to Christology. He did,
however, move beyond scriptural exegesis and entertained speculation, though he was aware that
he could not completely ascertain the supernatural work of God, much less the work of a
celestial being higher in nature and stature. As rational as Edwards was he often qualified his
conclusions regarding angels with, “I suppose” and “it is probable.”
Being. Angels are exalted in both nature and faculty above man’s physical and experiential
boundaries. They excel in both wisdom and strength, and were created spiritual beings of a
higher order than man. While advanced in dignity and honor, they are bounded by limitations of
space and subject to temptation. Edwards speculated that the fall of the angels was rooted in their
jealously of man for God had declared his love for man and made the angels ministers to those
who were beneath them in the created order. So they were tempted and one third of them
rebelled. Like men, however, the eternal judgment of non-elect angels had been decreed by God.
Edwards saw the unfallen angels united with Christ as a part of his body. He understood Christ
as the head of angels, for all things had been put under Christ’s feet. Furthermore, Edwards
concluded that the elect angels were confirmed when Christ was placed as their head at the time
of his ascension and therefore they could not fall afterward as they were united with him in body.
This means that angels are also dependent on Christ for their eternal life.
Mission. Angels are ministering spirits sent by God to serve the saints and those who would be
heirs of salvation. By this, angels are made inferior to humanity. As messengers, servants, and

2. ministers they possess ministerial dominion over what is given to them by God to carry out his
will. Edwards saw that God had created angels for specialized tasks and their faithfulness to
these tasks would be the condition of their heavenly reward.
Function. Angels function as messengers, servants, and minsters possessing dominion over what
has been given to them by God to carry out his will. Edwards believed angels delivered specific
messages by God, overseeing specific churches as well as individuals. They are incapable of
understanding and managing the affairs of the entire universe, nor carry out the whole extent of
God’s providence and are appointed, therefore, to particular affairs and kinds of work.