Our Dead Loved Ones Do Not Become Angels, Says Best-Selling Author; Advises Christians Not to Pray to Them: God 'Is the One We Worship'
New York Times bestselling author of the "Angels Walking" series Karen Kingsbury is making a Scriptural argument for the existence of angels on the heels of releasing her latest book.
Released earlier this month, "Chasing Sunsets" is the second book in the popular "Angels Walking" series, which features angels at work in desperate matters of the heart. While Kingsbury supports the existence of angels, the author acknowledged the controversy caused in some Christian communities over the topic during an interview with The Christian Post this week. Furthermore, Kingsbury rejected the idea that angels are deceased loved ones or that they deserve our prayers, citing Scripture.
"The Bible is pretty clear on angels in that they come from God His army, He is the one we worship, He is the one to be prayed to - not the angels," Kingsbury explained. "Angels can't be our dead mom or dad. We can hope our dead loved ones can see us from heaven and that they're praying for us, I think you could make a Scriptural argument for that, but they're not angels."
Kingsbury went on to point out that angels are often confusing to Christians, but that the beings are completely separate from humans.
"I think what happens is, we are so glad that we have this supernatural heavenly being assigned to us that we get so excited and start to confuse the gift [of the angel] with the Giver," Kingsbury noted. "Angels are really separate beings that God created to minister to us to rescue us at times, and sometimes they carry a message. They are important in the economy of heaven, but they are created as part of His army. I think that's where the confusion comes."
Moreover, Kingsbury was inspired to write "Chasing Sunsets" by the Bible, specifically Hebrews 13:2.
"I actually wanted to show angels as characters, and I got that idea from Hebrews 13, verse 2 that says, 'Be careful to entertain strangers for in doing so, some of you have entertained angels without knowing it,'" she noted. "That verse stuck out - so that means there are angels that look like us that might help me if I have a flat tire, or give me directions, or a word of wisdom. If I turn around and they're gone - I'll never know this side of heaven, but possibly, it was an angel."
To learn more about the "Angels Walking" series and "Chasing Sunsets," visit Kingsbury's website here. Also, find a trailer for the book here. "Chasing Sunsets" is available at all major retailers for $22.99.