The Angelic Way: Angels through the Ages and Their Meaning for Us [Paperback]

Rami Shapiro (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2009

Examining angels as metaphors—not only of God reaching out to humankind but also of humankind reaching out to God—this comprehensive study illuminates the philosophical, psychological, and spiritual implications of angels, both heavenly and fallen, for readers and seekers of every faith or none. It gives both an overview of angels in various religious traditions, and an explanation of angels as expressions of human spiritual awareness, and shows that the fascination with winged spirits is universal. Offering an accessible history of angels, an exploration of the contemporary implications of angelology, and a means to make sense of angels and the divine in life, this stunning addition to angelic studies is a beautiful invitation to embrace the angelic in the everyday.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A fine contribution to the study of angels, including the gift of presenting the role of angels through the prism of deep ecumenism . . .Well worth reading—and practicing!"  —Matthew Fox, author, Original Blessing

"Shapiro discusses the history of angels, giving particular attention to archangels, fallen angels, and the Angel of Death . . . the connections Shapiro makes across ideas and traditions are intriguing . . . A well-informed but accessible treatment of angels as divine aspects of the self, which will appeal to general readers."   —Library Journal

"Shapiro's The Angelic Way delves into the many ways that angels have captivated human thought and helped us find ways to express our understanding of the divine."  —The Los Angeles Times

"At last! A discussion of angels that is lucid, comprehensive, and truly in the service of inner transformation."  —Cynthia Bourgeault, author, The Wisdom Jesus

"Rami Shapiro has not only given us historical information but also many spiritual insights about what angels have been to the human psyche in story, myth, and scripture. This is a fine book to enjoy and to learn from."  —Gunilla Norris, author, Simple Ways

"An amazing book! Like few others it opens the doors of our imagination to the rich story world of angels . . . A book full of surprising insights, delight, and wisdom."  —Ursula King, author, The Search for Spirituality

"The Angelic Way offers us a fresh and dynamic way to enter the mythic world of spirituality that recognizes angels as aspects of our own consciousness."  —Dennis Genpo Merzel, author, Big Mind Big Heart

About the Author

Rami Shapiro has been a congregational rabbi for 20 years, is currently an adjunct professor of religious studies at Middle Tennessee State University, and directs One River, a not-for-profit educational foundation. He is the author of Hasidic Tales: Annotated and Explained, The Sacred Art of Lovingkindness, and The Way of Solomon. He lives in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Bluebridge; Original edition (October 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1933346191
• ISBN-13: 978-1933346199
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #522,705 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very interesting study of angels across cultures, October 22, 2009

By 

Patrice Fagnant-macarthur (Springfield, MA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Angelic Way: Angels through the Ages and Their Meaning for Us (Paperback)

Angels have captured the imagination of humanity since the beginning of time. Rabbi Rami Shapiro seeks to examine and explore the mystery of angels in his new book, "The Angelic Way: Angels Through the Ages and Their Meaning for Us." He uncovers the shared myths about angels that exist in all the major religions of the world and contrasts and compares them. He emphasizes that myth does not mean "made up." Rather, a myth may very well be rooted in reality. The purpose of a myth is to "bring about a transformation in the person wrestling with that myth." Angels are meant to transform us, to bring us into closer contact with God, our Creator. Angels help lead us away from the notion that we are separate from God, an individual unto ourselves. They show us our interconnectedness with all the other beings on Earth and indeed, with God Himself.

Shapiro's study is fascinating. While he does spend a great deal of time explaining the Jewish understanding of angels (understandably so), he does a very good job of researching how angels are portrayed in all the major religions of the world. The commonalities are striking. He also shows how the understanding of angels has changed over time. His chapter on "Satan, the Fallen Angel" is particularly interesting. He shows how the concept of Satan has developed through the ages. The idea of Satan predates Jesus by over a thousand years and has its roots in Zoroastrian mythology where he acts in opposition to God. In contrast, the Hebrew Scriptures present Satan as one who acts at God's command or as "agent provocateur" (witness the book of Job). Satan can only suggest things. People choose to act. It is only in Christianity that Satan becomes capable of possessing people and forcing them to act.

Shapiro also devotes considerable time to exploring how angels have appeared as humans, the archangels, and the angel of death. He also delves into "the ascended ones" - humans in the various faith traditions who have been granted access to the next realm and then return to help those still in this realm. Elijah in Judaism, Mary in Christianity, and Muhammad in Islam all fall into this category. Shapiro's last chapter is devoted to "Lectio Divina and the Angelic Way" to invite readers to meditate on the angelic myths and learn from them.

"The Angelic Way" is very interesting. While some of Shapiro's ideas are dangerously close to Pantheism, there is still much to be learned from these pages. Perhaps the most important lesson is that angels are for all of us, regardless of our religious tradition.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars fascinating, November 21, 2009

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Angelic Way: Angels through the Ages and Their Meaning for Us (Paperback)

Rabbi Rami Shapiro looks deeply at angels in religion and mythology. The major religions share in common several similar traits though has some differences. One thing the Rabbi emphasizes that is common amidst the world religions is the role of angels is to help guide people closer to God and with one another as everyone is linked with everyone else. He also provides an intriguing chapter on Satan The Fallen Angel who "existed" a full millennia before Jesus anchored as a key part of the Zoroastrian religion with his being God's opposite ( assort of Yin and Yang - pardon the mixing of beliefs). As fascinating is the chapter on humans going the opposite way by ascending to heaven rather than angels descending to earth; people like Enoch, Elijah, Isaiah, Rabbi Ishmael, Mary and Muhammad are some of those included. In the Old Testament, angels play major roles as God's agents including Satan whereas Christianity takes the position that Satan is evil trickster able to fool people to act in his image. With other chapters including angelic sightings by key figures of Judaism, Christianity and Islam, this is a rounded fascinating look at what angels have meant over centuries though the prime emphasis is on the Hebrew; as the author is a rabbi.

Harriet Klausner

3.0 out of 5 stars Angelic Way, June 11, 2011

By 

Data Grrl "datagrrl" (Florida) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Angelic Way: Angels through the Ages and Their Meaning for Us (Paperback)

Didn't like this as much as some of Shapiro's other books -- this one is too academic, didn't catch me emotionally.