An Extraordinary Gathering of Angels [Illustrated] [Hardcover]

Margaret Barker (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2004

An Extraordinary Gathering of Angels is an exquisite visual and thoughtful study of the complex and fascinating world of angels in the Judaic-Christian tradition. Using more than 250 artworks, leading Biblical scholar and practicing theologian, Margaret Barker takes the reader on an extraordinary journey among the realm of angels. Barker makes this wonderful world accessible to all readers--mini essays make sense of the complex angel cosmology and detailed picture captions explain the meaning and significance of each angel type. Margaret also has included interviews she has taken with key theologians, artists and writers who have particular and sometimes differing viewpoints on the significance of angels. 

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Author Margaret Barker, a Hebrew scholar and profilic writer on religious history, is an influential figure in her subject area and to date has published ten specialist books. She is famous for having developed a whole new approach to biblical studies, known as Temple Theology. She is a Methodist preacher and a former President of the Society for Old Testament Study.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 432 pages
• Publisher: Spruce; Basic ed. edition (October 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1840726806
• ISBN-13: 978-1840726800
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 5.3 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #557,054 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gifts for the Eye and Spirit, March 6, 2005

By 

Kevin M. Christensen (Pittsburgh, PA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: An Extraordinary Gathering of Angels (Hardcover)

Slightly wider than a standard paperback, this hardback book is like a mini-coffee table art book. It contains over 170 color illustrations, including a wide range of "paintings, frescoes, stained glass windows, icons, and sculpture." The book is structured into 13 chapters, each with an introductory essay by Margaret Barker, notes and comments on the paintings, quotes from significant thinkers and scriptures on topic, and interviews with theologians writers from various religious traditions (including Jewish, Muslim, Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican, and LDS). Those familiar with Barker's other works will recognize her distinctive approach emerging in her introductory essays and selection of quotations. Barker has authored 10 significant books of Biblical scholarship, and served a term as the president elect of the Society for Old Testament Study. She is also a Methodist preacher, and writes from a perspective of one involved and committed. Her writing is always vivid, insightful, and relevant. Those interested in angels for themselves, or as a gift book, will find here a delightful treasure of art and insight. Those interested in to Barker's approaches at an introductory level for general readers, either for themselves, or for others, should be well served here. Those familiar with her scholarship will be pleased that one of the art works depicted is the orthodox icon of Wisdom, which she discusses in several essays in The Great High Priest. Highly recommended, as are all her books.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Angels from on high!, December 8, 2008

By 

Crazy Horse - See all my reviews

This review is from: An Extraordinary Gathering of Angels (Hardcover)

Margaret Barker, is a biblical scholar from England, has published a remarkable book about angels. Drawing on Christian and Jewish traditions, and to some extent on Islamic understandings, her book ranges widely from the importance of angels in the creation, their ranks and authorities, and their prominence in the heavenly visions experienced by the prophets to their ministry among mankind in furthering God's work and purposes on earth.

Barker discusses the close association of godly persons with the angels and the possibility of mankind becoming angels. The book relies heavily on the canonical scriptures but is also much informed by the treatment of angels found in extracanonical texts, especially in the Enoch literature and other related sources. She discusses the fallen angels and their evil influence and such concepts as guardian angels and the role of angels in providing inspiration and guidance.

A striking feature of the book is the great number of illustrations, most in color, taken from Christian, Jewish, and Islamic art, including paintings, frescoes, stained-glass windows, icons, and sculptures. Barker also offers many quotations about angels from writers and poets and includes interviews from scholars and officials representing various traditions.

Latter-day Saints will appreciate Barker's sensitive treatment of angels that are of special importance to them. A photograph of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir is shown as an illustration of the principle that in sacred song on earth we join with the saints and angels above in worshiping at the throne of God. The first vision of Joseph Smith is described and illustrated with a painting by Greg Olsen (p. 403) [since we don't believe that angels appeared to Joseph in the First Vision, perhaps put this toward the end of this paragraph when we talk of other heavenly messengers, or clarify].

The volume closes with an interview with Professor John W. Welch of Brigham Young University, summarizing what Mormons believe about angels and giving some details about the appearances and purposes of the angel Moroni and other heavenly messengers that ministered to the Prophet Joseph Smith (pp. 412--13).

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A marvelous mini-museum, in book form, April 24, 2009

By 

dylanissimus "dylanissimus" (Massachusetts) - See all my reviews

This review is from: An Extraordinary Gathering of Angels (Hardcover)

This book is a revelation! Containing artwork and iconography from Rublev, Fra Angelico, El Greco, Chagall, William Blake, and many lesser known figures; containing scholarly articles about the role of angels; containing excerpts of songs, poems, troparia, akathists, collects, chants, and other liturgical writings (these, in a large and wonderfully readable sans-serif typeface); containing interviews with divinity scholars -- the book is a visual marvel and a literary inspiration. Most enthusiastically recommended.