Duane Hicks
Rev. Jacob Quast, of the Church of the Lutheran Hour here, recently had his book, “Angels: What you should know about these divine messengers (both the good and the bad),” published—and is hoping anyone with an interest in the subject gives it a read.
Having long had an interest in angels, Rev. Quast has traced the history of the church’s teachings about angels, from 100 A.D. to current beliefs, as well as the nature and function of them.
“Then what I’ve done is taken a look at not just what the church believes, but what contemporary society believes, concerning angels,” he explained.
“I’ve done a comparison between what Western society holds to and the Biblical teachings concerning angels—what does the Bible tell us about angels,” Rev. Quast added.
“There’s a lot to be found in the Bible about angels.
“It was kind of a challenge because contemporary Western society doesn’t have any cohesive view regarding angels. It’s all over the map,” he remarked.
“So I am trying to synthesize some of the predominant views and teachings. You can find many, many others out there.”
To provide an example of a difference between the Biblical and the popular contemporary view of angels, Rev. Quast said it’s very common for angels to be depicted as feminine. Yet in the Bible, angels are not.
“Angels are actually, as the Bible tells it, spiritual and really neither male nor female,” he noted. “But whenever they do appear to human beings in the Bible, they always appear in a male form.
“It’s one of the things I find very interesting. It’s one of the reasons, when I talked to my publisher about the cover art, I had him find something more masculine.”
Rev. Quast said he’s tried to provide people with a basic education of what’s out there in terms of beliefs, as well as sum up some of the problems, from a church standpoint, that could be associated with some of the teachings.
“I find it very interesting that our society, as a whole, tends to be drifting further away from Christianity and yet embracing spirituality at all levels,” he remarked.
“When we look at the topic of angels, it provides a real strong point for us to come together and discuss them with each other because both sides of the map, if you will, believe in angels,” Rev. Quast continued.
“It’s a good reference point to start a dialogue with each other. . . .
“That’s what I’ve attempted to do with this book is provide some discussion points and help people with that.”
Rev. Quast explained the book is based on his master’s-level thesis from 2003 when he attended Concordia Lutheran Seminary in Edmonton, Alta., and a culmination of four years of post-secondary study.
He never thought the thesis would be published as a book, but then a friend of his from seminary, Jay Holdner, started up a publishing company, Today’s Reformation Press.
“He contacted me and asked me if I might be interested in having my book published through his agency, and I thought about it and said, ‘Yeah, sure. Why not? Let’s go for it’” he recalled.
“It’s taken a little while to get there,” he admitted. “He’s done most of the work at his end. He had to redo some things, and do a little bit more research and put some stuff together.
“But I think it turned out very well,” Rev. Quast added.
Despite its academic origins, Rev. Quast feels strongly that anyone could pick up his book and understand it.
“I don’t think it will be above anyone’s head at all. If nothing else, it might help some people sleep at night,” he chuckled.
Rev. Quast said the book is meant for everyone.
“Of course, I am writing from a Christian perspective as a Christian pastor, but I would think that anyone who has an interest in angels and the study of angels could find a lot of good things in here to help them better understand what angels are, what they do, and what they’re here for,” he said.
“I think it could appeal to a wide segment of our society, not just your regular church-attending Christians.
“Angels are real. They’re all around us,” Rev. Quast stressed. “Just because we don’t see them doesn’t mean that they’re not there.
“I think that the more we can know about them, and what God intends for them to do for us, it is very helpful for us,” he reasoned.
“There’s countless stories out there of people who have had angelic encounters and visitations, not just in the Bible,” he added. “So I think there’s a lot of proof out there for the skeptic as well as the believer to look at, to examine.”
Copies of the book can be purchased for $15 each from Rev. Quast by calling him at 274-8724.
He has sold almost 50 copies in the last month or so—and has received positive feedback.
“From the few that I’ve talked to who have [read it], they’ve been pretty pleased with it, as far as I know, and have enjoyed it.
“I hope that continues,” he smiled.
Rev. Quast will hold a book-signing later this year, but has not yet confirmed a date.
In the near future, the book will be available through his publisher’s website at todaysreformationpress.com.
Further down the road, Rev. Quast said it is possible he may write a companion book which focuses on fallen angels.
