Creatures
His Holiness Pope Shenouda III speaks in this lecture about creatures from a theological and spiritual perspective, explaining that everything other than God is created, whether humans, angels, or material things. He distinguishes between material and spiritual creation, and between beings that have only a body and those that have spirit, mind, and will.
Types of Creation
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Matter: Inanimate creation without will or feeling, moving by the natural laws set by God, such as the movement of the earth and planets.
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Animals: Have body and soul—life, sensation, and limited will—but no immortal spirit.
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Angels: Spiritual beings created as fiery spirits and ministers of God, as mentioned in Psalms and Hebrews. They do not reproduce and live in perfect obedience to God.
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Humans: Combine body, soul, and spirit; rational, free beings with will and conscience, created in the image and likeness of God because God Himself is rational, spiritual, and free.
Freedom and Responsibility
Pope Shenouda emphasizes that God granted humanity freedom along with responsibility. Freedom is a divine gift that made man like God, but it requires accountability for its use. God valued freedom so much that He was willing to incarnate and die because of man’s misuse of it.
Angels and Their Orders
He explains the angelic ranks:
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Seraphim: Burning with fire, symbolizing divine love and continuous praise.
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Cherubim: Symbolize knowledge, but some fell through pride—like Satan.
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Thrones: Symbolize God’s dwelling and glory, and none were mentioned as fallen.
Angels are known for complete and instant obedience to God’s will, without delay or discussion, whether in mercy, punishment, or service—they act immediately “at the voice of His word.”
Spiritual Lessons
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Humans are called to live like heavenly beings, in purity, obedience, and readiness to fulfill God’s will.
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True spiritual life is when the body submits to the spirit and the spirit submits to the Spirit of God, making man angel-like in holiness and unity with God.
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Pride leads to downfall, but divine love endures forever.
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