Have you ever read the Gospel account of the Incarnation?
Probably, but you've obviously not appreciated it.
Was the angel Gabriel (that's right, they have names) an obstacle between man and God or an intermediary? How did the work of our salvation begin? Through the message of an angel, of course! If there were no other references to angels in all of Scripture, this event by itself should clue you in to their importance. It was an angelic messenger that announced God's favor to man in the form of his Incarnate Son.
This is what Calvinism does for you, friend. It's joyless misery paralyzes you and deprives you of the ability to embrace and appreciate God's messengers whom he sends to assist us in our need.
Like the co-reedemer, Mary? Or the minister who is "another Christ?"
No, thanks. I'll stick with Jesus Christ alone and the Gospel message in Scripture.
But you are half-right. A deeper understanding of Biblical Christianity, which can be called Calvinism, does prevent me from recognizing anyone as a mediator between God and men but Christ Jesus.
For that, I am eternally grateful...and most joyful.
Intermediary. Another angel also has a name, or should I say he has many & he should be rightfully put down as an obstacle between man & God, a big one.
How did the work of our salvation begin? Through the message of an angel, of course!
Did it begin with the message or did it begin with that which was contained in the message? Was Gabriel bringing news of something he was going to do or was he bringing news of something God was going to do?
If there were no other references to angels in all of Scripture, this event by itself should clue you in to their importance.
An announcement of an event is of far less importance than the event itself.
It was an angelic messenger that announced God's favor to man in the form of his Incarnate Son.
Is the message the messenger? If man hadn't screwed up so bad in the first place, by taking the word of an angel over the word of the Lord...