Angels and Men Agree, by Elfric of Eynsham

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BEFORE the advent of the Lord, Angels permitted mortal men to fall down before them, and after his advent they forbade it; because they saw that their Creator had taken upon himself that nature which they had before accounted weak, and dare not now despise it in us when they honour it above themselves in the heavenly King. Nor do they despise human fellowship, when they fall down to worship the God-made-man.*

Now we are accounted fellow-citizens of God, and alike to angels; let us, therefore, take care that sins do not separate us from this great dignity. Truly men are called gods;* preserve, therefore, O man, your godly dignity in the face of sin, since God became man for you.

by Elfric of Eynsham 955-1010

based on a translation by Benjamin Thorpe

From A Sermon on the Nativity, by Elfric of Eynsham (955-1010), adapted from a translation by Benjamin Thorpe (1782-1870).

Elfric’s point is perfectly summed up by poet Charles Wesley (1707-1788):

LET earth and Heaven combine,
Angels and men agree,
To praise in songs divine
The incarnate Deity,
Our God contracted to a span,
Incomprehensibly made man.

See Psalm 82:6.

Précis

Elfric explains that after Christ took human flesh the angels could no longer despise its weakness, because they felt obliged to honour in us what they worship in him. Nonetheless, Elfric warned us not to disappoint our new-found brethren among the angels by lowering ourselves in sin and forfeiting their respect.

Questions for Critics

1. What is the author aiming to achieve in writing this?

2. Note any words, devices or turns of phrase that strike you. How do they help the author communicate his ideas more effectively?

3. What impression does this passage make on you? How might you put that impression into words?

Based on The English Critic (1939) by NL Clay, drawing on The New Criticism: A Lecture Delivered at Columbia University, March 9, 1910, by J. E. Spingarn, Professor of Comparative Literature in Columbia University, USA.

Sevens

Suggest answers to this question. See if you can limit one answer to exactly seven words.

How did the angels’ estimation of mortals change from the Old Testament to the New?

Suggestion

They now honour what had seemed weak.

Jigsaws

Express the ideas below in a single sentence, using different words as much as possible. Do not be satisfied with the first answer you think of; think of several, and choose the best.

Angels thought mortals weak. Christ became mortal. The angels new respect mortals.

Précis

Questions for Critics

Sevens

Jigsaws

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