What are Guardian Angels?

Answer 1

Guardian Angels are angels responsible for the protection and teaching of an individual. This is one of the many ideas that has come into Judaeo-Christian teaching from the Iranian religion Zoroastrianism. The concept is stronger in non-protestant Christian churches and reflects their greater reliance on pagan tradition. The Iranian influence continues to be evident in Jewish writings from what is known as the "inter-testamental" period, that is, after the last canonical book of the Old Testament and before Christianity and the composition of the New Testament. This covers an era between about 150 BCE to 100 CE. These Jewish inter-testamental writings describe a complicated hierarchy of angelic beings, in an echo of the Zoroastrian concept of the holy court of the Yazatas.

The Jewish idea of seven chief archangels probably has its inspiration in the seven Amesha Spentas, the highest guardian spirits of Zoroastrian belief. Jews had their own ideas of angels long before they encountered Zoroastrianism; angels were nameless, impersonal representatives of God's message and action. But after the Exile, Jewish angels gain names and personalities, and also are spoken of as guardians of various natural phenomena, just like the Zoroastrian yazatas.

The Jewish and Christian idea of a personal "guardian angel" may also have been inspired by the Zoroastrian figure of the fravashi, the divine guardian-spirit of each individual human being. The above is a quote from the site linked below. It has an extensive discussion on the Zoroastrian influence upon Judaism and Christianity.

Another answer from our community:

A Guardian Angel is a certain type of angel, Their are many types of Angels but a Guardian Angel is just one of the many! Their main job is to watch over you 24/7 and everyone has their own!

ANOTHER ANSWER:

Nowhere in the Bible is the term "guardian angel." The Bible does refer to angels as "ministering spirits," however, from which the term guardian angel may have derived, since most folks tend to think in physical terms, even regarding spiritual things.

"...angels... Are they not ALL MINISTERING SPIRITS, sent forth to minister FOR THEM WHO SHALL HE HEIRS OF SALVATION?" (Heb.1:13-14 KJV)

According to Scripture, the Word of God was "inspired" by God... and delivered to the inspired ones by His "ministering spirits." And all who profess God's Word are obliged to read and heed the message provided therein; as the context of the end of Hebrews 1st chapter [above] continues in the 2nd:

"So we must listen very carefully to the Truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it. The Message God delivered through angels [God's ministering spirits] has always proved True, and the people were punished for every violation of the Law and every act of disobedience. What makes us think that we can escape if we are indifferent to this great Salvation that was announced by the LORD Jesus Himself? It was passed on to us by those who heard Him speak, and God verified the Message by signs and wonders and various miracles and by giving gifts of the Holy Spirit whenever He chose to do so. AND FURTHERMORE, the FUTURE WORLD WE ARE TALKING ABOUT WILL NOT BE CONTROLLED BY ANGELS..." (Heb.2:1-5 NLTNew Living Translation)

God's ministering spirits [if we want to call them "guardian angels?" - sobeit. Just know that the term was never inspired as such] are actively at work in the spirits of those God has chosen for Salvation, opening their minds and hearts to the mind-blowing Hope and reality of His Truth, recorded in the Bible.

But also know that this world in which we live [and not the world to come - see the Scripture above] is presently inhabited by "the angels that sinned" [II Peter 2:4] that pose as the legitimate "ministering spirits" of God; leading men astray from God's Truth [perhaps even passing themselves off as things that God never inspired like "guardian" angels?]

"For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And not marvel; FOR SATAN HIMSELF IS TRANSFORMED INTO AN ANGEL OF LIGHT. Therefore it is no great thing if HIS MINISTERS also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works." (II Cor.11:13-15 KJV)

Angels exist. Ministering spirits exist, according to the Truth of God's Word. But the term "guardian angels" was neither coined nor inspired by God in the Bible.

Answer 2

A Guardian Angels role is to guide and protect a particular person or group. It is believed that Guardian Angels pray for the person they were sent to protect. The belief of Guardian Angels started in the 5th century.

Answer 3

We cannot know their names while in the flesh, unless they reveal themselves to us, such as St. Raphael did to Tobiah in the Old Testament. We will only know them upon death. We are NOT to assign names to them.

Answer 4

Catholics and some other Christians believe guardian angels are angels assigned to care for an individual human and keep him or her from harm. Their existence comes down to faith even more than some other traditions. Take it one step at a time:

1. If God is omniscient, there is no reason for guardian angels to exist. They would not perform a function that God could not do easily.
2. The term 'guardian angel' is not found anywhere in The Bible, so there is no scriptural evidence that they are real.
3. If God exists, there may be angels but there is still no evidence that guardian angels exist.
4. If God does not exist, guardian angels are most unlikely to exist.
5. There is no proof that God exists.
6. Therefore, on multiple levels, the likelihood of guardian angel being real is about zero.
   

Answer 5

Catholics and some other Christians believe guardian angels are angels assigned to care for an individual human and keep him or her from harm. Their existence comes down to faith even more than some other traditions. Take it one step at a time:

1. If God is omniscient, there is no reason for guardian angels to exist. They would not perform a function that God could not do easily.
2. The term 'guardian angel' is not found anywhere in the Bible, so there is no scriptural evidence that they are real.
3. If God exists, there may be angels but there is still no evidence that guardian angels exist.
4. If God does not exist, guardian angels are most unlikely to exist.
5. There is no proof that God exists.
6. Therefore, on multiple levels, the likelihood of guardian angel being real is about zero.