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bb did say *seemingly*, indicating that that's what it appeared to her. She did not state it as absolute doctrine, or even claim that it was church doctrine, but that's what it seemed to her. More along the lines of an observation.

It's nice to know, dear sister in Christ, that some people (at least) read attentively. I put in that adverbial modifier "seemingly" to denote that I was only speaking from my own observation and experience, not as any kind of authority on church doctrine, let alone divine Truth.

Thank you so very much for the citations from scripture, which support my observation and moreover further inform its meaning, as I understand it.

If found your insight particularly interesting: "My understanding is that they [the created angels] only got to choose once and it was then. After that their fate was irrevocably sealed. I can't recall where I heard that, but that's the gist of it."

Possibly your source here is the Book of Enoch — which is not included in the corpus of the Holy Bible, but seems ought not to be denigrated on that score alone. (I'd ask Alamo-Girl for her insights here, but I know she's been a little "tied up" lately....)

It seems the angels had a decision to make and it was a one-time, eternally-binding choice. Perhaps God is more lenient in this regard with His human creatures. That is, they can "change their minds" about their decision for/against God, while angels never can, after having made the one choice, once, available to them.

Still, I find it difficult to understand how a human person, once deciding to live in Christ, would want to change his mind....

Maybe kosta might be a good source for illuminating this question???

It seems the angels had a decision to make and it was a one-time, eternally-binding choice. Perhaps God is more lenient in this regard with His human creatures.

I think we make a mistake when we think of angels along the same lines as humans. We are physical flesh that has a spirit within it until death. Angels aren't born, don't procreate and were created in the heavenly realm. IOW, I wouldn't use the argument for free will because angels were given the opportunity to choose to be for God or against God.

I put in that adverbial modifier "seemingly" to denote that I was only speaking from my own observation and experience, not as any kind of authority on church doctrine, let alone divine Truth

But you made a seemingly sweeping generalization that, unlike humans, angels were unfailingly programmed to obey God's will, which not what your Church believes; as for others who call themselves Christians, they make doctrine as they read the Bible so anything is possible.

Thank you so very much for the citations from scripture, which support my observation and moreover further inform its meaning, as I understand it.

I disagree. There was nothing in that Psalm that lends support to your generalization that seemingly all angels are obligate God's servants. It only mentions those who do obey God's will. There is a subtle but clear difference.

Still, I find it difficult to understand how a human person, once deciding to live in Christ, would want to change his mind....Maybe kosta might be a good source for illuminating this question???

Simple, one day he decides not to. It doesn't mean it's easy, or something on a whim, at least it wasn't for me. Maybe you should read Maybe you should Bart Ehrman's God's Problem, or watch the entertaining exposition of Julia Sweeney on "Letting Go of God."

In all instances, it is usually not a fun process because it is the ultimate existential subject. It's much easier to believe something that makes you feel good, even if in the back of your mind you know it's not true.