How many angels can fit on the head of a pin?

[Mike_Dye]

I wonder if i could beat an angel in an arm wrestle

If you are human and an angel assumes a human body that would equate angel power to what one human’s power would be and wanted to arm wrestle, all of humanity could not come up with enough strength to match one angel. They are God’s fierce warrior’s. I pray for them to surround me.

 

[itinerant1]

Someone teaching the 4 pillars class on Creed was talking about angels and “things unseen.”

She went on to say that in the Middle Ages, theologians fought about the answer to the question “How many angels can fit on the head of a pin?” (Yes, I’ve also heard the expression as “How many angels can dance on the point of a sharp needle?”)

Then she said The Church agreed on a specific number.

Really? Has anyone else heard of this?

I thought that in the Middle Ages, it was St. Thomas Aquinas dealing with the crazy questions because non-Christian philosophers were trying to “prove” the existence or non-existence of God buy debunking the old “Take it on faith” policy and use reason & logic. I am hoping Aquinas gave the answer as “an infinite number” since we can’t put human limits and qualifiers on the spiritual realm. But now I’m confused since the instructor of this class seems to think there is an actual number. HELP!!!

And since it is a class, I’ll need references, please.

There is absoloutely no evidence to support the idea that theologians, or anyone else, in the Middle Ages argued about how many angels can dance on the head of pin. Neither the Church, Aquinas, or any other theologian adressed such a silly question. Whoever is teaching the class on the Creed has no idea what she is talking about. The assertion that such as question was debated by theologians is a modern myth designed to discredit Catholic higher education in the Middle Ages.

 

[nancy_dalrymple]

There is absoloutely no evidence to support the idea that theologians, or anyone else, in the Middle Ages argued about how many angels can dance on the head of pin. Neither the Church, Aquinas, or any other theologian adressed such a silly question. Whoever is teaching the class on the Creed has no idea what she is talking about. The assertion that such as question was debated by theologians is a modern myth designed to discredit Catholic higher education in the Middle Ages.

The answer is 10 to the 25th power can angels fit on the point of a pin. Love of Christ Nancy. In the middle ages they didn’t have the calculous they have today(electroinc)

 

[rtibs]

To the OP, you might find sensible answers from an original article of Karl Loren entitled just that “How many angels can fit on the head of a pin?” I had a merry time reading through the answers of our forum members, answers bordering on the hilarious, ridiculous and serious. ROTFL. I mean, answers like “the only thing you’ll find dancing on the head of a pin is bacteria”, “angels have more important things to do and not mixed in with bacteria”, “wonder if you could beat an angel in an arm wrestle”, “how friendly are they”, “what if angels from another pin attempt to engage in melee combat?”, to “why would you need angels on a head of the pin?” ROTFL. It made my day! This is not to say that the question was taken lightly. A good many intellectuals since the time of Thomas Aquinas were involved in this mental exercise which for me only shows to what extent the human mind can go when challenged. The good thing with the question is the wealth of information that came out which is a welcome development in this forum. God bless you guys!

 

[Ghoti]

What if angels from another pin attempt to engage in melee combat?

All I know is that if two or more angels are on the head of a pin, one angel moving off will provoke an attack of opportunity.

 

[Ghoti]

The question is interesting because ALL theological questions can be reduced to “How many angels can dance on the head of a pin”. As this thread shows, you can make up whatever answer you like without any risk of being incorrect. Which of course is also true for any other theological question.

In other words: it is all just make believe.

Thanks for that.

I hadn’t had my daily cup of condescension for the day.

 

[nancy_dalrymple]

To the OP, you might find sensible answers from an original article of Karl Loren entitled just that “How many angels can fit on the head of a pin?” I had a merry time reading through the answers of our forum members, answers bordering on the hilarious, ridiculous and serious. ROTFL. I mean, answers like “the only thing you’ll find dancing on the head of a pin is bacteria”, “angels have more important things to do and not mixed in with bacteria”, “wonder if you could beat an angel in an arm wrestle”, “how friendly are they”, “what if angels from another pin attempt to engage in melee combat?”, to “why would you need angels on a head of the pin?” ROTFL. It made my day! This is not to say that the question was taken lightly. A good many intellectuals since the time of Thomas Aquinas were involved in this mental exercise which for me only shows to what extent the human mind can go when challenged. The good thing with the question is the wealth of information that came out which is a welcome development in this forum. God bless you guys!

Welcome rtibs to CAF, I hope you have a wonderful stay and that you do just that, Stay! You are Loved Love of Chrsit Nancy