The idea of Angelology, a science of angels, might be a provocative idea to many sceptics. Yet numerous people have had experiences of divine guiding presences, and believe in them. What are angels? And how can we bring a knowledge of angels and modern science together?
According to the medieval mystics, Angels and Celestial Intelligences are a succession of powers and principles operating between the Divine first Principle of all, and the ultimate effects expressed in nature. They serve as messengers and mediators between God and creation, and guide people interiorly and telepathically if invited.
There are some intriguing ideas emerging from dialogues between mystics and scientists today, which give a new spin on the topic from the perspective of quantum science.
In their book The Physics of Angels: Exploring the Realm Where Science and Spirit Meet (2014) theologian Matthew Fox and biologist Rupert Sheldrake explore the intersection and parallels between Christian mysticism and modern science through a series of dialogues. Here are a few of their ideas:
Integrating Spiritual and Scientific Worldviews: The authors challenge the traditional divide between science and spirituality. They argue that quantum science is increasingly open to mystery, interconnection, and non-material realities, making room for dialogue with mystical and theological traditions.
They explore Angels both theologically and scientifically. Matthew brings in insights from Christian mystics like Dionysius the Areopagite, Hildegard of Bingen, Thomas Aquinas, and Teilhard de Chardin. While Rupert examines how concepts like fields, morphic resonance, and quantum nonlocality might correspond to, or resonate with, the nature of angelic beings. Angels are presented as symbols of consciousness, spiritual presence, and intermediaries between layered dimensions.
Non-Material Forms of Presence: Rupert discusses how modern physics and biology point toward the existence of fields and forms of influence that are not reducible to material mechanisms, suggesting ways to understand angels as non-material yet real presences. This includes ideas like gravitational fields, electromagnetic fields, and morphic fields, and echoes scientific notions of nested systems or levels of complexity.
Reimagining the Cosmos as Alive: A key theme in their book is the revival of the idea that the cosmos is not dead or mechanistic, but alive, interconnected, and participatory. This is echoed both in mystical cosmologies and in the implications of systems theory, chaos theory, and quantum physics.
Mystical Experience and Intuition: Matthew emphasizes the experiential aspect of mysticism, how encounters with angels and divine presences are known through mystical experiences and intuition, and have shaped the spiritual journeys of mystics. The book supports the value of intuition, imagination, and contemplative insight as valid ways of knowing.
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If you are interested in exploring the interconnections between different fields of reality, and ways of knowing, such as mysticism and science, join the conversation at the 2025 Fintry Trust Summer School As Above, So Below: The Wisdom of Integral Science, where Matthew Fox will be talking about his book The Physics of Angels: Exploring the Realm where Science & Spirit Meet. 2025 Fintry Trust Summer School 3 day immersive retreat at Fintry 17th-20th July 2025 Learn more and register The Physics of Angels with Matthew Fox Online talk Friday 18th July 19:30 – 21:00 Learn more and register
