Angels Watching Over Me: Rieder’s Children’s Book Re-visited
Posted on 11. Jul, 2008 by admin in HMH Articles
The Bible is filled with accounts of angels, in which they were usually doing one of three things: executing God’s judgment, ministering to the righteous and/or providing protection as instructed by our Heavenly Father.
In the Old Testament, we find two wonderful accounts of angels ministering to the righteous. Both are found in the Book of Daniel. In the third chapter of Daniel, the three Hebrew men, who were cast into the fiery furnace are delivered by the Angel of the Lord. Their faith in God was rewarded and was a witness to the world. In Daniel 3:28, Nebuchadnezzar declares,
“Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent His angel and delivered His servants who put their trust in Him.”
Daniel is saved from the mouths of the lions in the den by angels sent on his behalf. In Daniel 6:22, Daniel proclaims,
“My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths, and they have not harmed me… I have committed no crime.”
In these specific instances both accounts are testaments of God’s grace and mercy utilizing angels as instruments of divine protection for His faithful.
There are examples of the role they play in other instances too. In the New Testament, Jesus receives the benefits of being ministered to by His angels after his 40 day fast and temptation by Satan. In Acts 5:19 and 20, the angel of the Lord opens prison doors so the apostles could be released. Another comes to Peter’s aid while he while imprisoned (Acts 12:7). Other examples of celestial beings ministering to the children of God can be found in Genesis 16:7, 1 Kings 19:5, and John 5:4.
By virtue of His everlasting kindness and goodness, His Word assures all believers, male, female, adult and child today of the assistance of angels. Psalms 91:11 reveals,
“He will give His angels charge concerning you, to guard you in all your ways.”
Hebrews 1:14, tells us,
“Are they not all ministering spirits, sent out to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation?”
No doubt, there is a promise of angelic protection for the believer. Psalm 34:7 declares,
“The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them”.
However, in matters of faith we find that being faithful does not always equate to not experiencing hardship, affliction or even death. The blood of martyred apostles and Christians is proof enough that God’s sovereign will does not fit our God boxes that seek to explain biblical truths and principles. Obedience does not always translate in our desired results. Some things we simply do trusting the Almighty will have His way in our lives.
There are many nuances, layers and complexities that would take volumes to try to explain these matters, however, it would would be futile in trying to explain the mind of our infinite God. And yet His desire is simple… If ye love me, obey my commandments.
This being said, we have a responsibility to rightly divide the Word in explaining matters of faith, obedience, the role of angels and God’s sovereign Will in the Church and especially, in our homes with our children.
What’s the point? What does this have to do with Holy Hair doctrine?
Ruth Reider, author of Power Before the Throne, has written various children’s books. Primarily in effort to teaching modesty and holiness standards to our children she authored a series of books entitled Kingdom Kids . One of her books in the series, Angels Watching Over Me, deals with issue of obedience and the role of angels which she links to power in hair because of the angels and protection linked to uncut hair.
The following is a synopsis of this book from her website, PositivePowerofHoliness.com
Do you have “Angels Watching Over You”?
Another morning of getting ready for school becomes very exciting as Miriam learns many wonderful things about being a King’s Kid. She discovers how the armor of God and her uncut hair protects her every day. Find out how special every boy and girl is when they are one of God’s kids.
The mere statement that uncut hair provides an additional angelic protection to the armor of God should raise eyebrows and spark concern about adding to the Word.
One believer, Ms. Justine Fischbach, who reviewed this book shares the following alarming findings:
In this book Mom Rieder explains the wonderful and enlightening “truths” of long hair to her youngest daughter. After prayer that her daughter will put on the armor of God and be protected she then goes on to explain that her uncut hair “creates a covering of safety for us and our families” (p14). She has power on her head because of the angels; this means there are big strong angels watching over her all the time (p15).Well, it’s bad luck for the little boys then, seeing as they don’t have this power on their head; I guess there’s no one watching over them. Rieder goes on to explain that because of these angels “nothing can come close to harm you at any time when you are in the will of God” (p17), implying that if harm does come to you in the form of illness, accident, whatever you just are not in the Will of God! Those apostles and first martyred Christians must have really been off track.
Rieder goes on to say that her light is continually shining for Jesus when her school friends see her uncut hair. Well I guess they just fall to the floor in repentance when they see those split ends. Who could resist?
Then comes the issue of men’s hair, has to be short as Corinthians says. Rieder’s daughter admits she always has to laugh at men with long hair and thinks they are silly (not the hair, but the men themselves!). Mom explains that “God makes her feel that way”. Once again we see Christ’s love shining through. That a small child can mock adults in this way is such a great testimony for God and His Word wouldn’t you agree?
This blogger, would like to submit the following questions to the discussion about the validity and effects of taking this extrabiblical approach to teaching about hair and bible based holiness.
As a Church who loves the Truth and defends old paths, we must ask ourselves if the assertions in this book were taught by the first century apostolic Church. If so, why do we not find multiple examples of this type of teaching in canon or historical accounts?
Can a book like this bring about confusion as to whether it is length of hair or obedience that God desires in the life of the believer?
Is the armor of God enough? Does long hair provide a rear guard of protection as some proponents of this doctrine believe?
Do females have an additional assignment of angels because of her hair? Are boys/males shortchanged? Do they walk in a unique spiritual realm as taught by some? Do they have a power and authority that men do not have as one preacher asserts.
Do we still have God’s protection even when there are elements in our lives that don’t please God? Is the focus on faith and subsequent obedience or on an object and/or one act of obedience?
Is this power because of the angels or is it from God? Is this in addition to the power and authority of His Spirit and His Name?
Can this lead to frustration in the life of believer, especially when things go seemingly awry?
How would a child interpret this book?
Colossians 2 admonishes us:
18 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,
19 And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.
20 Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,
21 (Touch not; taste not; handle not;
22 Which all are to perish with the using after the commandments and doctrines of men?
