"Pulling the Wings of Angels" by K.J. Parker

Even though born into a family with riches, the narrator has found himself put in a financial situation where he’s following a thug named Florio to the great rumored angel kept locked in a secret location. Our narrator discovers not only that the rumor is true -there is an angel- and his grandfather is responsible; but he is told that the sin which placed the angel there is on our narrator’s hand. As the reader has the question of just how the angel’s situation is justly the sin of the narrator’s as it was in fact his grandfather who put the angel in the cell which is blocking the sight of their god.?

Who made the jail and how did the designer come up with the workable idea? How did the riches belonging to the narrator’s grandfather come about as he was a child born in a jailcell and raised by the jail’s guards? Most importantly, how, as a failing student of the divine word as a seminary student, did he come to the point where his actions made him a sinner now face-to-face with an imprisoned angel with broken wings?

These questions and more are answered as the narrator shows how individual actions can be corrected by those who makes the effort to avoid justified judgment by their law maker and ruler. The thing which Parker writes and the purpose of this small story is to make the reader question the devotion and commitment of society to their god—is he worthy?

Parker does guide us to question the character of the force we individually serve and are willing to act on our understanding of what is sensible even if our leader is heading in the direction which is opposite of their promises. The god of this story presents a valid question for the god Earthlings today call Yahweh (who could be known as Enlil) as this being’s leadership is always being questioned by critical philosophers. In “Pulling the Wings off Angels” the god makes himself an epiphany in order to communicate with the narrator. A decision must be made which affects the world—especially the identified characters of this story. Once the last page is turned, readers are left considering the question exactly how much power does a follower have over their god and could their disbelief actually kill the one appointed as their “supernatural?”

This is the empowerment of Wings. The reader is allowed to imagine what if information and knowledge was shared which demonstrates Truth and facts of reasoning that shows just how natural their supernatural deity is. How can one deny truth that a sitting god is a manipulator playing nothing more than a small-town deputy impersonating an FBI agent. That’s the question I once wrestled with myself. Though I’ve made the choice, reading Parker’s take on the matter brought more questions about my personal decision than reassurance from having strength in numbers.

Mostly, I took away a knowing that organized religions must be disorganized and hopefully reorganized for autonomous empowerment of its members. Only from critically reading works such as Parker’s Wings can any member of organizations, dedicated to Yahweh (father if Yeshua,) receive the safe space to consider Yahweh dying like Parker’s god. Is it disbelief that’s required to kill an entity who demands an unquestioned belief. Listeners of said god hear how the only requirement for eternal salvation from the same self-presented authority god is belief in the presenter, by the presenter, for the “loving” presenter.

The thing I loved most about this story is not the manner in which this question is presented but that it reinforces Jesus, Sun of Man, teachings regarding watching a duck: if it quacks like a duck, fly like a duck, swim like a duck then it is logical and emotional to surmise that you are witnessing a duck. Jesus even ask about Yahweh’s choice to send “serpents” when food was being requested. Throughout the ministry of Jesus, we are told what Parker is showing.?

What can be done if the Sun of Man is believed, that Yahweh can be call on his bluff? Parker shows us this possibility and what could happen if we trust and stand behind a Jesus stronghold.

Overall, this story is a good starting point for those holding questioning beliefs of a great god without an equal; yet displays characteristics more limited in nature than an advance Creator who holds an inventor’s devotion for their completed idea. If a story, beyond the Holy Bible, empowers by showing the events experienced by its heroes -including thoughts and deeds- then the author is as needed as a great Christian spiritual life coach, and Parker’s compact life assessment will do.

Wings is an outline of a life story showing how the un-named protagonist discover himself, question his tasks and missions assigned to his spirit, then comes to the natural questioning of the power of his soul while playing the Game of Life as an embodied entity.

Is there more to living than what’s collectively known; and exactly what would happen to the collective, if that “more” was not only shared, but explained in childlike comprehension? I was more than pleased with the manner Wings forced this issue; as a follower of Jesus, Sun of Man, a professional Christian spiritual life coach, and a published fantasy author. This lightweight book should be required reading of all seeking to break free from religious high-jacking of the current monotheist organizations known as Yahweh’s blessings.

Be Blessed and Stay Strong

Sabrina Louise Holloway