Guardian Angel
Charles Buck Theological Dictionary [1]
"Some, " says Dr. Doddridge, "have thought, that not only every region but every man has some particular angel assigned him as a guardian, whose business it is generally to watch over that country or person; for this opinion they urge Matthew 18:10 . Acts 12:15 . But the argument from both these places is evidently precarious; and it seems difficult to reconcile the supposition of such a continued attendance with what is said of the stated residence of these angels in heaven, and with Hebrews 1:14 , where all the angels are represented as ministering to the heirs of salvation: though, as there is great reason to believe the number of heavenly spirits is vastly superior to that of men upon earth, it is not improbable that they may, as it were, relieve each other, and in their turns perform these condescending services to those whom the Lord of Angels has been pleased to redeem with his own blood; but we must confess that our knowledge of the laws and orders of those celestial beings is very limited, and consequently that it is the part of humility to avoid dogmatical determinations on such heads as these."
See ANGEL; and Doddridge's Lectures, lect. 212.
Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature [2]
a term which represents a theory prevalent from antiquity, that human beings are accompanied through life by a special supernatural being (sometimes termed their "attendant genius"), who watches over them for guidance and protection. Such has been thought to be the meaning of Socrates when he claimed a particular Δαίμων as his spiritual counsellor. (See Daemon). Among Christian writers 'the theory has been thought to derive confirmation from the statement of our Saviour respecting children, that "in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven" ( Matthew 18:10); and from the declaration that angels "are all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation" ( Hebrews 1:14). A more cautious criticism, however, has usually held that these passages only indicate a special care of divine Providence over the young and believers; and the peculiar form of the doctrine referred to appears to savor rather of a pagan than an evangelical origin. Monographs are named in Walch, Bibliotheca Theologica, i, 178, and Volbeding, Index Programmatum, p. 116. (See Angel).
