For years, man has tried to capture angels through art. Wings, halos, robes and harps are among many of the angelic accessories depicted in paintings, sculpture and other media.

Music and television also paint a portrait of angels, sometimes as seemingly everyday people wandering the earth as friends, guardians and guides.

According to 2004 Gallup Polls, belief in angels is on the rise, 78 percent of Americans admitting belief in angels in 2004, up from 72 percent in 1994.

But are angels among us? Ron Shafer says yes.

An English literature professor by trade, Shafer has spent years studying the Bible and reading the works of biblical scholars in hopes of answering that and many other questions dealing with religion and spirituality.

Shafer will share his findings through a 10-week lecture series titled "Are Angels Among Us?" beginning next week at Westminster Presbyterian Church in America.

"The topic of angels is so hot in our culture, people want educated," said Shafer," who has also led lecture series about specific books in the Bible and other religious topics.

In his angel series, Shafer plans to show through biblical examples that angels are on earth in many forms doing the work of God.

He explained that his readings and studies have given him reason to believe past experiences where he felt lucky were possibly instances of divine intervention.

Though he has noted experience with angels in his own life, he is also careful not to jump to conclusions, hoping to avoid misconceptions.

One of those misconceptions is that all angels are working for God, which is not true according to Shafer's studies, which include fallen angels working against God.

Though fallen angels and the works of the devil are an important part of his teachings, Shafer describes the entire series as optimistic overall."I'll give my reasons why I think my reading makes sense," he said.Though held at a Presbyterian church, Shafer's series is open to participants of all faiths and beliefs. He said he welcomes debate and questions during each lecture.To encourage attendance, Shafer requests that his series be offered for free, with neither him nor the host church benefiting financially.In each series, however, one or two offerings is collected to benefit a charitable cause.Having led lecture series in several churches in Armstrong County, it took a year of planning before Shafer could make arrangements to come to Butler."People from distances were traveling to see him," said Ann McCaw who has attended past series in Kittanning.McCaw is one of several women who have worked to secure a facility and promote the series to a Butler audience."He is down to earth and easy to follow," noted Charlene Stevenson of Butler, who said she is looking forward to attending one of Shafer's series in her home church.As a professor at Indiana (Pa.) University, Shafer believes his talent for teaching is a gift from God, which allows him to reach a broad audience.Past audience members and fans agree, noting they have learned from him despite his lack of a professional education in the Bible."He's a consummate teacher," said one woman in the planning group. "He takes the gifts that God gave him and he uses them to glorify God."Though the planning group is looking forward to the entire 10-week program, they stress that participants should not feel obligated to attend every week if they have time conflicts."The more you hear him the more you want to hear him though," noted Marion Miller.Each lecture and discussion lasts 90 minutes, and Shafer distributes handouts of his notes to help the audience follow along.