Angels and Demons: A Catholic Introduction (Thomistic Ressourcement Series)

by Serge-Thomas Bonino

Publisher:

The Catholic University of America Press

, 2016

Overview

Angels occupy a significant space in contemporary popular spirituality. Yet, today more than ever, the belief in the existence of intermediary spirits between the human and divine realms needs to be evangelized and Christianized. Angels and Demons offers a detailed synthesis of the givens of the Christian tradition concerning the angels and demons, as systematized in its essential principles by St. Thomas Aquinas. Certainly, the doctrine of angels and demons is not at the heart of Christian faith, but its place is far from negligible. On the one hand, as part of faith seeking understanding, angelology has been and can continue to be a source of enrichment for philosophy. Thus, reflection on the ontological constitution of the angel, on the modes of angelic knowledge, and on the nature of the sin of Satan can engage and shed light on the most fundamental areas of metaphysics, epistemology, and ethics. On the other hand, angelology, insofar as it is inseparable from the ensemble of the Christian mystery (from the doctrine of creation to the Christian understanding of the spiritual life), can be envisioned from an original and fruitful perspective.

Father Serge-Thomas Bonino is a renowned European theologian and highly regarded expert in Thomist thought, both philosophical and theological. He is the current Secretary of the International Theological Commission. To date very little of his work has been translated into English. This book is a comprehensive philosophical and theological investigation of angels and demons and is unquestionably the most comprehensive book on this neglected topic written since the Second Vatican Council.

Key Features

• Determines the content of the Christian faith relative to the angels
• Offers a comprehensive philosophical and theological investigation of angels and demons
• Uses Aquinas unequalled synthesis of the teaching of Scholastic theology on angels and demons

Contents

Part I. The Traditional Pacts and Their Interpretation

• Angels and Demons in the Old Testament
• Angels and Demons in the New Testament
• The Developments of Christian Angelology until St. Thomas Aquinas
• Do Angels Exist? How Is the Problem Framed Today? The Demystification of the World
• Do Angels Exist? How Is the Problem Framed Today? The Demystification of Revelation

Part 2. Angelic Nature

• The Metaphysical Status of the Angel
• The Natural Knowledge of the Angels
• The Affective Life of the Angels

Part 3. The Angelic Adventure

• Creation, Vocation, and Supernatural Happiness of the Angels
• How Angels Became Demons

Part 4. Angels and Demons in the History of Our Salvation

• Jesus Christ, Head of the Angels
• Celestial Hierarchies and Knowledge of the Mysteries of Salvation
• The Good Angels, "Ministering Spirits"
• The Enemy's Attacks

Praise for Angels and Demons

Students of angelology will be pleased, not only with the many footnotes that accompany the book, but also with the rich bibliography at the end of the text… Undoubtedly, his book will be a solid reference for not only theologians, priests, permanent deacons, and seminarians, but also for anyone who works in the apostolate. What's more, it will help not only educated people to discover their own true identity and the basis for their human dignity; but it will also provide a clear orientations and a solid foundation for making progress in the spiritual life.

Titus Kieninger ORC

In giving us a concise but penetrating analysis of St. Thomas’ use of Song of Songs through the use of a meticulous investigation of all the references, Fr. Bonino has given Thomistic scholarship a new method and a new impetus which promises to bare more fruits in the future.

European Journal for the Study of Thomas Aquinas

Product Details

• Title: Angels and Demons: A Catholic Introduction (Thomistic Ressourcement Series)
• Author: Serge-Thomas Bonino
• Series: Thomistic Ressourcement Series
• Publisher: The Catholic University of America Press
• Print Publication Date: 2016
• Logos Release Date: 2022
• Pages: 346
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Reader Edition
• Subjects: Thomas, Aquinas, Saint, 1225?–1274; Catholic Church—Doctrines; Angels—Christianity— History of doctrines; Demonology—History of doctrines
• ISBNs: 9780813227993, 0813227992
• Resource ID: LLS:NGLSDMNSNTRDCTN
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2024-11-19T22:32:26Z