Table Of ContentContents Preface ix Acknowledgments xiii Introduction xv Part 1 Sacred Scripture Chapter 1: Pentateuch and Historical Books 3 Chapter 2: Wisdom Books 18 Chapter 3: Isaiah the Prophet 25 Chapter 4: New Testament 29 Conclusion 55 Part 2 Angels Chapter 5: Development of Angels in the Christian Tradition 59 Chapter 6: Angels and Christ's Ministry: A Theology 71 Chapter 7: Souls: Immortality or Eternal Life? 80 Conclusion 103 Part 3 The Diabolical World Chapter 8: Satan, the Devil, and Lucifer 107 Chapter 9: Dealing with the Devil 122 Chapter 10: The Occult 127 Chapter 11: Satan's Activities 134 Chapter 12: Neo-paganism 147 Conclusion 161 Notes 163 Bibliography 174 Further Reading 177 Scripture Index 179
SynopsisThe supernatural world is prominent in many of today's movies, television shows, novels, and the popular imagination. But some of what is presented as grounded in a Christian worldview is in fact far from that. In Angels and Demons, Michael Patella, OSB, offers an accessible and fascinating look at supernatural realities as they really are presented in the Bible and Christian tradition. Among the topics Patella explores with a valuable combination of pastoral wisdom and academic rigor are: the role of angels in the ministry of Jesus the apocalyptic battle in Revelation the occult, possession, and the work of Satan what angels are and what they're not the Last Judgment: how? when? Readers will appreciate Patella's level-headed appraisal of the views of the supernatural world in the various sections of the Bible. They will be engaged by his lucid account of "Who's Who in Hell." They will be both comforted and inspired by his foundational conviction that Christ has claimed creation for the forces of good, evil is on the run, and there is no chance of the tide ever turning the other way, evil actions and human suffering notwithstanding.