If the devil is pure spirit, how is he able to physically hurt people?

[jvickers]

This is all from the text I reference in post #7, so some of it is probably Aquinas since the text draws a lot from Aquinas and his interpretation of the Bible. @Lee1pointed out the instances in the Bible I was speaking of.

 

[Sophie111]

So as I originally noted, no direct links to what Aquinas actually said. Nevermind.

 

[jvickers]

Sorry, no direct links. Your inquiry has prompted me to purchase something by Aquinas, though. To date, I’ve relied on secondary and tertiary reports of what he said. I purchased a Short Summa. I’m sure that’s just the tip of the iceberg, though!

 

[Seagull]

(Please Note: This uploaded content is no longer available.)

I love this quote - I have it taped, behind my bed, on the wall.

 

[KevinK]

And a lot of so-called “mentally ill” are people who are actually possessed…

What is your evidence for this assertion?

 

[commenter]

The “popular thinking of the time”, which you disparage, also held families to be important.
Does that prove them unimportant?

 

[Sophie111]

The “popular thinking of the time”, which you disparage,

Please quote me where you believe I “disparage” the ancient cosmology?

I thought I was observing inconsistencies…of which Geocentrism was a major one that even the Church was very late to let go of. Do you disagree? Does the Church now “disparage” the Geocentric model in doing so…I dont think so.

 

[Francis]

???
The issue is whether the Church mainstream teaches that angels can assume bodies.

I do not believe it does. There are alternative explanations for the Biblical passages that appear to require this.

However it is acceptable to personally hold to the assumption hypothesis.

sorry if you missed the point, it was also about Angles are pure spirits and mentioned in Scripture ,taking human form at various times throughout the Scriptures ,for God everything is possible right! how and why it’s done is not for us to know ,but ,as mention above, it has been done on many occasions as the word of God testifies, which is a fact!. the issue is Angles though being pure spirits effect matter or the Physical, as this is the op’s concern. They are not personal assumptions nor what you or i believe or not.

 

[Sophie111]

If you are wanting to respond to me then regardless of the thread topic my comments are only about whether the Church teaches that angels assume human bodies.

It teaches no such thing but does tolerate a variety of contradictory positions.

If you wish to advance that your position is the only allowed position for Catholics you should easily be able to find a clear Magisterial doctrine on the matter or same in the Catechism. I do not believe such a doctrine exists.
Do come back if you find one.

Therefore, though the the OT appears to necessitate your view the Church does not require believers to literally believe that bodies were assumed by angels. Nor must we literally accept that Jonah survived in a whale for 3 days.