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

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If the devil is pure spirit, how is he able to physically hurt people? One example is Padre Pio. The devil would turn him black and blue and constantly beat him up physically.
 
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We do not know.
Perhaps the power of the imagination is greater tha we realise.

If hypnotists can cause skin to show writing or blisters by suggesting a touch from something cool is actually red hot then why not effects similar to bruising during a vision in the mind.

I have never been able to verify if hypnotists can cause writing or blisters though.
 
God is pure spirit, but it’s certainly within His ability to do such things. So, I think it’s fair to say that being pure spirit wouldn’t be what (if anything) prohibits a spirit from acting in the physical world in such a way.
 
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Then they would be human.
A spirit that by its nature “moves” matter is better known as a soul. ☺️
 
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@CatholicHere_Hi

Yes,angles are pure spirits but they can take human form ,they are not imaginations, When angels or devils appear to men, they assume human form or some other visible shape. Thus the angels that appeared to the Blessed Virgin and to Zachary assumed human form. The devil that tempted Eve appeared as a serpent.

Even demons are pure spirits. They were angels before they became devils.The word “angel” means messenger, and angels have often been sent by God to make known His will to men. Even the devils do service to God, since God always turns the attacks of the devil to show forth more brightly His own glory.

The angel Raphael accompanied Tobias on his journey. The angel Gabriel was sent to the Blessed Virgin Mary at the Annunciation. Angels appeared to the shepherds at the Nativity. An angel was sent to St. Joseph after the departure of the Magi, and after the death of Herod. Angels appeared to the women at Christ’s sepulcher, and to Mary Magdalene.

Certain angels have special charge of nations, communities, churches, etc.Our Lord Himself several times spoke of angels; especially the guardian angels.
 
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How does this book compare with Peter Kreefts book of the same name?

Dr Peter Kreeft states in his book that 95% of what he has written about angels came from St Thomas Aquinas’ ideas about the angels.

Is there anything new which is true in the book you link to?

Serious question, because a lot has been written about angels by people who know no more about them than I do frankly.
 
@Lee1, I’ve not read the book you are referring to. Dr. Bonino does pull alot from Aquinas, but then, I think many authors do. He does draw from more than Acquinas, though. There might be little difference between the two except in the way information is presented. It’s been about a year since I read the text, and not having read Dr. Kreefts book for comparison makes me a poor resource to compare the two.

Someone in the reviews indicated this would be an excellent undergraduate book, but it seems more like a text for graduate level or seminarians. I have a PhD, so I’m used to reading dense material. This definitely was a dense text by Dr. Bonino!
 
Ah. Thank you.
Dr Kreefts book is very light reading indeed, which is good too since that makes it accessible to everyone.

I ask because I am wary of these types of books generally speaking. There has been such a huge market on the subject of angels that every man and woman and her dog has written on the subject. Naturally that’s because it’s such an interesting subject!

Thank you, at least between us we have publicised three books which may be helpful to a wide audience. 🙂
 
I just ordered Dr. Kreeft’s text. Thanks for mentioning it in the thread! Even if it is a repeat of the other text in areas, repetition is always good for deep learning!
 
Francis said:
Certain angels have special charge of nations, communities, churches,"
Click to expand...
The same popular thinking of the time also held that what we now know as the planets were literally “heavenly bodies” each ensouled by an angel/god which moved them in perfect circles. As they move (each attached to one of the 7 or so clear,concentric crystal spheres) they generate ethereal music that only the holy can hear on a quiet evening in prayer.
Do you accept that also?
 
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Sophie111 said:
Magisterial source please?
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I’m not sure if this assists, but both Lee1 and I cite texts that draw upon St. Aquinas’s (as well as other) works on angels. This might not be what you consider magisterial sources, though. If not, I apologize for my mistakenness.
 
Aquinas is definitely a weighty opinion even if not Magisterial. I saw no direct references above?
 
The book you want is “ All About The Angels “
By Fr. Paul O’Sullivan O.P
Buy that - then read along with it on YouTube.
Someone on YouTube recites it - perfectly.
Not to be negative, but Kreeft - isn’t that good - imo -
 
Magisterial source please?
[/quote]

Which part are you referring to,
That angels are pure spirit?
That they can take human form?
Or that they are not imaginations?
 
I have that book. I completely forgot about it! I never got around to reading it, but I will definitely read it based on your recommendation. I (finally) found it in my wife’s sun room/office/reading room. The book I cite above is so dense. Thumbing through All about the Angels reveals a relatively quick read. Thanks for mentioning it!
 
The text I cite is Angels and Demons: A Catholic Introduction. I have a link to the text in post #7.
 
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