Search

Catholic doctrine and practice concerning Mary are discussed, with a focus on historical development. Topics include early lines of development, the Council of Ephesus in 411, the rise of Mariology in the 16th century, the Second Vatican Council and contemporary developments.

Christians can evaluate sacred texts by several criteria. This include identifying the text's genre, examining the work's central metaphors for God, locating the scriptural orientation of the book, understanding the style of life to which the text is addressed, identifying the deficiencies, and determining if the text enriches Christian life.

The question of the reality of Satan involves questions of angelic character and evil's nature. The human imagination constructs imagery of the devil, leading to personification. The traditional interpretation makes Satan a personal force, but this does not excuse human responsibility. What can be known for sure is that evil exists and that it can manifest in the actions of an individual human being.

Focuses on Satan. Traditional understanding of Satan; Personalization of the power of evil through the Lord's Prayer; Connection of the nature of evil and the character of an angel; Images of Satan; Satan and the damned; Reality of Satan.