See below for the links to the audio recording of my talks given in the parish.
Talk 1a - The nature of Angels
Angels and Demons, the Natural and Supernatural
Natural
vs Supernatural
Natural That which is part of nature, or, that which proceeds out
of nature. That which is owed to nature. This is what creatures receive by the
Creator in their creation. We might think of it as ‘ordinary’. Sin is contrary
to nature.
Natural order The orientation of all creatures to their ultimate end in
accordance with their nature.
Supernatural That which is neither part of nature, nor proceeds as effects from
nature, nor can be claimed by nature. The supernatural is super-added by God
over the claims and endowments of nature to the natural gifts of the creature. The
supernatural is entirely gratuitous on the part of God. It requires direct
divine intervention. Without secondary or natural causes. God is not bound to
grant supernatural gifts.
e.g
knowledge of the Triune God, actual grace, sanctifying grace, the immediate
vision of God (beatific vision).
Also,
effects upon the natural, e.g. miraculous healing of a person
Some
things are not supernatural for other creatures, e.g. infused knowledge is
supernatural for men and natural for angels.
Relatively
supernatural belong the preternatural gifts of man’s primitive state (lost at
Fall), i.e. Adam and Eve’s freedom from concupiscence and bodily immortality.
The visible and invisible of Creation
As used in the Nicene Creed.
Visible = material Part of God’s creation which is made of
matter. Both living and dead.
Invisible = spiritual Part of God’s creation which is
immaterial. It does not have a physical, material existence. (Does not mean
things we cannot currently see or detect, but that which we could never
materially detect.)
Angels Spiritual creatures
Animals Material creatures
Men Material
and spiritual creatures (animals with spiritual souls)
