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The Devil: Does He Exist and What Does He Do?
Covers sorcery, the devil's religion, contracts with the devil, communication with spirits, calling up the dead, secret societies, clairvoyance, tables that speak, diabolical temptation, possession, exorcism, transmigration of souls, means for the laity to combat the devil, and much more. Greatly needed today! Impr. 224 pgs; PB
- GenresTheology
222 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1871
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
May 5, 2013
I do not know if it is fair to evaluate this book separate from Catholicism. Seeing as how I am not Catholic and do not abide by their rituals, superstitions, and blasphemous heresies (my opinion on the Church; your experience may be different), it is exceedingly difficult to take Fr. Delaporte seriously as he offers up unsubstantiated anecdotal evidence of how only the rituals of the Church (and Mary, and the saints, and things the saints owned, etc.) can overcome the influence of the Devil.
Now, I did find that there is a small amount of insight to the more classical Devil as conceived by the Church. Unfortunately this was overwhelmed by Delaporte's fear of jugglery (I am going to assume he is referencing practiced deception and not juggling), Ouija boards, and spirit rappers. Delaporte also has difficulty staying on point, never quite knowing when to dismiss spiritualists as charlatans or when to condemn them as agents of Satan.
It probably comes down to whether or not one is likely to agree with the author on his premises. As philosophy, it fails. There is no critical examination of the nature of the Devil or his actions. Instead, it serves to bolster the Church in its claims as the only way to defend one's soul from the Devil and demons (through, you know, worshiping statues and offering prayers to beings who are most assuredly not God). I am sure I would have a different opinion were I Catholic, but this is not a book meant for persons outside the Church.
Now, I did find that there is a small amount of insight to the more classical Devil as conceived by the Church. Unfortunately this was overwhelmed by Delaporte's fear of jugglery (I am going to assume he is referencing practiced deception and not juggling), Ouija boards, and spirit rappers. Delaporte also has difficulty staying on point, never quite knowing when to dismiss spiritualists as charlatans or when to condemn them as agents of Satan.
It probably comes down to whether or not one is likely to agree with the author on his premises. As philosophy, it fails. There is no critical examination of the nature of the Devil or his actions. Instead, it serves to bolster the Church in its claims as the only way to defend one's soul from the Devil and demons (through, you know, worshiping statues and offering prayers to beings who are most assuredly not God). I am sure I would have a different opinion were I Catholic, but this is not a book meant for persons outside the Church.
May 2, 2015
Excellent treatise on the devil and the common ways you see him acting in the world. Also a fair amount of brief stories of folks who worshipped the devil, in one form or another. Quite interesting. There were a few typos and missing words in my printing, which made it more difficult to follow at some points,, but that's not the fault of the author.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews