Paul Thigpen
Paul Thigpen
Does intelligent life exist beyond earth?For more than half a century, the question of extraterrestrial intelligence (ETI) has been widely dismissed in our culture. That wasn't always the case. Some of the best minds of the last twenty-five centuries in Western civilization have grappled with this mystery.In Extraterrestrial Intelligence and the Catholic Faith, best-selling author Paul Thigpen begins with a fascinating historical survey of the public conversation about ETI, tracing the thought of prominent Catholics and others. Well-known figures such as Plato, Saint John Chrysostom, René Descartes, Isaac Newton, Benjamin Franklin, Réginald Garrigou-Lagrange, and C. S. Lewis all speculated about the possibilities of life beyond our planet. Even Catholic saints and blesseds spoke of ETI, such as Pope Saint. John Paul II, Saint (Padre) Pio of Pietrelcina, and Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich.In light of this history, readers will discover answers to these questions:How do Scripture and Catholic teaching shed light on this topic?Are alleged encounters with ETI simply a form of demonic deception?Is belief in ETI compatible with the Catholic Church's teaching?What might be the spiritual and moral status of ETI, and what relationship might they have to Jesus Christ?Would the confirmed existence of ETI undermine the Christian faith, as some have claimed?How can thinking about ETI deepen our faith and enhance our understanding of the Church's teaching about God and His creation, Jesus Christ and salvation, and God's ultimate intention for His creatures?Still more, a concluding appendix addresses the related issue of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) and the speculation surrounding them.Recent developments in astrophysics, technology, and UFO-related disclosures by the Pentagon have reawakened the public discussion about ETI. Extraterrestrial Intelligence and the Catholic Faith is a thorough guide to navigating the conversation from a faithful Catholic perspective.
The splendor of Gods world comes alive in this simple retelling of the biblical creation story for young children. As a master Artist, God paints the new canvas of earth and sky, beginning with the black of silent, empty space, then adding color after color with the creation of stars, oceans, land, plants, animals, and all the rest. Colors of Creation will help your child see the world all around in a new light-as the beautiful handiwork of a loving Creator. Each color displayed is yet another reflection of His glory and another pleasure to enjoy. In the end, Gods masterpiece on earth is revealed in the people He creates, who can work and play, love and pray-and who come in every hue. Bestselling author Paul Thigpen tells the story in lively verse, with whimsical illustrations by artist John Folley that your little one will long remember.
Gnawing worms, unquenchable fire, utter darkness, weeping and gnashing of teeth. With these fearful words, Jesus warned that hell is real…and that we could end up there.Since the Early Church, Catholic saints and other visionaries have reported horrific scenes of eternal punishment. Dozens of saints throughout history have described the terrors of hel, and relayed the horror of being separated from God for eternity so that we may see for ourselves and repent.In Saints Who Saw Hell, youll find …The scriptural witness to the reality of hell, including the warnings of Jesus, the prophets, and the ApostlesScenes from the second-century Apocalypse of Peter, the oldest surviving Christian vision of hellAncient reports collected by Pope St. Gregory the GreatMedieval accounts from St. Bede, the voyage of St. Brendan, St. Hildegard of Bingen, St. Catherine of Siena, and St. Frances of RomeWitnesses to hell from the time of the Catholic Reformation, such as St. Teresa of Avila, Blessed Maria de Agreda, and Blessed Richard of St. AnneVisions from later centuries, such as those of St. Veronica Giuliani, Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich, St. John Bosco, the children of Fatima, and St. Faustina KowalskaAnd other accounts from those who have witnessed the fate of the damnedThe scenes in these pages, varying in detail and source, all testify to one harrowing truth: hell is the final guarantee that what we do really matters.For us here on earth, a peak at the grisly tortures of hell is sometimes what we really need to redouble our efforts at achieving the glorious sweetness of heaven.
When a curious little boy visits the zoo, he learns much more from the animals than his parents might have expected. The fascinating creatures he encounters there provoke in him a rousing round of questions and speculations that will set your child to thinking.Why has God created and preserved such an entertaining assortment of beasts? As the boy surveys the wonderful critters all around him, at last he discovers Gods wildest wonderment of all-in a moment of joyous self-discovery that your child will share.Bestselling author Paul Thigpen tells the tale in rollicking, musical verse, with vivid and playful illustrations by artist John Folley that will have your little one begging to read this book again and again.
Have you ever wondered why Jesus has so many names? Its not an accident. Each one is invaluable in helping us to understand, as best we can, the full nature of Jesus Christ.Paul Thigpen dives deep into Scripture, from Genesis to Revelation, to illuminate the many names of Jesus found therein and explain how each one reveals something new and essential about Our Lord.The Biblical Names of Jesus is like no other book. It is an engrossing trek through Scripture spanning the entire Bible, focusing on the typologies of Jesus through 18 of his unique names. You will come away with a deeper knowledge of Christ and a fuller understanding of how the whole of the Bible points toward Jesus.With his expert yet accessible prose, Paul Thigpen will help you:Deepen your understanding of Jesus through his more familiar titles, such as Christ, Lord, Savior, Son of God, and Son of ManPonder the life-changing beauty and mystery of less-familiar names, such as the Bridegroom, Lion of the Tribe of Judah, Dawn from on High, and Alpha and Omega, as well as how they show aspects of Jesuss love for us, his Kingship, and His desire to lead us to heavenExamine-like each brilliant facet of a diamond-the One who holds you in existence, and come to know Jesus better than ever beforeUncover the types and prefigurements of Christ throughout Scripture, and take your personal relationship with Our Lord to a new level!
In this devotional treasure, youll find forty daily reflections on the passion and death of Our Lord. Each days reflection-suitable for Lent or for any time of the year-includes a scriptural text, a meditation, a brief prayer, and an excerpt from the visions of two celebrated Catholic mystics: Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich (1774-1824) and Venerable Maria de Agreda (1602-1665).In these reflections, youll watch with Jesus as He prays in the Garden of Gethsemane . . . grieve beside Him as He stands trial . . . climb with Him on the way to Calvary . . . and mourn with His Blessed Mother at the foot of the Cross.Youll also ponder the roles of other figures in this sorrowful drama: not only Mary, but also Peter and Judas, Herod and Pilate, Simon the Cyrene and Dismas the Good Thief . . . and, of course, Satan, whose hope of victory over Jesus is dashed in the end.Do you want to advance from virtue to virtue, from grace to grace? Are you seeking the entire sanctification of your soul? These are the rewards, insists St. Bonaventure, of those who meditate frequently on the sufferings of Christ.
Overflowing with priceless spiritual insights, this rich collection entitled A Dictionary of Quotes from the Saints presents key quotes from the saints on topics that are fundamental to Christian faith and experience. Profound and challenging, whimsical and inspiring, these readings will open your eyes, expand your horizons, and challenge your thinking.What did the great heroes of the Catholic faith have to teach us about God? Christ? The Church? The sacraments? Prayer? Temptation? Virtues and vices?What do they have to say about the family? Friendship? Politics? Aging? The death of a loved one? Gossip? Laughter? Play?Discover the striking parallels and solid agreement in the teachings of saints who lived in many different ages, places, and cultures, yet drew from the same well of ancient Christian wisdom. Dive in and explore this array of the best of the saints insights, organized in a brief, logical, and easy-to-use format. A Dictionary of Quotes from the Saints includes quotes from hundreds of saints, both those who are best known and those who should be better known as inspiring models of Christian faith and life. It provides an especially useful resource for priests, deacons, and other teachers of the Faith.Paul Thigpen, Ph.D., is an award-winning journalist and the bestselling author of more than forty-five books, including A Year With the Saints (Saint Benedict Press, 2013), Saints Who Battled Satan (TAN Books, 2015) and a Manual for Spiritual Warfare (TAN Books, 2014). His work has been circulated worldwide and translated into thirteen languages.