Roman Catholic Universe

EVOLUTION Are the opening chapters of Genesis a literal, scientific description of the world's creation? Or is their language more figurative, whose essential meaning points to fundamental truths about God and the world? Christians have debated the matter since ancient times Perhaps the sharpest controversy over these passages has to do with human origins, usually focusing on the scientific theory of evolution. Some believe that Genesis, rightly understood, denies any possibility that human beings have descended in some sense from other species. Others, however, claim that such evolution is a proven scientific fact Catholic tradition provides a different perspective. Following the insights of St. Augustine and others, it allows that Genesis employs figurative language, so it cannot be cited as a scientific text that rules out human evolution altogether. At the same time, however, the "proven facts of science" accepted by one generation may be rejected by later generations...

END TIME  The startling visions of the prophet Daniel, whose apocalyptic language is echoed in Revelation, have provided grist for many a mill of "end times"  speculation. Though a number of the book's passages seem to refer to events now in the past, others clearly point toward "the end of days" ( Dn 12:13 ) Nevertheless, given the cryptic and often symbolic nature of these and related biblical texts, the countless interpretations of them often contradict one another. so the catholic church warns believers to avoid futile speculation on the matter. What, then, can we know for certain about the end of the world? Here's a summary of the essentials of church teaching from the Catechism : Jesus will return to earth in glory ( see Mt 24:27 ) First, however, the Antichrist will appear to deceive the world and persecute the church  ( see 2 Thes 2:3-12 ) The Church will suffer the great tribulation prophesied by her lord ( see Mt 24:3-14 ) The final victory of Chri...