Christ Alone: Why indulgences are still a bad idea.

[Liraco]

They are done in correspondance with our faith, they are all done because of our faith. Faith without works is dead.

Then I don’t see where we disagree.

JonNC:

As a state of cleansing, momentary, removing the effects of sin on the human person, by the fire of divine love (as opposed to any works of merit on my part). I could buy that.

Which is why I don’t see the big deal with this. Those in purgatory are going to Heaven, it’s just that they need to “wash up” to be made presentable for the Lord.

Indulgences just help us “clean up the mess” (our temporal punishment) **now **instead of later. People have to keep in mind that an indulgence isn’t automatic or “magic”. Just like with confession, if you don’t really mean it then it’s ineffective. Just like saying “sorry” to someone without honesty (but in this case it’s God who happens to know better than you if you “mean it” or not).