Doesn't indlugence and long term punishment contradict the disciples ability for the forgiveness of sin

  • Thread starter Thread starter Pathway2
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
P

Pathway2

Guest
Doesn’t things like indulgences contradict the idea of being forgiven of you sins even after confession?

Doesn’t it deny that your sins are forgiven as the apostles where given the ability to forgive ones sins?
 
Indulgences are the remittance of temperal punishment. You kind of need to be forgiven before you get them.
 
Are they to spiritually revive you. can you think of any good examples?
 
It seems to be something like that, except when practically applied doing something like breaking a window would, in general, demand that one make restitution for it-- as I understand that wouldn’t necessarily be the “temporal punishment” for the sin of having damaged the property. Just as clarification; I know you were speaking analogously. 😛

Anyway, here’s what the Catechism (#1472) has to say on temporal punishment:
[E]very sin, even venial, entails an unhealthy attachment to creatures, which must be purified either here on earth, or after death in the state called Purgatory. This purification frees one from what is called the “temporal punishment” of sin. These two punishments must not be conceived of as a kind of vengeance inflicted by God from without, but as following from the very nature of sin.
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
Pathway2 said:
Doesn’t things like indulgences contradict the idea of being forgiven of you sins even after confession?

Doesn’t it deny that your sins are forgiven as the apostles where given the ability to forgive ones sins?
Click to expand...
In baptism, everything is forgiven (original sin, guilt of actual sins, and all temporal punishments), but not in the sacrament of confession. Indulgences may add to the value of a persons penitential practices which eliminate temporal punishment of sins, through the grant of the Church.
 
Last edited:
Pathway2 said:
what is temporal punishment?
Click to expand...
Catechism
The punishments of sin

1472 To understand this doctrine and practice of the Church, it is necessary to understand that sin has a double consequence. Grave sin deprives us of communion with God and therefore makes us incapable of eternal life, the privation of which is called the “eternal punishment” of sin. On the other hand every sin, even venial, entails an unhealthy attachment to creatures, which must be purified either here on earth, or after death in the state called Purgatory. This purification frees one from what is called the “temporal punishment” of sin. These two punishments must not be conceived of as a kind of vengeance inflicted by God from without, but as following from the very nature of sin. A conversion which proceeds from a fervent charity can attain the complete purification of the sinner in such a way that no punishment would remain.83

1473 The forgiveness of sin and restoration of communion with God entail the remission of the eternal punishment of sin, but temporal punishment of sin remains. While patiently bearing sufferings and trials of all kinds and, when the day comes, serenely facing death, the Christian must strive to accept this temporal punishment of sin as a grace. He should strive by works of mercy and charity, as well as by prayer and the various practices of penance, to put off completely the “old man” and to put on the "new man."84
Click to expand...
 
Vico said:
Grave sin deprives us of communion with God and therefore makes us incapable of eternal life, the privation of which is called the “eternal punishment” of sin
Click to expand...
can it be forgiven in the sacrament of Confession?
 
The Sacrament of Confession forgives all eternal punishments (Hell). Part of the temporal punishment is also removed in the Sacrament of Confession because the priest assigns a penance for the penitent to complete after the Confession. That’s basically what an indulgence is. It repairs the damage one has caused through their sins, but more importantly, it is meant to draw one closer to God and increase their holiness.

Scripture teaches us nothing unclean can enter Heaven, so most of us will need to undergo some purification either on Earth or after our deaths to attain the perfect holiness we need to enter Heaven. This purification should not be viewed as “punishment,” even though that is the word we use. It should be viewed more as a way to bring us closer to God, keep our focus on Him, and prepare us to be in His perfect presence. The holier we become, the less purification we need. It’s really more for our own benefit than to satisfy some kind of justice on God’s part. I sent you a private message with some links to help you learn more about indulgences, but if you didn’t receive it, I can post them in this thread for you.
 
Think of it this way. Say I steal $100 from you. I repent of it and confess it and am absolved and forgiven. But this does not absolve the temporal consequence of my sin–I still have the $100. I have still unjustly benefited from my sin and carry that injustice with me. I need to return the money to be completely clean. All sin includes a temporal injustice, even if it is not as tangible as the example given–a temporal stain that needs to be expiated–not just a wounding or destruction of the relationship with God.

If these are not expiated in this life, they will be expiated in purgatory before we enter Heaven. Likewise, since we are one body, we can make such satisfaction on behalf of one another–an indulgence is the remittance of this need to make satisfaction in light of (and applying) the superabundant satisfaction made by other members of the Body of Christ. It should be done not so that we can “get away with” sinning or harm others, but as mercy.
 
Last edited:
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top