Praying for the Dead Proved from Scripture

  • Thread starter Thread starter Randy_Carson
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
Do “Lutherans” have a definition of Purgatory? Do all Lutherans believe one definition? How do prayers for the dead relate to the Lutheran definition of Purgatory?
Lutherans would reject the idea of an intermediate state/place Purgatory. We do, however recognize that those under grace must be cleansed/purged at the moment of death to enter Heaven. Linked is a dialogue statement .

usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/ecumenical-and-interreligious/ecumenical/lutheran/upload/The-Hope-of-Eternal-Life1.pdf

Jon
 
No, they wouldn’t. While it would be wrong for a Catholic to separate prayers for the dead and purgatory, that wouldn’t hold true for churches that do not accept the Latin definition of purgatory but who also pray for the dead. Again, that would be Lutherans and, on a wider scale, the Orthodox.
And yet, it seems possible for Catholics disconnect, so to speak the two.

Cardinal Ratzinger
“The transforming ‘moment’ of this encounter cannot be quantified by the measurements of earthly time. It is, indeed, not eternal but a transition, and yet trying to qualify it as of ‘short’ or ‘long’ duration on the basis of temporal measurements derived from physics would be naive and unproductive. The ‘temporal measure’ of this encounter lies in the unsoundable depths of existence, in a passing-over where we are burned ere we are transformed. To measure such Existenzzeit, such an ‘existential time,’ in terms of the time of this world would be to ignore the specificity of the human spirit in its simultaneous relationship with, and differentation from, the world.”
Kind of relates to what Po18guy said.

Jon
 
Matthew 18…

23 “Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants…
… 34 And in anger his lord delivered him to the jailers,[m] till he should pay all his debt. 35 So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”

Luke 12…

41 Peter said, “Lord, are you telling this parable for us or for all?” 42 And the Lord said, “Who then is the faithful and wise steward, whom his master will set over his household, to give them their portion of food at the proper time? 43 Blessed is that servant whom his master when he comes will find so doing. 44 Truly, I tell you, he will set him over all his possessions. 45 But if that servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed in coming,’ and begins to beat the menservants and the maidservants, and to eat and drink and get drunk, 46 the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know, and will punish[f] him, and put him with the unfaithful. 47 And that servant who knew his master’s will, but did not make ready or act according to his will, shall receive a severe beating. 48 But he who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, shall receive a light beating. Every one to whom much is given, of him will much be required; and of him to whom men commit much they will demand the more.

Jesus seems pretty clear about Purgatory.

But being a Christian in good standing with God, who can be heard by the Lord to help with each other is something alot of us just wish we were.
 
Most Anglicans do not exactly believe in Purgatory per se. But I think the majority of them believe in something called the “intermediate state”, which is the same thing basically.
 
Just an opinion and probably true ? We pray for the dead and think about them because we love them, I think our Dear lord smiles when we do this and may be an actual proof of our love of neighbor.

God Bless
🙂
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top