Problems with Catholic Theology

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In short, I posted a question on the converts section which turned into more of an argument, so I followed the advice of those who replied and moved it to the apologetics section. I am choosing a faith for my adult life, and I am admittedly leaning towards orthodoxy or Protestantism of some sort but am also considering Catholicism. My father was a catholic in his childhood. My problems, though, are as follows. I do not believe in purgatory, as I believe that in accordance with scripture, we need not be cleansed literally of our sins after death but instead that the blood of our Savior cleanses our repented sins. Take for example the case of the penitent thief who was promised entrance into paradise that day only by being cleansed by belief in Jesus’ divinity. Say what you will, but this man surely should be first in line for such a place if it existed. Jesus did not say that he would be in paradise after a few years in Purgatory. Similarly, as I believe that Mary needed not be perfect to be assumed into heaven but only have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus, I do not think that an imperfect human, no matter how important, be given a description fit only for Christ. I agree that some of St. Paul’s writings can justify priestly celibacy, but if St. Peter, the rock of the church and the first “pope” was married, surely a priest can choose such a life if they wish. Papal infallibility I also dispute because certain popes such as Leo X would be able to use such an invention to sell indulgences, that deplorable sale which helped split the church again. I undestand its use, but even popes, like Leo X, can be wrong. Since the Bible mentions neither purgatory directly (it is only assumed by Catholics from a variety of very vague references), the Immaculate Conception, the mandate of priestly celibacy (only a suggestion of Paul and several apostles had wives), and papal infallibility or even the office of pope, it is not hard to see that Catholics go beyond the Bible and even sometimes contradict it. Looking at orthodoxy’s relatively pure history free of such popes as Alexander VI, indulgences, and nepotism, and in my opinion purer theology, they seem like the true church. I’d like to hear the opposition to these opinions from knowledgeable Catholics.
 
Praise God for your current journey. I’ll be praying for you.

I agree with the previous post that you should start, if you haven’t already, with some of the Catholic Answers tracts to see where support for Catholic doctrines are found, both in Scripture and in Tradition (writings of the Church fathers, Councils, etc). I’m sure folks here will also respond to those issues you raised.
christian2112 said:
…it is not hard to see that Catholics go beyond the Bible and even sometimes contradict it…
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I assume by what you mean “go beyond the Bible” is that the Catholic Church makes up new beliefs (i.e. Purgatory, beliefs about the Blessed Virgin Mary, etc) that are not found in the Bible. I would say that what I have studied in regards to Catholic doctrine is evident (either explicitly or implicitly) in the Bible, but those who do not hold to the Church’s interpretation will always find what you call only a “vague” or even incorrect interpretation. Catholic doctrine will never contradict the Bible, and what you see as a contradiction can be adequately clarified. The biggest issue in assenting to Catholic truth is the issue of authority. If you don’t agree that we have an infallible authority who safeguards the Christian faith that was “once for all delivered to the saints”, then interpretation of Bible versus is anyone’s fair game.

I thought it was interesting that you consider Orthodoxy as a contender for the true church, but it does not hold to the Protestant notion of sola scriptura and is very similar to Catholicism. In fact, its “pure history” is the same as Catholicism for the first 10 or more centuries.

The reason I mention Catholicism and Orthodoxy’s history for the first centuries is because you might be surprised as to what beliefs were expressed during this time. You’ll find teachings on Purgatory, sinlessness of Blessed Virgin Mary, and priestly celibacy in the writings of the Church fathers all of whom had respect for what is taught in Sacred Scripture and what is passed on in Apostolic Tradition.
 
There are many good reasons for preistly celibacy, mostly cited in scripture. I have a family. I couldnt even fathom trying to pastor a community along with the responsibilities of having a family. It would be too much.

Also, it is more perfect and what life will be like in heaven when we recieve our glorified bodies:

Quote from link below
The eschatological absence of marriage will be a state, that is, the proper and fundamental mode of existence of human beings, men and women, in their glorified bodies.
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ewtn.com/library/papaldoc/jp2tb72.htm
 
Hello Christian2112 and welcome to the journey that God has called you to travel. 🙂

I am what is commonly called a “convert” to Catholicism from the Assemblies of God who once had all the objections and misconceptions you have about the teachings of the Church. In each of your objections there is a grain of truth but most of what you have stated is misconception about what the Church actually teaches. This is very common among non-Catholics because they hear a lot of skewed ideas about Church teaching but very little from the actual source itself. It’s like hearing about someone’s reputation 2nd or 3rd hand and simply believing it without checking into the facts–which is what you are doing by asking questions. However, your questions are skewed in and of themselves–no fault to you–and show you have been misinformed in what you think the Church teaches, you see.

The way things work on the forum doesn’t lend itself well to answering several questions on different topics in one thread. We can’t possibly give you good answers to all your questions in a single post or series of posts. It’s better to ask about one thing at a time, such as purgatory, so we can answer you fully and you can respond to one thing at a time and not be overwhelmed. So, I suggest, most kindly, that you start a new thread for each topic so we can have a good discussion and answer you properly. 🙂 God bless you. I look forward to reading and participating in your threads to share what I have learned in my 25 years as a Catholic.
 
Let me try to put your questions into bullet points for ease of others replying:

Intro: In short, I posted a question on the converts section which turned into more of an argument, so I followed the advice of those who replied and moved it to the apologetics section. I am choosing a faith for my adult life, and I am admittedly leaning towards orthodoxy or Protestantism of some sort but am also considering Catholicism. My father was a catholic in his childhood. My problems, though, are as follows.

[1] I do not believe in purgatory, as I believe that in accordance with scripture, we need not be cleansed literally of our sins after death but instead that the blood of our Savior cleanses our repented sins. Take for example the case of the penitent thief who was promised entrance into paradise that day only by being cleansed by belief in Jesus’ divinity. Say what you will, but this man surely should be first in line for such a place if it existed. Jesus did not say that he would be in paradise after a few years in Purgatory.

[2] Similarly, as I believe that Mary needed not be perfect to be assumed into heaven but only have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus, I do not think that an imperfect human, no matter how important, be given a description fit only for Christ.

[3] I agree that some of St. Paul’s writings can justify priestly celibacy, but if St. Peter, the rock of the church and the first “pope” was married, surely a priest can choose such a life if they wish.

[4] Papal infallibility I also dispute because certain popes such as Leo X would be able to use such an invention to sell indulgences, that deplorable sale which helped split the church again. I undestand its use, but even popes, like Leo X, can be wrong.

In Summary: Since the Bible mentions neither purgatory directly (it is only assumed by Catholics from a variety of very vague references), the Immaculate Conception, the mandate of priestly celibacy (only a suggestion of Paul and several apostles had wives), and papal infallibility or even the office of pope, it is not hard to see that Catholics go beyond the Bible and even sometimes contradict it. Looking at orthodoxy’s relatively pure history free of such popes as Alexander VI, indulgences, and nepotism, and in my opinion purer theology, they seem like the true church. I’d like to hear the opposition to these opinions from knowledgeable Catholics.
 
Hi,
I can tell you that i spent 10 years as a devout Protestant, and then 6 years as an Orthodox. After many years of study and discernment, i know Catholicism is the true church.
Are you willing to say that all Christians were heretics for 16 centuries, and finally got the truth? By the way, Martin Luther had no problems with the Church’s teachings on the Mother of God. Also, know that modern history books are published by Catholicism’s enemies, you need to read the “other” version, before passing judgement.
As far as Orthodoxy, i would suggest reading The Russian Church and the Papacy, by Vladimir Soloviev, an Orthodox theologian, to understand, among other things, why the Orthodox Church, (nor the Protestant Church for that matter) have no catechism. Because to attempt a catechism, i mean to explicity state what their beliefs are, would expose the fact that they cannot agree. And that destroys their argument against needing a Pope, needing a central authority. Orthodoxy is nearly as fragmented, and as inconsistent as Protestantism.
As virtually all great philosophers understood, it is impossible for man to determine absolute truth. Absolute truth can only be acquired from someone who already has it, i.e. God. God gave us the Catholic Church. The Church decided which writings to include in the bible, gave us dogma and doctrine, which has remained unchanged down through the centuries.
Best wishes.
 
Thanks Joe5859 for summarizing the OP’s objections. :tiphat; The problem is there are too many to address properly in a single thread. I, therefore, suggested he start fresh threads for each topic he raised for I, as well as you and others, wish to give him full and helpful answers to each of his objections.
 
I think that you need to start thinking about Purgatory as a state of being not a place. Also, time is based in our world. God is outside time so saying a year or 5 mins or whatever in regard to Purgatory is pure speculation.

What is sin? Rebellion and absence of Gods perfection. Therefore God is separated from sin. This is why Jesus asked why the father had forsaken him on the cross. In order to enter Gods presence we must be purified of sin. Most Protestants acknowledge this. They call it sanctification. Purgatory is the churches understanding of this process. It may be instantaneous at death. I have written extensively on purgatory on my blog. Findingthecatholicchurch.blogspot.com.

Here are a couple quotes I think may help you appreciate Catholic teaching on purgatory.

“Our souls demand Purgatory, don’t they? Would it not break the heart if God said to us, “It is true, my son, that your breath smells and your rags drip with mud and slime, but we are charitable here and no one will upbraid you with these things, nor draw away from you. Enter into joy”? Should we not reply, “With submission, sir, and if there is no objection, I’d rather be cleansed first.” “It may hurt, you know”—even so, sir.” -CS LEWIS

"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.
. . .
"[Purgatory] is the inwardly necessary process of transformation in which a person becomes capable of Christ, capable of God and thus capable of unity with the whole communion of saints.
. . .
“Encounter with the Lord is this transformation.”…

–Joseph Ratzinger, Eschatology: Death and Eternal Life, p. 230-231

Every trace of attachment to evil must be eliminated, every imperfection of the soul corrected. Purification must be complete, and indeed this is precisely what is meant by the Church’s teaching on purgatory. The term does not indicate a place, but a condition of existence. Those who, after death, exist in a state of purification, are already in the love of Christ who removes from them the remnants of imperfection (cf. Ecumenical Council of Florence, Decretum pro Graecis: DS 1304; Ecumenical Council of Trent, Decretum de iustificatione: DS 1580; Decretum de purgatorio: DS 1820).
It is necessary to explain that the state of purification is not a prolungation of the earthly condition, almost as if after death one were given another possibility to change one’s destiny. The Church’s teaching in this regard is unequivocal and was reaffirmed by the Second Vatican Council which teaches: "Since we know neither the day nor the hour, we should follow the advice of the Lord and watch constantly so that, when the single course of our earthly life is completed (cf. Heb 9: 27), we may merit to enter with him into the marriage feast and be numbered among the blessed, and not, like the wicked and slothful servants, be ordered to depart into the eternal fire, into the outer darkness where “men will weep and gnash their teeth’ (Mt 22: 13 and 25: 30)” (Lumen gentium, n. 48).

“Some recent theologians are of the opinion that the fire which both burns and saves is Christ himself, the Judge and Saviour. The encounter with him is the decisive act of judgement. Before his gaze all falsehood melts away. This encounter with him, as it burns us, transforms and frees us, allowing us to become truly ourselves. All that we build during our lives can prove to be mere straw, pure bluster, and it collapses. Yet in the pain of this encounter, when the impurity and sickness of our lives become evident to us, there lies salvation. His gaze, the touch of his heart heals us through an undeniably painful transformation “as through fire”. But it is a blessed pain, in which the holy power of his love sears through us like a flame, enabling us to become totally ourselves and thus totally of God. In this way the inter-relation between justice and grace also becomes clear: the way we live our lives is not immaterial, but our defilement does not stain us for ever if we have at least continued to reach out towards Christ, towards truth and towards love. Indeed, it has already been burned away through Christ’s Passion. At the moment of judgement we experience and we absorb the overwhelming power of his love over all the evil in the world and in ourselves. The pain of love becomes our salvation and our joy.”

-Pope Benedict XVI Spe Salvi

Hopefully in light of this the idea is less upsetting to you.
 
First, scripture speaks of a purgation process, but not in that exact word. The crux of the matter is the proper understanding and context of those verses.

Protestantism and Orthodoxy, other than claiming Christ, have profound, fundamental differences. Extreme doctrinal differences. Serious age differences. Extensive history differences. Irreconcilable authority differences. The usual choices of serious seekers are between Orthodoxy and Catholicism, the only - only - two Churches that trace directly to Jesus in an unbroken line. Personally, I would have to reject “protestantism” as it is for all practical purposes undefinable. And, there is no authority to which the believer can go for a definition. Confusion and division reign among and between the denominations. I cannot envision one’s spirit ever being at rest in protestantism (unless they simply stop seeking the truth), as there is always another denomination to investigate. We know from the testimony of innumerable converts that they simply believed that something was lacking in their former denomination(s).

Please consider obtaining a copy of Catholicism for Dummies. It is an excellent, easily read and understood explanation of Catholic beliefs and practices, as well as the reasons behind them. I learn something each time I read my copy.
 
Hi Christian, Welcome to CAF,

As one who studied his way back in to the Catholic Church, let me assure you that all those questions can be answered, however, the starting point needs to be authority.

Underlining a few of your questions is the idea of Sola Scriptura - that everything we should know as Christians is contained in Scripture Alone. No outside authority, no universal infallible interpretations, no traditions.

Here’s a series of questions you need to ask yourself and diligently seek the answers to:
  1. Why do I believe the Bible is the Word of God? Because it says so? So does the Koran and Book of Mormon.
  2. If Scripture Alone is a sufficient rule of faith for all Christians, where does it say that in Scripture? Hint: “Profitable” does not mean “sufficient”
  3. If Scripture is the Sole rule of faith, where is the list of books, in Scripture, that tell us what books belong in Scripture?
  4. What did Christians do for nearly 350-400 years when they did not have a collection of books we now call ‘The Bible’?
  5. If Scripture is a sufficient rule of authority, why does Scripture say that we need to hold on to the Oral Tradition as well as the written Tradition and say that BOTH are the Word of God? (2 Thes 2:15; 1 Thes 2:13; and many many others, just do a key word search on Catholic Answers)
Now enough of my questions. On to yours:
  1. Just like with ‘Trinity’ you will not find the word ‘Purgatory’ in the Bible, but the principal is there: catholic.com/radio/shows/where-is-purgatory-in-the-bible-7977
  2. Celibacy is also taught in Scripture, but not by that word. Please read: catholic.com/tracts/celibacy-and-the-priesthood
  3. Problems with Mary. I don’t know if you have problems with her Sinless-ness (Which Martin Luther believed she was sinless) or her Immaculate Conception or Assumption into heaven. So here’s a LOT of resources: catholic.com/magazine/articles/mary-the-ark-of-the-new-covenant
    catholic.com/magazine/articles/the-case-for-mary%E2%80%99s-perpetual-virginity
    catholic.com/radio/shows/mary-the-new-eve-4624 (1st hour)
    catholic.com/radio/shows/mary-the-new-eve-4625 (2nd hour)
    catholic.com/radio/shows/how-to-explain-and-defend-mary-4138
    catholic.com/radio/shows/mary-in-the-bible-encore-4555
    catholic.com/tracts/immaculate-conception-and-assumption
  4. Papal Infallibility: Great topic. Again lots of resources:
    catholic.com/tracts/papal-infallibility
    catholic.com/radio/shows/the-primacy-of-peter-6711
    catholic.com/radio/shows/pope-fiction-4993
    catholic.com/radio/shows/whats-your-authority-4715
    catholic.com/tracts/papal-infallibility
    catholic.com/tracts/the-authority-of-the-pope-part-i
    catholic.com/tracts/the-authority-of-the-pope-part-ii
Hope this all helps. God Bless you on your journey! It’s a Glorious one provided you are open to following Truth, no matter what it means you have to give up.

God Bless, :signofcross:
 
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christian2112:
I do not believe in purgatory, as I believe that in accordance with scripture, we need not be cleansed literally of our sins after death but instead that the blood of our Savior cleanses our repented sins. Take for example the case of the penitent thief who was promised entrance into paradise that day only by being cleansed by belief in Jesus’ divinity. Say what you will, but this man surely should be first in line for such a place if it existed. Jesus did not say that he would be in paradise after a few years in Purgatory.
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So, let’s dedicate this thread to purgatory. 🙂 First of all we are not “cleansed of our sins after death.” We do not pay for our sins in the purging fires that St. Paul mentions:
1Cor. 3:15 If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.
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Jesus stated that we will have to pay for the consequences of our sins we garnered by our lack of charity.

Purgatory is the process through which we pay for the consequences of our forgiven sins for no sin can enter heaven and purgatory is a part of heaven not a separate “place.” Jesus’ death on the cross certainly paid for our sins, but when we sin we cause damage to the people of God, to ourselves and to others. If we don’t make up for that by reparation, prayer, good works of Christian charity/love, then we will have to account for it in purgatory. So, it’s not sins we pay for, but our attachment to sin and the consequences of our sins. If I’ve got any of this wrong, I ask to be corrected by those better versed in the topic than I. 🙂
 
If you wish to know the answers Read the Book “Unabridged Christianity” by Fr. Mario Romero. It has all the answers anyone needs and can direct you directly into Scripture since everything “has to be in the Bible” for some. No offence… Blessed are they that have not seen but still believe. There are so many answers around us and God is so Simple that our Human minds cannot comprehend Him at times. Even at the end of John, It clearly states that God cannot be contained in a book, but all that is written is so that we may come to believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of the Living God. The questions you bring up are in the Bible. Just read the Book listed above and you can find all the answers you need to better assist you. God Bless!
 
christian2112 said:
I do not believe in purgatory, as I believe that in accordance with scripture, we need not be cleansed literally of our sins after death but instead that the blood of our Savior cleanses our repented sins. Take for example the case of the penitent thief who was promised entrance into paradise that day only by being cleansed by belief in Jesus’ divinity. Say what you will, but this man surely should be first in line for such a place if it existed. Jesus did not say that he would be in paradise after a few years in Purgatory.
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Jesus could very easily forgive the “good thief”'s sins (temporal and spiritual) right then and there because He’s Jesus Christ. The good thief did his pennence on his cross, and was forgiven of ALL sin by the Highest Priest ever… If anyone could bypass Purgatory, it would be the good thief.

Do you know and understand the difference between “redemption” and “salvation”? Jesus died for our REDEMPTION. Does this mean we’re all going to Heaven (Salvation)?
christian2112 said:
Similarly, as I believe that Mary needed not be perfect to be assumed into heaven but only have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus, I do not think that an imperfect human, no matter how important, be given a description fit only for Christ. I agree that some of St. Paul’s writings can justify priestly celibacy, but if St. Peter, the rock of the church and the first “pope” was married, surely a priest can choose such a life if they wish.
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The Church interpets the Scriptures. If you are “un-churched”, you’ve been interpeting on your own. Catholics see the Church as the “pillar and ground of truth” (1 Tim 3:15), and interpeter of the Scriptures (Acts 8:30-31). If the Church is the interpeter, we obey the interpetation.

More to follow…
 
christian2112 said:
In short, I posted a question on the converts section which turned into more of an argument, so I followed the advice of those who replied and moved it to the apologetics section.

Are you seeking answers about what the Catholic Church teaches? Or to argue your point or beliefs?
My problems, though, are as follows.
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christian2112 said:
In short,

I agree that some of St. Paul’s writings can justify priestly celibacy, but if St. Peter, the rock of the church and the first “pope” was married, surely a priest can choose such a life if they wish.

I’d like to hear the opposition to these opinions from knowledgeable Catholics.
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A catholic who wishes to be a priest knows what he is choosing for…including celibacy…he chooses freely and is not forced.

So, if you agree with St. Paul’s teaching on celibacy…what is your issue with it? The Church insituted celibacy for a reason…so do you think you are wiser than the Church when it instituted the rule of celibacy?

Here is an article from a married priest on celibacy…holyspiritinteractive.net/columns/guests/rayryland/thegift.asp

The Gift: A Married Priest Looks at Celibacy
by Fr. Ray Ryland
“You’re a married priest? I didn’t know we had married priests. I think the Church should let all her priests marry.”

Words like these have greeted me frequently since my ordination to the priesthood in 1983, with dispensation from the rule of celibacy. I always assure those who favor optional celibacy that both my wife and I strongly support the Church’s discipline of priestly celibacy. While I’m deeply grateful that the Church has made an exception for certain former Protestant clergy like me, the exception is clearly a compromise. The priesthood and marriage are both full-time vocations. The fact is, no one can do complete justice to both simultaneously.

An Ancient Discipline
Unquestionably, sentiment in favor of optional celibacy for priests is growing, even among faithful Catholics. But there are two fundamental errors underlying this opinion, one historical, the other theological.
First, the historical error: People commonly believe that the Church mandated celibacy for her priests beginning in the fourth century or the twelfth century or somewhere in between. The fact is, priestly celibacy is an apostolic institution. 1

The connection of celibacy with priesthood was first revealed in Christ. We see that in its perfect embodiment, priesthood involves remaining free from all claims of marriage and parenthood. That freedom enabled God’s Son to be completely available for the working of the Father’s perfect will through Him (Cf. Jn 4:34).

When He called His successors, the apostles, “they left everything and followed him” (Lk 5:11). Later, Peter reminded Jesus, “We have left everything and followed you.” Then he asked, with typical candor, “What then will we have?” (Mt 19:27). Jesus replied, “There is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who will not get back very much more in this age, and in the age to come” (Lk 19:29, emphasis added). Recall also that when Jesus taught the indissolubility of marriage, He also highly commended celibacy (Mt 19:12). And Paul himself strongly endorsed celibacy for more effective service to the Lord.

The Gift
The priesthood is a continuous gift to the Church. She is only a steward, not the giver, of that gift. But as recent magisterial statements have reminded us, celibacy itself is also a gift.
In his encyclical I Will Give You Shepherds (1992), Pope John Paul II repeatedly characterizes clerical celibacy as such. He calls it “a priceless gift,” “a precious gift,” a “gift of God for the Church.” It is a gift to be cherished. And because it is God’s gift, the Church as an institution has no right to set it aside—to send it back to God, so to speak.
 
christian2112 said:
In short, I posted a question on the converts section which turned into more of an argument, so I followed the advice of those who replied and moved it to the apologetics section. I am choosing a faith for my adult life, and I am admittedly leaning towards orthodoxy or Protestantism of some sort but am also considering Catholicism. My father was a catholic in his childhood. My problems, though, are as follows. I do not believe in purgatory, as I believe that in accordance with scripture, we need not be cleansed literally of our sins after death but instead that the blood of our Savior cleanses our repented sins. Take for example the case of the penitent thief who was promised entrance into paradise that day only by being cleansed by belief in Jesus’ divinity. Say what you will, but this man surely should be first in line for such a place if it existed. Jesus did not say that he would be in paradise after a few years in Purgatory. Similarly, as I believe that Mary needed not be perfect to be assumed into heaven but only have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus, I do not think that an imperfect human, no matter how important, be given a description fit only for Christ. I agree that some of St. Paul’s writings can justify priestly celibacy, but if St. Peter, the rock of the church and the first “pope” was married, surely a priest can choose such a life if they wish. Papal infallibility I also dispute because certain popes such as Leo X would be able to use such an invention to sell indulgences, that deplorable sale which helped split the church again. I undestand its use, but even popes, like Leo X, can be wrong. Since the Bible mentions neither purgatory directly (it is only assumed by Catholics from a variety of very vague references), the Immaculate Conception, the mandate of priestly celibacy (only a suggestion of Paul and several apostles had wives), and papal infallibility or even the office of pope, it is not hard to see that Catholics go beyond the Bible and even sometimes contradict it. Looking at orthodoxy’s relatively pure history free of such popes as Alexander VI, indulgences, and nepotism, and in my opinion purer theology, they seem like the true church. I’d like to hear the opposition to these opinions from knowledgeable Catholics.
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You have hit a few topics and from some of your comments I think you may not clearly understand Church teaching in many areas. I suggest you break your issues up and start a thread for each of them otherwise the thread becomes unwieldy. You might start with where you got the Bible from–and by what authority you accept the books of the Bible that you do–since you seem to be looking at it as an authority. For my part I find no contradiction between Catholic doctrine and the Bible. I will go further to say that without the Catholic Church and its authority you would not have the Bible. I wish you well on your journey and I urge you to pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit in seeking the truth.

The peace of Christ,
Mark
 
If you will like I will just comment on Purgatory as this may be the first question on your mind. There may be good reasons why the Church did not have Purgatory on its lips in those first centuries. Purgatory as taught by the Catholic Church refers more to the Discipline and Justice of God to save an individual who will not express in his or her life what the Mercy of God has done for them. Since they do not project God’s Mercy for instance to their neighbor the consequences of such behaviours deserve Discipline and Justice from God. Here the Discipline imposed by God to such individuals is still Redemptive but it is more of an action of Justice from God to still save such a person. Purgatory as taught in the West may need a bit of updating since it is not properly understood in its full context.

Purgatory as I teach it is not something that occurs only in the next life but is actually starts in this life. You are in a Purgatory state now. If for instance a person dies still in a Purgatory state of being than God continues this state of being into the next life. God can only continue what is exactly there at the moment of death. So if someone continues their Purgatory after death then it is because they hardly did anything in this life with their Christian witness. Either there were lazy or they responded to the Mercy of God by not giving mercy to their neighbor. In either case God still needs to offer salvation to them but in these cases it is through the Discipline of His Justice which can still offer these souls salvation. The point is what is your disposition at the moment of your death. The Good Thief was not lazy nor was he accusing others of why he was on cross. He gave testimony to the truth so that his confession in the eyes of Jesus warranted complete forgiveness.

Many people however do not respond in the same way as the Good Thief. They were either too lazy to do anything or they constantly reject God’s mercy by not putting it into practice. One instance in the Gospels that refers to a Purgatory type of discipline is when a man who was forgiven a great debt would take another man who owed him a little bit to court. The King was very displeased with such behaviour and ordered this man back into prison. The King said he will not get out until he pay up the last penny. What the King was saying is this. This man has not learned to forgive offences. This man will not say those words. So the King will put this man into a prison where he will learn to do this. In time this man will get out and pay the last penny by acknowledging to offer forgiveness in the first place. Once he learns to do this while in prison (Purgatory) he will glorify this King for the correction given to him.

Purgatory deals mostly with the Justice of God. If the early Church did not speak about it, I sense it was because it was not the right time. Many people believe Purgatory can be an easy way to go to Heaven without doing that much in this life. So to make sure people would not think this way the Church had to be tougher from the beginning. As the centuries progressed the Catholic Church began its teaching on Purgatory which explains much how God can continue to save the lazy, disobedient and unmerciful ones whose sins are not worthy of hell. We can also refer to those who are just plain couch potatoes. We have a lot of those today so you imagine what would happen if the early Church had them. So it was not the right time to bring out this teaching until later on.

Purgatory actually is always taken care of when you love God. You want to wipe out any Purgatory than get off the couch, stop being lazy and start loving God by putting His love into practice by loving those around you. Purgatory is only necessary when you do not put your Faith into action.
 
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