Protestants, Luke 12 35-48

[GeorgeSword]

I’ve been reading Luke (very slowly, at a rate of about 2 chapters a day for devotional purposes) and came across an interesting verse… this is the first time I’ve read Luke, and once I’m done with it I will have read the Gospels. Then I can start over Anyway, in these verses, is it just me or does this sound a lot like Invincible Ignorance and Purgatory?
We are told in the parable that the servant who does not know his master’s will shall be beaten only a little, but the one who knows and does not obey shall suffer many blows. In this, we come to Invincible Ignorance, but also Purgatory, since we cannot be ‘beaten only lightly’ in hell, which is eternal punishment, nor can he be beaten in heaven. Luke 13 seems to refute the notion that the sufferings could take place on earth.

 

[praise_Jesus_1]

Interesting take. I just thought I might add that any suffering we endure here on earth can also help us.

Taken from www.catholicculture.org:

Our sufferings, permitted by God, serve to chastise us (Heb. 12:6), atone for our sins, and prepare us to receive the fullness of Jesus Christ.

 

[VisionaryOne]

There are many different levels of Purgatory of which the last level is similar to hell and Satan and Demons can enter it and torment you. However, you are able to leave that level and work your way up towards heaven based on how much prayers you receive.

What I believe is that passage is speaking of is the light level of purgatory and heavy level. Those who are exposed to the truth hidden by God will grow more in faith and are held accountable for what they have failed to do.

 

[Bob_Crowley]

I’ve been reading Luke (very slowly, at a rate of about 2 chapters a day for devotional purposes) and came across an interesting verse… this is the first time I’ve read Luke, and once I’m done with it I will have read the Gospels. Then I can start over Anyway, in these verses, is it just me or does this sound a lot like Invincible Ignorance and Purgatory?
We are told in the parable that the servant who does not know his master’s will shall be beaten only a little, but the one who knows and does not obey shall suffer many blows. In this, we come to Invincible Ignorance, but also Purgatory, since we cannot be ‘beaten only lightly’ in hell, which is eternal punishment, nor can he be beaten in heaven. Luke 13 seems to refute the notion that the sufferings could take place on earth.

It would have to be Purgatory, unless there are levels of suffering in Hell, which I think is possible. I find it hard to believe that a serial adulterer or common thief would be punished to the same extent as Adolf Hitler or Josef Stalin for example. They might all be in Hell, but I think even there God’s mercy would operate to some extent.

 

[VisionaryOne]

There are seven levels in hell. The deepest one is reserved for the most wicked like Judas, Hitler. God’s mercy does not exist in hell. It is his justice that prevents all souls in hell suffering the same torment.

There is one torment that all souls share and it is the loss of God.

 

[Bob_Crowley]

There are seven levels in hell. The deepest one is reserved for the most wicked like Judas, Hitler. God’s mercy does not exist in hell. It is his justice that prevents all souls in hell suffering the same torment.

There is one torment that all souls share and it is the loss of God.

I’ll take your word for it. Although I’m not aware of any official teaching that says there are seven specific levels in Hell. I’ve heard of the “Third Heaven” as Paul wrote, but even then I really don’t know what he was talking about.

 

[GeorgeSword]

The seven levels of hell and levels of Purgatory both come from Dante, as far as I know.

 

[Dokimas]

I’ve been reading Luke (very slowly, at a rate of about 2 chapters a day for devotional purposes) and came across an interesting verse… this is the first time I’ve read Luke, and once I’m done with it I will have read the Gospels. Then I can start over Anyway, in these verses, is it just me or does this sound a lot like Invincible Ignorance and Purgatory?
We are told in the parable that the servant who does not know his master’s will shall be beaten only a little, but the one who knows and does not obey shall suffer many blows. In this, we come to Invincible Ignorance, but also Purgatory, since we cannot be ‘beaten only lightly’ in hell, which is eternal punishment, nor can he be beaten in heaven. Luke 13 seems to refute the notion that the sufferings could take place on earth.

Unless hell’s experience will be according to what a person does wrong in this life (magnitude, I mean).

 

[O.S.Luke]

Given the varying opinions of Catholics on this thread, I think you should have named the thread, “Catholics, Luke 12:35-48.” Looks like there is no unity of opinion there, either.

 

[VisionaryOne]

I’ll take your word for it. Although I’m not aware of any official teaching that says there are seven specific levels in Hell. I’ve heard of the “Third Heaven” as Paul wrote, but even then I really don’t know what he was talking about.

There are a lot of Saints throughout history who have seen a vision of Heaven and have confirmed there are different stages. Stages are what we call ranks. We will see those we love but out our rank would different to them. We would be like a soldier with a rank and they are civilians.

The seven levels of hell and levels of Purgatory both come from Dante, as far as I know.

Dante was a Catholic who was exiled. Most of what he says are true but even more dark is the sight of hell’s torments then what he has explained. I am not sure where he got his resource from at that time. However, many Saints and Doctors of the Church confirm that Hell has different levels of torment because the justice of God is fair across the border.

 

[Joe_Kelley]

I’ll take your word for it. Although I’m not aware of any official teaching that says there are seven specific levels in Hell. I’ve heard of the “Third Heaven” as Paul wrote, but even then I really don’t know what he was talking about.

I think Saint Paul’s Third Heaven is the spiritual realm. As I recall the First Heaven is the realm of the birds, and the Second the realm of the stars.