The Lack of Consistency in Theological Teaching about Purgatory

[JanR]

So, their entering the hereafter with our love and the love of others would have no influence on God;s judgment of them? I know there’s no guarantee our loved ones will be saved, and it ultimately has to be up to them to make peace with God and repent, but I would think that entering the forever realm with the love and forgiveness received from those closest to them on earth being the last thing they experience before they die would present before God as part of their being, and mean something to our benevolent Creator. Would he not take that into consideration when making his judgment? It might not change the final outcome, but wouldn’t it have some bearing on the overall picture of this person’s life?

 

[Tis_Bearself]

So, their entering the hereafter with our love and the love of others would have no influence on God;s judgment of them?

Again, God didn’t say he judges a person based on how many people on earth love and forgive them.

That would be grossly unfair as the person cannot control whether people he wrongs will forgive him, or whether they will carry the grudge to their own grave. It would be making a person’s salvation contingent on the actions of other people rather than on his own actions.

Let’s say two murderers each kill a victim. Murderer A kills Victim A. Victim A’s family are strong Christians and although they are very upset about the murder, they forgive Murderer A because it’s what Christ would want them to do.

Murderer B kills Victim B in the exact same way. Victim B’s family are not the forgiving sort and they vow that they will never forgive Murderer B and will continue to hate him forever. Murderer B even writes them many letters of heartfelt apology from his prison cell, but they won’t budge.

If God decides he’s going to go easy on Murderer A just because he picked a victim with a forgiving family, whereas Murderer B picked a different victim, then that would not make sense.

 

[porthos11]

poche:

There is also an incident where someone who was in Purgatory freely chose to return there rather than to face the incertainty of salvation in this life.

Sorry but I don’t understand what this means. Can you clarify this for me.
If a person is in Purgatory it means they have died. They cannot return to life on earth and then go back to Purgatory again. The next step from Purgatory is Heaven. Once in Heaven you cannot go back to Purgatory.

This likely refers to stories of people who miraculously came back to life temporarily to fulfill a specific purpose (e.g. testify to exonerate an innocent accused), then said that they would rather die again and continue their Purgatory than return to the wayfaring state.

 

[JanR]

I think you’re missing the point I’m trying to make. Never mind.

 

[thistle]

I think you’re missing the point I’m trying to make. Never mind.

The state of your soul at death is what you are judged on. Nothing can change that once you are dead.
If you die in a state of mortal sin you go immediately to Hell and no amount of good deeds done during your life and no amount of love and forgiveness from others even just before death has any impact on that.