Why do Protestants object to Purgatory?

[believers]

Cont… (for believers)

None of us are perfect and clean as the driven snow right? I hope we can all agree on that. We are all sinners. But God is Mercy in deed. And one of the ways that God shows us His Mercy is through Purgatory. I thank God for Purgatory! Why? Because if there was no purgatory a great majority of us would end up in Hell.

These next passages say that nothing unclean can enter into Heaven. But then read what it says after that too;
26 The treasure and wealth of the nations will be brought there,
27 but nothing unclean will enter it, nor any (one) who does
abominable things or tells lies. Only those will enter whose
names are written in the Lamb’s book of life. Rev 21:26-27

Just because we are “unclean” does not mean that God did not forgive us. I come to that conclusion because of the next line. The next passage says “NOR anyone who does abominable things or tells lies.” Why does it have to specify here something different OTHER than “unclean.” I would think that the “unclean” can still be purified in Purgatory and the OTHER might not even be forgiven at all, therefore not entering into heaven. That is the way that I see this passage.

You can go to this great website, Scripture Catholic and read a lot more about Catholic Doctrine in Sacred Scripture.

Thank God for Jesus. Our Lord and Savior. Through Jesus we receive atonement. If you are not in right standing with God before you die you go to hell not purgatory. Baptism does not wash away your sin of Adam. Jesus did that on the cross.

 

[believers]

“One Baptism for the forgiveness of sins”

CCC 977 Our Lord tied the forgiveness of sins to faith and Baptism: "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation. He who believes and is baptized will be saved."521 Baptism is the first and chief sacrament of forgiveness of sins because it unites us with Christ, who died for our sins and rose for our justification, so that "we too might walk in newness of life."522

CCC 978 "When we made our first profession of faith while receiving the holy Baptism that cleansed us, the forgiveness we received then was so full and complete that there remained in us absolutely nothing left to efface, neither original sin nor offenses committed by our own will, nor was there left any penalty to suffer in order to expiate them. . . . Yet the grace of Baptism delivers no one from all the weakness of nature. On the contrary, we must still combat the movements of concupiscence that never cease leading us into evil "523

CCC 979 In this battle against our inclination towards evil, who could be brave and watchful enough to escape every wound of sin? "If the Church has the power to forgive sins, then Baptism cannot be her only means of using the keys of the Kingdom of heaven received from Jesus Christ. The Church must be able to forgive all penitents their offenses, even if they should sin until the last moment of their lives."524

CCC 980 It is through the sacrament of Penance that the baptized can be reconciled with God and with the Church:

Penance has rightly been called by the holy Fathers “a laborious kind of baptism.” This sacrament of Penance is necessary for salvation for those who have fallen after Baptism, just as Baptism is necessary for salvation for those who have not yet been reborn.525

521 Mk 16:15-16.
522 Rom 6:4; Cf. 4:25.
523 Roman Catechism I, 11,3.
524 Roman Catechism I, 11,4.
525 Council Of Trent (1551): DS 1672; Cf. St. Gregory Of Nazianzus, Oratio 39,17G 36,356

**Now, may I ask of you the following: Please show me in the Bible, by book (it can be either OT or NT), chapter, and verse, which books specifically and identifiably are stated and defined to belong in the bible. Thak you. **

I don’t use the Catechism because it’s not the inspired Word of God. So if you don’t mind, please use book, chapter, & verse from the Word of God only. Thanks

Here’s more of my favorites:

2Ti 3:16
All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

Pro 15:10
Correction [is] grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: [and] he that hateth reproof shall die.

 

[jim1130]

Thank God for Jesus. Our Lord and Savior. Through Jesus we receive atonement. If you are not in right standing with God before you die you go to hell not purgatory. Baptism does not wash away your sin of Adam. Jesus did that on the cross.

Yes, thank God that our Lord Jesus Christ established for us the Sacrament of Reconciliaiton since none of us, no matter how faithful, are immune from sin, and the Sacrament of Reconciliaton allows us to remain righteous and sinless before God.

You seem to think that “faith” absolves us of all sin, but we are human and it is our nature to sin. I do not see Purgatory as punishment, but as an act of a generous and loving God that while we are deserving of heaven our earthly sins may accompany us, and since sin cannot be before God we must be purified of our sin.

 

[jim1130]

jim1130:

“One Baptism for the forgiveness of sins”

CCC 977 Our Lord tied the forgiveness of sins to faith and Baptism: "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation. He who believes and is baptized will be saved."521 Baptism is the first and chief sacrament of forgiveness of sins because it unites us with Christ, who died for our sins and rose for our justification, so that "we too might walk in newness of life."522

CCC 978 "When we made our first profession of faith while receiving the holy Baptism that cleansed us, the forgiveness we received then was so full and complete that there remained in us absolutely nothing left to efface, neither original sin nor offenses committed by our own will, nor was there left any penalty to suffer in order to expiate them. . . . Yet the grace of Baptism delivers no one from all the weakness of nature. On the contrary, we must still combat the movements of concupiscence that never cease leading us into evil "523

CCC 979 In this battle against our inclination towards evil, who could be brave and watchful enough to escape every wound of sin? "If the Church has the power to forgive sins, then Baptism cannot be her only means of using the keys of the Kingdom of heaven received from Jesus Christ. The Church must be able to forgive all penitents their offenses, even if they should sin until the last moment of their lives."524

CCC 980 It is through the sacrament of Penance that the baptized can be reconciled with God and with the Church:

Penance has rightly been called by the holy Fathers “a laborious kind of baptism.” This sacrament of Penance is necessary for salvation for those who have fallen after Baptism, just as Baptism is necessary for salvation for those who have not yet been reborn.525

521 Mk 16:15-16.
522 Rom 6:4; Cf. 4:25.
523 Roman Catechism I, 11,3.
524 Roman Catechism I, 11,4.
525 Council Of Trent (1551): DS 1672; Cf. St. Gregory Of Nazianzus, Oratio 39,17G 36,356

Now, may I ask of you the following: Please show me in the Bible, by book (it can be either OT or NT), chapter, and verse, which books specifically and identifiably are stated and defined to belong in the bible. Thank you.

I don’t use the Catechism because it’s not the inspired Word of God. So if you don’t mind, please use book, chapter, & verse from the Word of God only. Thanks

I included footnotes that showed books, chapters, and verses for Baptism.

How do you know that the Bible is the inspired Word of God?

by the way, you never did answer my questionlease show me in the Bible, by book (it can be either OT or NT), chapter, and verse, which books specifically and identifiably are stated and defined to belong in the bible.

Thank you.

 

[jim1130]

I don’t use the Catechism because it’s not the inspired Word of God. So if you don’t mind, please use book, chapter, & verse from the Word of God only. Thanks

Here’s more of my favorites:

2Ti 3:16
All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
.

The key word is “profitable.” No reference is made that it is the sole and lone doctrine.

Also, wasn’t Timothy talking of the OT here?

And if you take Timothy literally to support your position then why not take the following literally for the Eucharist

Matthew 26:26-28
Mark 14:22,24
Luke 22;19-20
John 6
1 Corinthians 11:24-25

 

[believers]

**Now, may I ask of you the following: Please show me in the Bible, by book (it can be either OT or NT), chapter, and verse, which books specifically and identifiably are stated and defined to belong in the bible. Thak you. **

There is no contradiction in the Word of God. It’s pure. If it doesn’t line up with the Word, then it’s not the Word.

 

[believers]

The key word is “profitable.” No reference is made that it is the sole and lone doctrine.

Also, wasn’t Timothy talking of the OT here?

And if you take Timothy literally to support your position then why not take the following literally for the Eucharist

Matthew 26:26-28
Mark 14:22,24
Luke 22;19-20
John 6
1 Corinthians 11:24-25

Hbr 4:12
For the word of God [is] quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and [is] a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

2Ti 3:16
All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

Pro 15:10
Correction [is] grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: [and] he that hateth **reproof **SHALL DIE.

That goes beyond Sola scriptura… Not only is it good enough ALONE… If you hate reproof by the Word, the bible says you shall die.

 

[believers]

The key word is “profitable.” No reference is made that it is the sole and lone doctrine.

Also, wasn’t Timothy talking of the OT here?

And if you take Timothy literally to support your position then why not take the following literally for the Eucharist

Matthew 26:26-28
Mark 14:22,24
Luke 22;19-20
John 6
1 Corinthians 11:24-25

Jesus was referring to spiritual things. Not a wafer.

Hbr 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

 

[jim1130]

jim1130:

Now, may I ask of you the following: Please show me in the Bible, by book (it can be either OT or NT), chapter, and verse, which books specifically and identifiably are stated and defined to belong in the bible. Thak you.

believers:

There is no contradiction in the Word of God. It’s pure. If it doesn’t line up with the Word, then it’s not the Word.

That is a non-answer.

But how do you know which books belong in the Bible? And how do you know that the Bible is the inspired word of God?

 

[jim1130]

Hbr 4:12
For the word of God [is] quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and [is] a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

2Ti 3:16
All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

Pro 15:10
Correction [is] grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: [and] he that hateth **reproof **SHALL DIE.

That goes beyond Sola scriptura… Not only is it good enough ALONE… If you hate reproof by the Word, the bible says you shall die.

More non-answers.

I bolded the judgment call. Thanks.

 

[jim1130]

Jesus was referring to spiritual things. Not a wafer.

Hbr 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Jesus said This is my body, this is my blood. Does not get anymore definitive than that.

What do the Early church Fathers have to say on the Eucharist?

“They abstain from the Eucharist and from prayer, because they confess not the Eucharist to be the flesh of our Saviour Jesus Christ, which suffered for our sins, and which the Father, of His goodness, raised up again.” Ignatius of Antioch, Epistle to Smyrnaeans, 7,1 (c. A.D. 110).

“For not as common bread and common drink do we receive these; but in like manner as Jesus Christ our Saviour, having been made flesh and blood for our salvation, so likewise have we been taught that the food which is blessed by the prayer of His word, and from which our blood and flesh by transmutation are nourished, is the flesh and blood of that Jesus who was made flesh.” Justin Martyr, First Apology, 66 (c. A.D. 110-165).

I would think you need to re-consider your position that the Eucharist is a 'wafer."

 

[MariaG]

You guys keep saying that it’s biblical. Then where in the bible does it say this?

This is just one of the scripture passages that we have for Purgatory.
Mat 5:25-26

Mat 18:29-35

Luke 12:58-59

These next passages speak of “another” place besides Heaven & Hell;
Mat 12:30-32

Luke 16:27-31

…Cont

Are you aware that not one of you verses has anything to with dying and getting somehow cleansed then going to heaven? You are taking verses OUT OF CONTEXT. You can make the bible say anything you want by doing that.

The whole concept of purgatory cannot exist if you believe that we receive atonement through Jesus.

Mat 5:25-26 Has absolutely nothing to do with dying and going to a place to like purgatory. Jesus is telling us to make peace with our brothers so we do not fall in danger of the judgement. Sorry… no purgatory in those verses or any of the ones you pointed out.

Not true.

Explanation from Scripture Catholic.

Matt. 5:26,18:34; Luke 12:58-59 – Jesus teaches us, “Come to terms with your opponent or you will be handed over to the judge and thrown into prison. You will not get out until you have paid the last penny.” The word “opponent” (antidiko) is likely a reference to the devil (see the same word for devil in 1 Pet. 5:8) who is an accuser against man (c.f. Job 1.6-12; Zech. 3.1; Rev. 12.10), and God is the judge. If we have not adequately dealt with satan and sin in this life, we will be held in a temporary state called a prison, and we won’t get out until we have satisfied our entire debt to God. This “prison” is purgatory where we will not get out until the last penny is paid.

As to Matthew 12:32 this one speaks directly to there being of a place other than heaven and hell.

From Scripture Catholic
Matt. 12:32 – Jesus says, “And anyone who says a word against the Son of man will be forgiven; but no one who speaks against the Holy Spirit will be forgiven either in this world or in the next.” Jesus thus clearly provides that there is forgiveness after death. The phrase “in the next” (from the Greek “en to mellonti”) generally refers to the afterlife (see, for example, Mark 10.30; Luke 18.30; 20.34-35; Eph. 1.21 for similar language). Forgiveness is not necessary in heaven, and there is no forgiveness in hell. This proves that there is another state after death, and the Church for 2,000 years has called this state purgatory.

From Scripture Catholic
Luke 16:19-31 - in this story, we see that the dead rich man is suffering but still feels compassion for his brothers and wants to warn them of his place of suffering. But there is no suffering in heaven or compassion in hell because compassion is a grace from God and those in hell are deprived from God’s graces for all eternity. So where is the rich man? He is in purgatory.

God Bless,
Maria

 

[believers]

That is a non-answer.

But how do you know which books belong in the Bible? And how do you know that the Bible is the inspired word of God?

That means you cannot add anything to the Bible that contradicts the Word of God. Purgatory contradicts the Word of God.

 

[jmcrae]

That means you cannot add anything to the Bible that contradicts the Word of God. Purgatory contradicts the Word of God.

How do you conclude that Purgatory “contradicts” the Word of God?

Isn’t the Bible the Word of God?

Purgatory (the concept behind it; not the word itself) is in the Bible - the Bible is emphatic that we must become purified before we can enter Heaven.

 

[Sixtus]

Originally Posted by Sixtus
Why do Protestants object to Pergatory when it is a Biblical concept. It was also believed by the Jews of Jesus day.In that snese belief in Purgatory was not created by the CC but inherited from it’s earliest roots of Judaism. There is no evidence that the Lord refuted this teaching. So why do Protestants not accept it?

Because when we are washed clean in the blood of the Lamb, there is no need for anything else. The cross is enough.

1 Cor. 6: 11

But surely it is disrespectful and inconsiderate of the Blessed Lord to say that He did all the work, I can sit back, sin and all will be ok because I am saved?

Despite of my total unworthiness of Almighty God, I am not only good enough but am equal to His divine Son in total worthiness to meet Almighty God.

Perish the thought. That to me is blasphemy

 

[MariaG]

That means you cannot add anything to the Bible that contradicts the Word of God. Purgatory contradicts the Word of God.

This bears repeating since you seem not to have heard this yet.

Scripture tells us nothing unclean will enter heaven.

Rev. 21:27 There shall not enter into it any thing defiled, or that worketh abomination or maketh a lie, but they that are written in the book of life of the Lamb.

From Scripture Catholic
Rev. 21:27 - nothing unclean shall enter heaven. The word “unclean” comes from the Greek word “koinon” which refers to a spiritual corruption. Even the propensity to sin is spiritually corrupt, or considered unclean, and must be purified before entering heaven. It is amazing how many Protestants do not want to believe in purgatory. Purgatory exists because of the mercy of God. If there were no purgatory, this would also likely mean no salvation for most people. God is merciful indeed.

Scripture also tells us that one’s work will be tested as if by fire. Some of this “work” will burn but he himself will still be saved.

1Cor 3:11For other foundation no man can lay, but that which is laid; which is Christ Jesus. 12 Now if any man build upon this foundation, gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble: 13 Every man’s work shall be manifest; for the day of the Lord shall declare it, because it shall be revealed in fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work, of what sort it is. 14 If any man’s work abide, which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15 If any man’s work burn, he shall suffer loss; but he himself shall be saved, yet so as by fire.

This fire, this cleansing fire has been given the name purgatory.

From commentary in the Douay-Rheims Bible

12 “Upon this foundation”… The foundation is Christ and his doctrine: or the true faith in him, working through charity. The building upon this foundation gold, silver, and precious stones, signifies the more perfect preaching and practice of the gospel; the wood, hay, and stubble, such preaching as that of the Corinthian teachers (who affected the pomp of words and human eloquence) and such practice as is mixed with much imperfection, and many lesser sins. Now the day of the Lord, and his fiery trial, (in the particular judgment immediately after death,) shall make manifest of what sort every man’s work has been: of which, during this life, it is hard to make a judgment. For then the fire of God’s judgment shall try every man’s work. And they, whose works, like wood, hay, and stubble, cannot abide the fire, shall suffer loss; these works being found to be of no value; yet they themselves, having built upon the right foundation, (by living and dying in the true faith and in the state of grace, though with some imperfection,) shall be saved yet so as by fire; being liable to this punishment, by reason of the wood, hay, and stubble, which was mixed with their building.

Purgatory is the name given to the biblical concept of a man’s work being burned as if through fire but he will still be saved.

If you disagree, kindly give your interpretation of those verses.

God Bless,
Maria

 

[AlegreFe]

Are you aware that not one of you verses has anything to with dying and getting somehow cleansed then going to heaven? You are taking verses OUT OF CONTEXT. You can make the bible say anything you want by doing that.

I guess I have to put part of my post here again because you didn’t seem to read it fully.

• Where exactly in the Bible is the word “Trinity?”
• Where exactly in the bible does it explicitly say that
  “Jesus is God” in those exact words?
• Where exactly in the Bible does it say that in order
  to be saved you have to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior?
• Where exactly in the Bible does it say that there can
  be thirty-three thousand different denominations of Christianity?
• Where exactly in the Bible does it say that the “Bible Alone”
  is the foundation for truth?
• Where exactly in the Bible does it say that “Faith Alone
  saves you?”
• Where exactly in the Bible does it have the word “Bible?”

There are more I’m sure. If we were to only look for exact words in the Bible for meanings, we would not find them most of the time. I did not take anything out of context. Protestants seem to want to take everything in the bible on a literal basis. BUT when it comes to John 6, Protestants don’t take that literally. Jesus told us to eat his flesh and drink his blood. Plain and very CLEAR & simple as to what we have to do in order to be raised on the last day. We are to abide in Him and one way to do that is to eat His flesh and drink His blood. But many Protestants don’t believe that. I know there are some that do, but I’m not addressing this to those Protestants. The matter of the Real Presence is a different matter, different topic, different thread.

No matter what I say to you about those passages that mean Purgatory, you will not believe or accept it. So I won’t waste my time. It is what it is and that’s it. The only thing that I can do is PRAY for YOU so that God can open up your eyes, heart and mind to this particular truth. And it is an OBJECTIVE truth. Purgatory does not exist based on my faith. It exists because it does, plain & simple. I can’t “wish” purgatory away. I can’t “believe” it away. At the same time, I cannot “believe” purgatory into existance. It is already there whether you believe it or not.

So tell me, who gave you the authority to say that those verses do not mean purgatory? Jesus Christ gave the Catholic Church the guarantee of the Holy Spirit. Peter is the Rock on which Jesus built His Church. St. Peter is our first Pope. Jesus said, “I will build MY Church” not your church or your pastor’s church.

The Catholic Church has Apostolic Succession and all the history of Sacred Tradition. The Church and Tradition came long BEFORE the Bible did. The Bible cannot tell you what certain scripture passages mean. There has to be another authority to tell you what certain scripture passages mean. The “pillar and foundation of truth” is NOT the Bible. It’s the CHURCH. The Catholic Church has the Catechism to help Catholics translate certain verses. That Catechism comes from the Magisteriam of the Church. The Head of the Church has the Holy Spirit to guide the Pope to teach us.

What kind of structure do you have? Who or what is your authority or teacher? And don’t say Jesus Christ or the Holy Spirit. I know that is the answer but I mean someone here on earth to act as a Prime Minister that has the guarentee of the Holy Spirit to teach about Scripture & Tradition and Faith & Morals, and to teach it infallibly. When it comes to faith & morals, our Pope cannot make a mistake and he doesn’t. I thank the Holy Spirit for that. Otherwise we Catholics would all be scattered like sheep without a shephard. God forbid that we Catholics all scatter so that instead of aproximately 33,000 different denominations there would be 50 or 60 thousand different denominations. God would NEVER let HIS Church prevail. Jesus told Peter that when He gave Peter the Keys to the Kingdom. And we all know that God does not lie.

Peace and God bless.

 

[jim1130]

That means you cannot add anything to the Bible that contradicts the Word of God. Purgatory contradicts the Word of God.

"jim1130:

That is a non-answer, again.

But how do you know which books belong in the Bible? And how do you know that the Bible is the inspired word of God?

That means you cannot add anything to the Bible that contradicts the Word of God. Purgatory contradicts the Word of God.

You continue to post non-answers. Purgatory is scriptural.

2 Macc. 12:43-45 and 1 Peter 3:19; 4:6

Now, will you answer my questions that you try to avoid?

Please show me in the Bible, by book (it can be either OT or NT), chapter, and verse, which books specifically and identifiably are stated and defined to belong in the bible. How do you know that the Bible is the inspired word of God?

Thank you.

 

[flameburns623]

In the Christian view? Christianity rejects? Are you saying Catholics are not Christians?

No. I am saying that Catholic theology deviates in a number of ways from Christian theology, particularly when it comes to doctrines surrounding Purgatory, Mariology/hagiology, and a few other areas. Not to the degree that Roman Catholicism qualifies as a ‘cult’ or as a heresy; but there is a much wider divide between RCC theology and Christian theology on a few select issues, to the degree that it must needs be driven home that Catholics depart an dangerous ways from the Faith once delivered to the Saints on these issues.

Maybe you would like to clarify that by stating a denomination since your statements are excluding Catholics from being defined as Christian? . . . .

You suffer from a fundamental misconception: Christianity is not co-identical with any denomination or other organization. Christianity is about being found ‘in Christ’ at the last Day, about being of the number of His Elect. Hence, I look forward to spending eternity in Heaven, with Jesus, with any number of Roman Catholic brothers and sisters, many of whom will likely be astonished that they are not compelled to await their Lord and Master in some misery-inducing purgatorial anteroom of Heavenly glory.

Jim1130:

For flameburns, is this all another pitch for “faith is all you need”?

Faith alone is indeed all that saves. Nonetheless the kind of faith that saves is never alone. It motivates one to good deeds.

Christ’s death was complete, but that does not excuse us of our individual accountability.

I guess the “cloak of righteousness” says to me that we are never truly purified of sin; that the “cloak” merely covers or hides our true unworthiness (as if this “disguise” fools God). Does this mean that we sneak into heaven under the disguise of righteousness?

Wow. You must’ve been reading the Reformers. Except for the crack about ‘fooling God’ you have virtually paraphrased them. God, by the way, is omniscient and not ‘fooled’: He simply, by His own sovereign choice, decides to view His Elect through the Blood of Christ.

Baptism washes away our original sin, but, given our free will, not our inclination to sin.

Baptism, even in RCC theology, also washes away ‘actual sins’. What you are calling our ‘inclination to sin’ is that part of us that is dead already in Christ, that part which is killing us every day, that part of us that will be buried with us when we die.

‘Free will’ by the way is not a Biblical idea, not a Christian notion. It was smuggled into Christianity by way of the pagan philosophy of Plato.

AllegraFe: I mean to respond to you in a bit more depth but time has not been on my side lately. Sorry.

 

[MariaG]

No. I am saying that Catholic theology deviates in a number of ways from Christian theology, particularly when it comes to doctrines surrounding Purgatory, Mariology/hagiology, and a few other areas. Not to the degree that Roman Catholicism qualifies as a ‘cult’ or as a heresy; but there is a much wider divide between RCC theology and Christian theology on a few select issues, to the degree that it must needs be driven home that Catholics depart an dangerous ways from the Faith once delivered to the Saints on these issues.

Since I completely disagree with you and in fact have found the Catholic Church to the most biblical Church around.

The CATHOLIC Church including Roman Rite Catholics have Christian theology.

I will leave this here because I do believe you are sincerely motivated because you fear for our souls and not for any other reason. While I understand your wish to “drive home” the divide, you quite simply are wrong.

You suffer from a fundamental misconception: Christianity is not co-identical with any denomination or other organization. Christianity is about being found ‘in Christ’ at the last Day, about being of the number of His Elect. Hence, I look forward to spending eternity in Heaven, with Jesus, with any number of Roman Catholic brothers and sisters, many of whom will likely be astonished that they are not compelled to await their Lord and Master in some misery-inducing purgatorial anteroom of Heavenly glory.

Since you words were in effect barring the Catholic Church and her teachings from the realm of Christianity, I stand by them.

I do not in fact “suffer” from this misconception. I do in fact believe in one universal Church. I also do not have the problem of suffering from the mistaken notion that there is not ALSO a visible Church as well as an invisible Church made up of Christ’s now broken and divided Church. And that if that visible Church fell into heretical teachings, then scripture is a lie since the Church, the pillar and foundation of truth cannot teach falsehood.

As for 'waiting in an anteroom" since the official definition of purgatory does not in fact contain reference to a place at all, but is a definition of how one will be made perfectly clean. This action is made possible/is done through the saving blood of our Lord.

So unless you do not think all you sins are not going to be washed away in the blood of Christ, you are closer to agreement in the Catholic teaching of purgatory than you seem to realize.

Faith alone is indeed all that saves. Nonetheless the kind of faith that saves is never alone. It motivates one to good deeds.

Respectfully, Grace alone saves. Grace brings faith and faith does indeed motivate one to good deeds.

The term faith alone although when used by most non-Catholic Christians is meant in the same manner as Catholics use Grace alone, the term faith alone directly contradicts scripture that tells us we are not in fact saved by faith alone since any truth faith will motivate one to good deeds.

Baptism, even in RCC theology, also washes away ‘actual sins’. What you are calling our ‘inclination to sin’ is that part of us that is dead already in Christ, that part which is killing us every day, that part of us that will be buried with us when we die.

That is right. This inclination to sin *will be *buried with us when we die. More exactly, it will be purged through a cleansing fire.

This inclination to sin being buried, this purging has been named Purgatory by the Catholic Church. You say it will be buried when we die. We say it will be purged through purgatory, noting that this is not defined as a place but rather the action.

Your sister in Christ,
Maria