I suppose Catholics believe in Purgatory simply because their religion teaches that.
REPLY:
I suppose Catholics believe in Purgatory simply because their religion teaches that. There might be a few verses that in the bible that support this theory however there are other verses as well that strictly contradict it. My main concern regarding this doctrine of the Roman Catholic Church is why does the Church get to decide to make up doctrines such as these? I honestly think it would have been only right if Jesus Himself taught us about Purgatory and explained it like he should have.
1st Welcome to CAF!
My mane is Patrick & I’m the OP of this string
As you are new to ACF, you may not be aware yet that this FORUM limits the size of post. So I will be as brief as I can be in addressing you well -articulated concerns.
I’m going to include the bible passages, space permitting. BUT just in case, here is a FREE site you can use to look them up for yourself.
http://drbo.org/
Catholic teachings flow from historical, biblical and Sacred Tradition. The Bible BTW is a Catholic Book. It was the early Catholic Fathers who selected the 67 OT books to be included, guided by the HS in doing so. And it was the Early Church Fathers who actually AUTHORED the ENTIRE 27 book NT
So a partial answer to your WHY Question rest in the FACT that the authors and birthers of the bible were chosen by GOD, and protected by GOD to teach ALL of His truths. Which Can OMLY be singular per defined issue. Nothing else is logical, moral or possible.
In reading these passages please pay CLOSE attention to the singular tense words that the GOD inspired authors choose to use. THIS IS THE VERY SHORT VERSION
Before I get into this, permit me to ask for your evidence that the bible Cf:”has contradictory teachings” on this subject. I’d like to clear that up too
**1. Mt 10: parts of 1-8 **
And having called his twelve disciples together, he [CHRIST] gave THEM power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of diseases, and all manner of infirmities. And the names of the twelve apostles are these: THE FIRST Simon who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, THESE twelve Jesus sent: commanding THEM saying: Go YOU not into the way of the Gentiles, and into the city of the Samaritans enter ye not. But go YOU; Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out devils
2. Mt 16:16-19
Simon Peter answered AND SAID: Thou art Christ, the Son of the living God. And JESUS answering, TO HIM: Blessed art YOU, Simon Bar-Jona: because flesh and blood hath not revealed it to THEE, but my Father who is in heaven. AndI SAY to YOU: That thou art Peter; and upon [YOU PETER] this rock I will build MY CHURCH [SINGULAR],
and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I WILL give to YOU [PETER DIRECTLY & EXCLUSIVELY[ ALL OF IMPLIED] the keys of the kingdom of heaven. And whatsoever YOU shalt bind [TEACH] upon earth, it shall be bound also in heaven: and whatsoever YOU shalt loose [MAKE VOID BY YOUR TEACHING] upon earth, it shall be loosed also in heaven
3. John 17:17-20
[YOU GOD THE FATHER REQUESTED BY JESUS; DIRECTLY AND EXCLUSIVELY TO HIS APOSTLES] Sanctify THEM in truth. Thy word IS TRUTH [GOD CANNOT DENY HIS OWN REQUEST]. As THOU hast sent ME into the world, I [CHRIST] also have sent THEM into the world. AND FOR THEM [EXCLUSIVELY & DIRECTLY] DO I [CHRIST] SANCTIFY [THAT IS OFFER] MYSELF, that THEY ALSO WILL be sanctified in truth. And not for them only do I pray, but for them also who through their word shall believe in me
4. Mt 28:19-20
And JESUS coming, spoke TO THEM, saying: All power is given to me in heaven and in earth. Going therefore, TEACH YOU ALL NATIONS; baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Teaching them to observe ALL THINGS whatsoever II GOD HAVE commanded YOU [DIRECT & EXCLUSIVE]: and behold I am WITH YOU all days, even to the consummation of the world.
Another issue that I have is the church teaches Purgatory are for those who need to be cleansed. however Catholics believe saints who die as “saints” have a straight ticket to heaven whereas heaven is a place of PERFECT bliss. Now I don’t think any catholic would debate that any saint who died were hundred percent perfect.
Friend toy ALMOST “got it”
“saints” fall into 2 categories.
1 Those recognized by the magisterium [Catholic Teaching authority and guided by the HS] as having died with their Souls in a PERFECT STATE [no sin and no Temporal Punishment that all sins acquire] [SAINTS} with a capitol “S”
Hence they ARE truly perfect.
The process is termed Canonization and as the NORM, requires impartial scientific- evidence of 2 miracles; which means GOD had the final WORD in this declaration
2. Are ALL of those souls who do eventually attain heaven ONCE their souls have been perfected through the purgation of Purgatory. Nothing imperfect CAN enter in t the Beatific Vision [meeting GOD “Face to face.”] God is WORTHY and accepts nothing less than PERFECTION into His Divine & Perfect Presence; and GOD makes such a difficult, BUT true possibility.
So YES MY FRIEND, we would “debate it”
So, does this not mean that everybody who at least are not doomed in the hell fire DESERVE to go to purgatory. Whether you die as a saint or not…nobody is perfect and NOBODY is hundred percent clean. So, I beg the question…does this not mean even those who do die in state of grace must be purged to be cleansed before the lord?
That my friend under-estimates the POWER of GOD, POSSIBLE effects of GRACE& the resolve of those Saints [BIG “S”], who the Church, guided by the HS has Canonized.
WELCOEM to CAF!
God Bless you,
Patrick [PJM] here on CAF