Why it is Dangerous Not to Believe in Purgatory

[distracted]

One danger of not believing in Purgatory is that you could easily begin to think either of two things: 1) that you are too bad for Heaven & therefore may as well continue on in your sinful lifestyle…

or 2) you could think that God would never send you to Hell since you try to “be good” some or most of the time… and since you “mean well”, even when you do things you know He doesn’t approve of… you could then make excuses for not trying hard enough to overcome some particular sin…

So - do you believe in Purgatory - or if you are not Catholic… do you at least see the logic of Purgatory??

 

[tGette]

One danger of not believing in Purgatory is that you could easily begin to think either of two things: 1) that you are too bad for Heaven & therefore may as well continue on in your sinful lifestyle…

or 2) you could think that God would never send you to Hell since you try to “be good” some or most of the time… and since you “mean well”, even when you do things you know He doesn’t approve of… you could then make excuses for not trying hard enough to overcome some particular sin…

So - do you believe in Purgatory - or if you are not Catholic… do you at least see the logic of Purgatory??

I think this was addressed to both sides of the fence.

Of course, I believe Purgatory to be real! It is the greatest example of God’s extended mercy!

I think the only danger in not believing in Purgatory is that when you die you will be confused at where you ended up!

 

[distracted]

I think this was addressed to both sides of the fence.

Of course, I believe Purgatory to be real! It is the greatest example of God’s extended mercy!

I think the only danger in not believing in Purgatory is that when you die you will be confused at where you ended up!

this reminds me of something… A lot of people say that you can only send yourself to Hell… that God doesn’t send anyone there… Well, i agree to a point… but was reading in the bible the other day how we are to not fear man… but we are to fear “Him who has the power to (after death) cast you into hellfire…” (something to that effect)…



So maybe some WILL be surprised at where they end up…

hmm…

 

[reteeks21]

One danger of not believing in Purgatory is that you could easily begin to think either of two things: 1) that you are too bad for Heaven & therefore may as well continue on in your sinful lifestyle…

or 2) you could think that God would never send you to Hell since you try to “be good” some or most of the time… and since you “mean well”, even when you do things you know He doesn’t approve of… you could then make excuses for not trying hard enough to overcome some particular sin…

So - do you believe in Purgatory - or if you are not Catholic… do you at least see the logic of Purgatory??

I certainly do, and I like the two points you brought up. I have read, and to an extent tried to come to terms with purgatory, but I’m not quite there…yet (that’s a maybe ). But can I ask you this: what if the whole idea of purgatory is wrong? Would that make a difference to catholics? How would that affect your view of life after death? For us protestants, at least for me, it doesn’t much matter, so how 'bout you guys?

 

[tGette]

this reminds me of something… A lot of people say that you can only send yourself to Hell… that God doesn’t send anyone there… Well, i agree to a point… but was reading in the bible the other day how we are to not fear man… but we are to fear “Him who has the power to (after death) cast you into hellfire…” (something to that effect)…



So maybe some WILL be surprised at where they end up…

hmm…

I see what you mean…though it is God’s grace that does everything. It is God’s grace that keeps hell into existence. (That’s how loving He is that He lets people choose to spend eternity away from Him. Sound cruel? They chose it. They are just getting what they wanted.)

I know I’ll be surprised either way after dying when who knows what the heck happens afterward. I’ll be like…didn’t I just die?

 

[reteeks21]

I see what you mean…though it is God’s grace that does everything. It is God’s grace that keeps hell into existence. (That’s how loving He is that He lets people choose to spend eternity away from Him. Sound cruel? They chose it. They are just getting what they wanted.)

***I know I’ll be surprised either way after dying when who knows what the heck happens afterward. I’ll be like…didn’t I just die?/***QUOTE]

Dude, you are just too funny. My sentiments exactly. Wait a minute. Did a catholic and protestant just agree here? Or better yet…did a protestant just agree with a catholic?!! What in God’s name is going on!

 

[a_mirror_dimly]

One danger of not believing in Purgatory is that you could easily begin to think either of two things: 1) that you are too bad for Heaven & therefore may as well continue on in your sinful lifestyle…

or 2) you could think that God would never send you to Hell since you try to “be good” some or most of the time… and since you “mean well”, even when you do things you know He doesn’t approve of… you could then make excuses for not trying hard enough to overcome some particular sin…

So - do you believe in Purgatory - or if you are not Catholic… do you at least see the logic of Purgatory??

The logic of that certainly makes sense from a utilitarian perspective (i.e. you should believe in this because it produces desirable behavior outcomes), but that doesn’t establish its truth (or falsity) from a theological perspective.

 

[SIA]

One danger of not believing in Purgatory is that you could easily begin to think either of two things: 1) that you are too bad for Heaven & therefore may as well continue on in your sinful lifestyle…

or 2) you could think that God would never send you to Hell since you try to “be good” some or most of the time… and since you “mean well”, even when you do things you know He doesn’t approve of… you could then make excuses for not trying hard enough to overcome some particular sin…

So - do you believe in Purgatory - or if you are not Catholic… do you at least see the logic of Purgatory??

I do not believe in Purgatory. Jesus died for us all. Once for all. Faith, Faith, Faith in Christ. God doesn’t approve of any of us without being clothed in Christ. By grace through faith in Christ, not Purgatory.

 

[tGette]

I do not believe in Purgatory. Jesus died for us all. Once for all. Faith, Faith, Faith in Christ. God doesn’t approve of any of us without being clothed in Christ. By grace through faith in Christ, not Purgatory.

Well…then won’t you be surprised! (Tongue-in-cheek!)

So then when Christ descended into Sheol…does that no longer exist?
Did souls only go to Hell before Jesus’ death?

 

[Hajnalcsillag]

One danger of not believing in Purgatory is that you could easily begin to think either of two things: 1) that you are too bad for Heaven & therefore may as well continue on in your sinful lifestyle…

or 2) you could think that God would never send you to Hell since you try to “be good” some or most of the time… and since you “mean well”, even when you do things you know He doesn’t approve of… you could then make excuses for not trying hard enough to overcome some particular sin…

So - do you believe in Purgatory - or if you are not Catholic… do you at least see the logic of Purgatory??

John 6:66 (interesting bit of numerology) involves the crowds acknowledging a hard teaching and abandoning Jesus.

Whether something is difficult to swallow or accept should have no basis in doctrine. It’s either true or it’s not; people either go to Heaven or Hell. The fact that it’s difficult to accept should really be beside the point.

 

[Hajnalcsillag]

Well…then won’t you be surprised! (Tongue-in-cheek!)

So then when Christ descended into Sheol…does that no longer exist?
Did souls only go to Hell before Jesus’ death?

When Jesus went up the mountain to meet with Moses and Elijah, where were they conjured from?

 

[Reformed]

One danger of not believing in Purgatory is that you could easily begin to think either of two things: 1) that you are too bad for Heaven & therefore may as well continue on in your sinful lifestyle…

or 2) you could think that God would never send you to Hell since you try to “be good” some or most of the time… and since you “mean well”, even when you do things you know He doesn’t approve of… you could then make excuses for not trying hard enough to overcome some particular sin…

So - do you believe in Purgatory - or if you are not Catholic… do you at least see the logic of Purgatory??

NO, I see no logic for purgatory if Christ atoned for our sins. Do you believe Christ atoned for your sins, why or why not?

 

[tGette]

When Jesus went up the mountain to meet with Moses and Elijah, where were they conjured from?

Thanks…my question was rhetorical (I do that a lot on here)
Sorry for the confusion.

It still does not address my main point about Sheol.

This is kind of rhetorical also, if Jesus’ death is what atones for sins, how could Moses and Elijah be in Heaven before the crucifixion?

 

[Reformed]

Thanks…my question was rhetorical (I do that a lot on here)
Sorry for the confusion.

It still does not address my main point about Sheol.

This is kind of rhetorical also, if Jesus’ death is what atones for sins, how could Moses and Elijah be in Heaven before the crucifixion?

If OT Saints were not saved by the cross, then how were OT Saints saved from their sins?

Galatians 3:8

And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “In you shall all the nations be blessed.”

 

[tGette]

If OT Saints were not saved by the cross, then how were OT Saints saved from their sins?

Galatians 3:8

And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “In you shall all the nations be blessed.”

Maybe it’s late.

What?

 

[Reformed]

Maybe it’s late.

What?

Here’s more about Moses and his knowledge of Christ.

23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict. 24 By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 25 choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. 26 He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward. 27 By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing him who is invisible. 28 By faith he kept the Passover and sprinkled the blood, so that the Destroyer of the firstborn might not touch them. - Hebrews 11

And consider what Job proclaimed:

For I know that my Redeemer lives, - The Book of Job

 

[tGette]

Here’s more about Moses and his knowledge of Christ.

23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict. 24 By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 25 choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. 26 He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward. 27 By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing him who is invisible. 28 By faith he kept the Passover and sprinkled the blood, so that the Destroyer of the firstborn might not touch them. - Hebrews 11

And consider what Job proclaimed:

For I know that my Redeemer lives, - The Book of Job

Real quick…how come…it seems like every time you edit your posts? It is like you always get this second inspiration and have to add something! I like it! Or is it intentional in some weird way?

I just do not get the point you are trying to make.

So…Moses was saved by his works?

But they did not have faith in Christ dying on the cross. They know of God…not Jesus Christ.

 

[Hajnalcsillag]

Thanks…my question was rhetorical (I do that a lot on here)
Sorry for the confusion.

It still does not address my main point about Sheol.

This is kind of rhetorical also, if Jesus’ death is what atones for sins, how could Moses and Elijah be in Heaven before the crucifixion?

I’d almost look at Sheol the same way that the Greeks and Romans looked at the other side of Styx. Everyone goes there until the judgment of worthiness into either Paradise or the underworld. So it wouldn’t be a third option upon death (Heaven, Hell, purgatory on the way to Heaven), it would be either everyone to Sheol as a realm of the dead or everyone to Heaven or Hell.

 

[tGette]

Real quick…how come…it seems like every time you edit your posts? It is like you always get this second inspiration and have to add something! I like it! Or is it intentional in some weird way?

I just do not get the point you are trying to make.

So…Moses was saved by his works?

But they did not have faith in Christ dying on the cross. They know of God…not Jesus Christ.

By that last statement, I do not mean to say that Jesus Christ is not God. I had to clear that up!

I meant that they did not know God AS Jesus Christ!

 

[tGette]

Let me ask: (for those who do not believe Purgatory to be real)

Why is belief in Purgatory somehow “saying” that the death of Christ on the cross is deficient or something like that? (However it might be worded by someone. Sorry if MY wording was bad.)

Thanks!

Have a great day everyone!