Will Protestants go through purgatory?

[Christian_Unity]

What you said is correct…but Purgatory still remains for everyone, even if you do not agree it is real.

Purgatory is a process after death where souls are purged of all that is not holy…Purgatory is for anyone who is not “spotless” upon death…Catholic, Protestant, Buddhist, Muslim…anyone God has Judged to be worthy of Heaven but who is not pure, will be first “cleansed” before “stepping” into the Kingdom.

Like getting your car washed before you drive it away after your wedding.

Hi RoseMary,

Your statement can be interpreted as an apparent universal salvation statement, making faith in Christ as not required for Heaven. Why would Buddhist and Muslims go through purgatory if they do not worship our Triune God, and do not know Christ as their savior and redeemer? Please explain… as I thought purgatory is for those Christians going to Heaven. There are tough Bible verses for those who do not know Christ and His gospel.

 

[Christian_Unity]

They will be forced to listen to Benny Hinn for five centuries.
J/k.

That’s worst than Hell

 

[Timothy_Garber]

Hi RoseMary,

Your statement can be interpreted as an apparent universal salvation statement, making faith in Christ as not required for Heaven. Why would Buddhist and Muslims go through purgatory if they do not worship our Triune God, and do not know Christ as their savior and redeemer? Please explain… as I thought purgatory is for those Christians going to Heaven. There are tough Bible verses for those who do not know Christ and His gospel.

She said that they were worthy of entering heaven, so just because they did not know God doesn’t mean they cannot go into heaven.

Why did you ask this question if you won’t accept the answers?

 

[Julia_Mae]

On a Christian Fellowship Facebook site consisting of both Catholics and Protestants, one of the Catholic Members brought up purgatory. Since Protestants generally do not believe in the doctrine of purgatory, what does the Catholic Church teach about Protestants going to purgatory even though most of us do not believe in it? Will Protestants still go to purgatory prior to our final Heavenly destination?

Of course. It’s not a matter of what we believe, its a matter of how things actually work. The evidence for and testimony to the existence of a state of being after death that is neither Heaven nor Hell is really too extensive to dismiss.

 

[RoseMary131]

Hi RoseMary,

Your statement can be interpreted as an apparent universal salvation statement, making faith in Christ as not required for Heaven. Why would Buddhist and Muslims go through purgatory if they do not worship our Triune God, and do not know Christ as their savior and redeemer? Please explain… as I thought purgatory is for those Christians going to Heaven. There are tough Bible verses for those who do not know Christ and His gospel.

Purgatory is for “everyone” who is entering Heaven who is not “spotless”. Its not just for Catholic Christians going to Heaven. Its not just for Christians - either with the name Catholic or Protestant.

Catholic teaching is not that only “Christians” judged worthy of Heaven go to Heaven.

Catholic teaching is that anyone judge worthy of Heaven by God will go to Heaven.

 

[Robertanthony]

They will be forced to listen to Benny Hinn for five centuries.
J/k.

Ha ha! youtube.com/watch?v=ydCVAff68oA

 

[Christian_Unity]

Purgatory is for “everyone” who is entering Heaven who is not “spotless”. Its not just for Catholic Christians going to Heaven. Its not just for Christians - either with the name Catholic or Protestant.

Catholic teaching is not that only “Christians” judged worthy of Heaven go to Heaven.

Catholic teaching is that anyone judge worthy of Heaven by God will go to Heaven.

You guys have to understand how I think as a Protestant Christian. I believe that nobody is worthy to go to Heaven on our own merit. It is my understanding that both Catholics and Protestants are enabled to do good works through Christ. We simply believe differently that our works done in Christ as it is applied for justification. So, I get confused how you guys believe non-Christians can do good works on their own without being united to Christ and still enter Heaven. I would like to know the official Catholic Answer on this one. Can someone merit Heaven on their own good works apart from Christ working in them? It almost like saying that Christ did not have to enter this world to live and die, since people can merit Heaven on their own good works. But, help me make sure that I understand what you are actually saying.

 

[rinnie]

On a Christian Fellowship Facebook site consisting of both Catholics and Protestants, one of the Catholic Members brought up purgatory. Since Protestants generally do not believe in the doctrine of purgatory, what does the Catholic Church teach about Protestants going to purgatory even though most of us do not believe in it? Will Protestants still go to purgatory prior to our final Heavenly destination?

They could, or they go go to hell, or straight to heaven. Just like Catholic’s! We are all going to be judged at the moment of our death. Its either hell, heaven or Purgatory. God treats us all the same.

Unless Protestants like Catholic’s also, die as Saints here on this earth, they need the purg time to become oerfected before they enter heaven. Thats what God says anyway. To enter heaven you must go through the final cleansing (that purgatory) unless as I stated you have died a Saint and don’t need it.

 

[rinnie]

You guys have to understand how I think as a Protestant Christian. I believe that nobody is worthy to go to Heaven on our own merit. It is my understanding that both Catholics and Protestants are enabled to do good works through Christ. We simply believe differently that our works done in Christ as it is applied for justification. So, I get confused how you guys believe non-Christians can do good works on their own without being united to Christ and still enter Heaven. I would like to know the official Catholic Answer on this one. Can someone merit Heaven on their own good works apart from Christ working in them? It almost like saying that Christ did not have to enter this world to live and die, since people can merit Heaven on their own good works. But, help me make sure that I understand what you are actually saying.

Well see thats the problem, you don’t understand the Catholic teaching so what makes you think our teachings are different, Let me explain them to you.

We believe that our Salvation comes from Christ and Christ alone on the cross. But it does not end there, Unfortunately Jesus didn’t do everything for us. He made it possible for us to enter heaven, but we must also do our share.

And unfortunately our share is to obey his commands and do his work here on earth. As the bible tells us faith without works are fruitless. Let me explain.

You have a neighbor and needs your help, you have alot of faith, and believe in God with all your heart and soul, but your faith in God is not going to help your neighbor, So you either USE that faith and do GODS WORKS and make them your works or your faith is fruitless.

So do we earn our salvation, No, God did that for us, he made the path. But it is our works and our faith that we must USE to follow the correct path.

So do we have a choice in keeping our Salvation, Yes we do, Its our works and our faith that God judges us on.

Now you explain this to me, how does any of what I said, translate to our doing good works by using our faith and doing God work, mean we are not united to Christ?

 

[R_C]

You guys understand that I personally believe Protestants have a free “get out of jail” Monopoly card which we are able to pass purgatory. However, I do believe Catholics still have to go through purgatory since you guys don’t have one of those free “get out of jail” cards. Oh well, we will both end in Heaven on the basis of the person and work of Christ on our behalf.

I think Protestants have a free “spend some more time in Purgatory” card just to realize how big a doctrinal error it was to not pray for those poor souls and to acknowledge how great is the work of the Catholic faithful whose constant prayer is the only means to release them from that time of purification :sad_yes: “Nolite errare: Deus non inridetur.”

 

[R_C]

What about an atheist that leads a moral and righteous life where do you think he will end?
Although if he rejected God will the “work” of his life count for anything?
He had no faith did he?

I don’t know the answer to that It is written: “I will show you my faith from my works”. I believe quite a few “atheists” will have a big shocking and joyful surprise

 

[rinnie]

By the way no one is worthy to get to heaven on their own merit. Simply because we are all sinners. We enter heaven one way and one way only, But the judgement of Christ. He is who picks who does and does not enter heaven.

Catholic teaching is and has always been without the Cross no one would ever get in, But just because Christ made it possible for us to enter heaven by his Cross and gained us Salvation, does not mean we cannot lose Salvation by not using the grace given to us to do the work of Christ.

So a Catholic has never separated Faith and Grace and Works. They are all part of the same package. They work together.

God gave us Grace to have faith, and by using the Grace and Faith we do the works of Christ. Thats pure Catholic teaching. Faith without works is fruitless. Its in the bible.

 

[Timothy_Garber]

You guys have to understand how I think as a Protestant Christian. I believe that nobody is worthy to go to Heaven on our own merit. It is my understanding that both Catholics and Protestants are enabled to do good works through Christ. We simply believe differently that our works done in Christ as it is applied for justification. So, I get confused how you guys believe non-Christians can do good works on their own without being united to Christ and still enter Heaven. I would like to know the official Catholic Answer on this one. Can someone merit Heaven on their own good works apart from Christ working in them? It almost like saying that Christ did not have to enter this world to live and die, since people can merit Heaven on their own good works. But, help me make sure that I understand what you are actually saying.

Well, if you have the luck being able to know Christ, then you are accountable. But say you lived and died as an Native American before the conquests. They had absolutely no knowledge of God. Would it be right to say all those people went to hell? Of course not. God judges them in accordance to how He set rules for them. The Catholic Church doesn’t know what these rules are, but we do know they have a chance of making it into heaven.

So, relating to purgatory, they cannot be martyrs or saints. They are unable to go directly to heaven, so they must be purified before entering.

 

[rinnie]

You guys understand that I personally believe Protestants have a free “get out of jail” Monopoly card which we are able to pass purgatory. However, I do believe Catholics still have to go through purgatory since you guys don’t have one of those free “get out of jail” cards. Oh well, we will both end in Heaven on the basis of the person and work of Christ on our behalf.

Really, then could you explain to me how in the bible it says anyone who denies the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven in this world or the next? Since you are saying there is only earth, heaven and hell, where is this forgiveness given at? In hell? I don’t think so, and there is no forgiveness given in heaven? SO where is this next world that is spoken of in the bible?

Matt. 12:32 Explain it to me then.

 

[R_C]

You guys have to understand how I think as a Protestant Christian. I believe that nobody is worthy to go to Heaven on our own merit. It is my understanding that both Catholics and Protestants are enabled to do good works through Christ. We simply believe differently that our works done in Christ as it is applied for justification. So, I get confused how you guys believe non-Christians can do good works on their own without being united to Christ and still enter Heaven. I would like to know the official Catholic Answer on this one. Can someone merit Heaven on their own good works apart from Christ working in them? It almost like saying that Christ did not have to enter this world to live and die, since people can merit Heaven on their own good works. But, help me make sure that I understand what you are actually saying.

Well well, here it goes, another example of a brother in Christ who lives deprived of 20 centuries of Sacred Tradition and thus struggles ad infinitum with very basic questions, being tempted to give very basic (and irrational) answers in order to justify his non-understanding of those questions Please find below a summary of the teaching of the Church on this matter, and do find out more by reading the Catholic teachings even if you then chose to not follow them. After all, Christians have been following them for 1500 years before Luther, and most of us still follow them

The Church Is One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic:

Who belongs to the Catholic Church?

836 "All men are called to this catholic unity of the People of God. . . . And to it, in different ways, belong or are ordered: the Catholic faithful, others who believe in Christ, and finally all mankind, called by God’s grace to salvation.

837 “Fully incorporated into the society of the Church are those who, possessing the Spirit of Christ, accept all the means of salvation given to the Church together with her entire organization, and who - by the bonds constituted by the profession of faith, the sacraments, ecclesiastical government, and communion - are joined in the visible structure of the Church of Christ, who rules her through the Supreme Pontiff and the bishops. Even though incorporated into the Church, one who does not however persevere in charity is not saved. He remains indeed in the bosom of the Church, but ‘in body’ not ‘in heart.’”

838 "The Church knows that she is joined in many ways to the baptized who are honored by the name of Christian, but do not profess the Catholic faith in its entirety or have not preserved unity or communion under the successor of Peter."322 Those “who believe in Christ and have been properly baptized are put in a certain, although imperfect, communion with the Catholic Church.”

842 The Church’s bond with non-Christian religions is in the first place the common origin and end of the human race:

All nations form but one community. This is so because all stem from the one stock which God created to people the entire earth, and also because all share a common destiny, namely God. His providence, evident goodness, and saving designs extend to all against the day when the elect are gathered together in the holy city.

843 The Catholic Church recognizes in other religions that search, among shadows and images, for the God who is unknown yet near since he gives life and breath and all things and wants all men to be saved. Thus, the Church considers all goodness and truth found in these religions as "a preparation for the Gospel and given by him who enlightens all men that they may at length have life.

“Outside the Church there is no salvation”

846 How are we to understand this affirmation, often repeated by the Church Fathers?335 Re-formulated positively, it means that all salvation comes from Christ the Head through the Church which is his Body:

Basing itself on Scripture and Tradition, the Council teaches that the Church, a pilgrim now on earth, is necessary for salvation: the one Christ is the mediator and the way of salvation; he is present to us in his body which is the Church.

847 This affirmation is not aimed at those who, through no fault of their own, do not know Christ and his Church:

Those who, through no fault of their own, do not know the Gospel of Christ or his Church, but who nevertheless seek God with a sincere heart, and, moved by grace, try in their actions to do his will as they know it through the dictates of their conscience - those too may achieve eternal salvation.

 

[R_C]

Lumen Gentium (a must-read for all Christians who try to understand the teachings of the Catholic Church):

Those also can attain to salvation who through no fault of their own do not know the Gospel of Christ or His Church, yet sincerely seek God and moved by grace strive by their deeds to do His will as it is known to them through the dictates of conscience.(19*) Nor does Divine Providence deny the helps necessary for salvation to those who, without blame on their part, have not yet arrived at an explicit knowledge of God and with His grace strive to live a good life. Whatever good or truth is found amongst them is looked upon by the Church as a preparation for the Gospel.

 

[rinnie]

Pretty fun stuff. In Heaven, I really don’t believe Christians will be divided between Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox communities. I still plan to skip purgatory. Which doctrines really matter in this divided temporal world of Christendom? We share the historic ecumenical creeds like the Apostles and Nicene Creeds. Didn’t the Pope say that Luther was right in regards to Faith alone a few years back? Yep… I do believe in Christian Unity.

No actually he said there is no such thing as faith alone. He said all good things come from the GRACE of God. He said there is no such things as faith ALONE. So how do you feel you can have faith without the Grace of God. Because the Pope says its not possible, but you are correct it is Luthers teaching. Rejected by the Church of course.

 

[Christian_Unity]

Well see thats the problem, you don’t understand the Catholic teaching so what makes you think our teachings are different, Let me explain them to you.

We believe that our Salvation comes from Christ and Christ alone on the cross. But it does not end there, Unfortunately Jesus didn’t do everything for us. He made it possible for us to enter heaven, but we must also do our share.

And unfortunately our share is to obey his commands and do his work here on earth. As the bible tells us faith without works are fruitless. Let me explain.

You have a neighbor and needs your help, you have alot of faith, and believe in God with all your heart and soul, but your faith in God is not going to help your neighbor, So you either USE that faith and do GODS WORKS and make them your works or your faith is fruitless.

So do we earn our salvation, No, God did that for us, he made the path. But it is our works and our faith that we must USE to follow the correct path.

So do we have a choice in keeping our Salvation, Yes we do, Its our works and our faith that God judges us on.

Now you explain this to me, how does any of what I said, translate to our doing good works by using our faith and doing God work, mean we are not united to Christ?

If we listen to each other we are not that far off in regards to Christians going to Heaven (Catholics, Protestants, Orthodox). However, in a pluralistic world, there is pressure for accepting other non-Christians as having a legitimate way to enter Heaven. I just wanted to know what the poster means by Muslims and other non-Christians going to purgatory and entering Heaven without Christ working in them. I didn’t mean to drift in some theological debate on salvation. However, when it appears that some Catholics apparently believe that non-Christians can enter Heaven by personal good works, then I would request clarification.

 

[Timothy_Garber]

Well well, here it goes, another example of a brother in Christ who lives deprived of 20 centuries of Sacred Tradition and thus struggles ad infinitum with very basic questions, being tempted to give very basic (and irrational) answers in the form of questions in order to justify his non-understanding of those questions

The Church Is One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic:

Not to say you are wrong or Christ was irrational, but didn’t He answer in questions as well?

 

[Christian_Unity]

Lumen Gentium (a must-read for all Christians who try to understand the teachings of the Catholic Church):

What does it mean by “no fault of their own”?

Quote:
Those also can attain to salvation who through no fault of their own do not know the Gospel of Christ or His Church, yet sincerely seek God and moved by grace strive by their deeds to do His will as it is known to them through the dictates of conscience.(19*) Nor does Divine Providence deny the helps necessary for salvation to those who, without blame on their part, have not yet arrived at an explicit knowledge of God and with His grace strive to live a good life. Whatever good or truth is found amongst them is looked upon by the Church as a preparation for the Gospel.