Purgatory

Question 1

Outline purgatory

Answer 1

Catholic teaching mentioned by early Christian thinkers including Augustine

According to Catholics:

1. Some souls are not in a sufficient state of grace to warrant heaven = need a cleaning process
2. Also maybe some need for pain or punishment but not eternally in Hell
3. Purging sins in this life (Confession) with repentance also helps

Question 2

Who developed this doctrine of purgatory?

Answer 2

Karl Rainer.

Karl Rainer developed this doctrine of purgatory arguing that the soul becomes aware of the consequences of sin, especially in individuals own sin, before judgement.

The pain is more the self-inflicted pain of recognising your wrong doings (Think of a Christmas Carol)

Purgatory is learning and repenting the consequences of the sin you have committed

Question 3

What is the Protestant Churches view on Purgatory

Answer 3

Protestants do not believe in purgatory as it is not a biblical concept (they follow the belief of sola scriptura) and does not support Jesus’ death on the cross and the subsequent salvation.

E.g. Jesus never spoke of three days in purgatory

Question 4

Who developed the idea of purgatory in the 6th century

Answer 4

Pope Gregory in the 6th century developed this idea from Jesus:

“ anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven…either in this age to the age to come”

Pope Gregory take the interpretation from Jesus that this is referring to purgatory.

Pope Gregory saw this passage as forgiveness, not just in this life - but the next.