turzovka
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- Nov 20, 2012
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Virtually none of the common man could read all those centuries. And there were no hand written Bibles to hand out until the 1400s and the printing press. But let us leave that aside for the moment.
I do not know what your book “The Creeds of Christiandom” is claiming, but if they are implying that nothing could be known or dogmatic until the Bible was codified, they are flat out wrong. If they are saying the Church somehow lost its credibility when Constantine made it the Church for Romans, again, that is baloney. What teachings changed at that moment, by the way, since Protestants embrace the early Church but are quick to assemble this dividing line?
As many have said, and it is true, the Bible is the book of the Church, more so than the Church is the church of the Bible. Jesus established His Church with Peter as the first head of the Church. Jesus made it clear that it would be the authority to rule on earth – - “…whatsoever you hold bound on earth shall be held bound in heaven.” “I give thee the keys of the kingdom.” “Whose sins you do not forgive, shall not be forgiven in heaven.” These words do not carry any significance for you?
I could go on and on with Scripture verses making your “immediate entry into heaven upon death” highly problematic for most believers. Suffice it to say, protestant theology has so many unanswered and troubling questions it makes God look like a legalist following every single letter of the law. How cruel! God’s mercy is extened to all men. The Catholic Church is very clear on this. Vatican II: “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.”
Scripture is clear enough on this as well: Romans 2:14-15 “For when Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law to themselves, in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them.” [and] Acts 10:34-35 “Opening his mouth, Peter said: "I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality, but in every nation the man who fears Him and does what is right is welcome to Him.” [and] John 9:39-41 "I came into this world," said Jesus, "to judge men, that those who do not see may see, and that those who do see may become blind." These words were heard by those of the Pharisees who were present, and they asked Him, "Are we also blind?" "If you were blind," answered Jesus, "you would have no sin; but as a matter of fact you boast that you see. So your sin remains!"
God speaks to this in other passages, in other ways. As for purgatory, how can it be any other way? Here is a question for you Protestants --- those who say the only ones allowed into heaven are those who confess with their lips that Jesus is they Lord and Savior; and also perhaps those who have not reached the age of accountability ---- Does an 11 year old Hindu boy get to go to heaven if he dies? How about a 12 year old? 13? If at some point this Hindu boy has become “accountable” as you say, then I suppose it can be isolated down to the very day he crosses over, correct? You get my point? It is total baloney. God is merciful to all, he surely does not send people to hell for not having heard the gospel, just as surely as he does not allow Bob Boaster into heaven just because he believed, yet sinned gratuitously. None of that lines up with the mercy and justice of God.
There are scores of verses in Scripture that are referring primarily to purgatory. I will make note of only a couple here. And if you are to ask me why would God not make it more clear I would answer so so-called “believers and Christians” do not get lazy with their faith and obedience and settle for the bare minimum to escape hell and still have fun on earth. Not unlike why God does not make it clear when Jesus will return --- again, so fools do not have fun and dalliances and then stop just a month before Jesus return to get right with God. People do try to shortcut their obligations wherever and as often as they can.
Matthew 5:23-26
"Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering. Reconcile with your opponent at law while you are with him on the way, so that your opponent may not hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. Truly I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid up the last penny.”
[Jesus is assuring us (“truly I say to you”
that we will pay (be imprisoned) for a portion our transgressions until we have paid the last penny if we do not forgive others or obey. The key word is until. It is clear that once we have paid for our sins, then we will be released from our prison. That is not Hell because Hell is eternal. This is not an earthly reference as many who are to be saved have died without fulfilling all the requirements this passage implies. This is referring to purgatory where you will be eventually released.]Luke 12:45-48
But if that slave says in his heart, 'My master will be a long time in coming,' and begins to beat the slaves, both men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk: the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know, and will cut him in pieces, and assign him a place with the unbelievers. And that slave who knew his master's will and did not get ready or act in accord with his will, will receive many lashes, but the one who did not know it, and committed deeds worthy of a flogging, will receive but few. From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more.
[The one slave who was not as guilty because he was somewhat ignorant of the gravity of his sins will receive less lashes. Note, he will still be punished, but not as severely. This is clearly not talking about hell, it is about some punishment that is less than eternal. It is purgatory once again. Different degrees of punishment which is how many have described it. Also, to whom more has been given (i.e. knowledge, riches, revelation, opportunity, etc.) more will be required; otherwise something consequential results. ]
1 Corinthians 3:12-15
Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each man's work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man's work. If any man's work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. If any man's work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.
[Saved, but still will suffer loss as yet through fire. Protestants can argue this is some earthly punishment, not an afterlife matter, but I, and the Catholic Church, say not so. This is so much better explained as a purgatory sentence. Purgatory is a cleansing fire.]
