Is Purgatory real? It seems Highly Un-biblical?

Purgatory has nothing to do with working off our sins. Purgatory is about how God purifies us before we enter heaven because "nothing unclean can enter heaven" (Rev. 21:27). Everyone going through the purgatory process has been saved because of Jesus Christ and what he did for us. Purgatory is about removing the effects of our sins - not the sins themselves. When you sin it has an effect - on you, on the people around you, on your relationship with God. Jesus' sacrifice removed the guilt and damnation of our sins - but not the effects or the suffering of them. Like if a man commits adultery he can be forgiven - but the effects of that sin remain. So if we die in God's grace, but with some of these effects of ours sins - then God will purify us so that we can enter heaven.

"The work of each will builder will come to light, for the day will disclose it. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire [itself] will test the quality of each one's work. If the work stands that someone built upon the foundation, that person will receive a wage. But if someone’s work is burned up, that one will suffer loss, the person will be saved, but only as through fire." (1 Corinthians 3:11-15). This is about the Catholic concept of purgatory.

So purgatory is not about debt (because Jesus paid the entire debt for us). It's about discipline. Say I got into trouble with the mob who was going to kill me because I stole something from them. My father would come and pay off the people so that I wouldn't be killed (eternal damnation). My father would have "paid in full" the debt I owe. I would owe nothing. But when I got home, my father would probably give me some consequences, not because he hated me or because I owed him a debt, but because he loved me. It is no longer about "debt", it's about "discipline." There is a difference.

"My child, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, or lose heart when you are punished by him; for the Lord disciplines those he loves and chastises every child whom he accepts. Endure trials for the sake of discipline. God is treating you as children; for what child is there whom a parent does not discipline? If you do not have the discipline in which all children share, then you are illegitimate and not his children; Moreover, we had human parents to discipline us, and we respected them. Should we not be even more willing to be subject to the Father of spirits and? live? For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share his holiness. Now, discipline always seems painful rather than pleasant at the time, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness" (Heb12:5-13)

1) Is Purgatory real?

Various Bible passages make it seem as if something *like* Purgatory must exist, though the Bible does not support *all* of the characteristics assigned to the doctrine of Purgatory.

2) It seems Highly Un-biblical?

Irrelevant. For example: church buildings are "highly un-Biblical". If Purgatory were **contrary** to the Bible, then we would have grounds for condemnation. If Purgatory were by some other means *proved* to be false, then we would have grounds for condemnation. Since neither of those is true, what we have is a case that is described here:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=rom%20...

3) I believe is false for if JESUS our lord and savior died on the cross for us (TO PAY FOR OUR SINS) and if we repent why should we have to work off our sins?

The idea is NOT that we "work off our sins". The idea is that we remain impure - despite being forgiven - until we have been purified in Purgatory. The idea is that even after our sins have been forgiven, we still possess a sinful nature (or, alternately, the spiritual effect of our sins remain in us) that must be purified. Also is the consideration of "minor" sins that people failed to properly repent during life (because of forgetfulness or because they were not aware of the sinfulness of those acts).

Here is more info from the **official** Roman Catholic document:

http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P2N.HTM

Here is a formally-approved Catholic defense of that doctrine

http://www.catholic.com/tracts/purgatory

- Jim, Fundamentalist Christian, http://www.bible-reviews.com/

Definition: “According to the teaching of the [Roman Catholic] Church, the state, place, or condition in the next world . . . where the souls of those who die in the state of grace, but not yet free from all imperfection, make expiation for unforgiven venial sins or for the temporal punishment due to venial and mortal sins that have already been forgiven and, by so doing, are purified before they enter heaven.” (New Catholic Encyclopedia, 1967, Vol. XI, p. 1034) Not a Bible teaching.

On what is the teaching of purgatory based?

After reviewing what Catholic writers have said regarding such texts as 2 Maccabees 12:39-45, Matthew 12:32, and 1 Corinthians 3:10-15, the New Catholic Encyclopedia (1967, Vol. XI, p. 1034) acknowledges: “In the final analysis, the Catholic doctrine on purgatory is based on tradition, not Sacred Scripture.”

“The church has relied on tradition to support a middle ground between heaven and hell.”—U.S. Catholic, March 1981, p. 7.

Purgatory is real. It is this life. Here and now, in this life is the threshing place, the place wherein we are refined. As for some other existence where purification happens, no, it's here. Then, we move on to heaven or hell.

The Catholic Church which invented an other purgatory was making stuff up. Limbo was invented also for that category of situations wherein we just plain don't know what happens (to innocents who die).

Karen,

Legalism of any kind can corrupt a person. I wouldn't be too much of a judge of what Roman Catholics do if I was an Apostolic Pentecostal. I hope that's not what you mean. That denomination is just as bad, and I'm speaking from personal experience!

All are still sinners down here on this earth. Don't let any pastor tell you any different. Sinners we are, saved by grace in a constant supply of faith, not of works (so don't trust in tongues, don't trust in not wearing makeup, don't trust in not watching TV.) Trust in Christ.

Unbiblical? Well, then YOU don't know the Bible!

Purgatory

A State After Death of Suffering and Forgiveness

Purification After Death By Fire

http://www.scripturecatholic.com/purgatory.html

The belief is that you are saved, but you are not fully in union with God when you die (unless special things happen, in which case you are automatically joined with Christ, because you were joined with him when you died - typically just something for saints and martyrs). The definition of salvation is that your soul (intellect and will) is aligned with God, as are your desires. You can be aligned with God and not be fully immersed in him; it's a result of sin unattoned for. That's what purgatory is for: removing those subtle imperfections which prevent full union with God.

The distinction between forgiveness of sins and he consequences of sins is critical to understanding why Catholics do not deny the saving act of Jesus death. If you insist there is no distinction then there's not much more to say other than we don't think that way.

Just think about the consequences of the sin of Adam and Eve and tell me whether or not Jesus death erased that sin.

Assuming for the sake of argument this belief is highly unbiblical, a Catholic would say, "So what." Is it contra biblical? Sola scriptura is contra biblical.

The last four Popes have remained neutral on the matter. There is not an *infallible* writing on the matter anywhere. We do believe that nothing unpure goes in the presence of God; and that we will be refined as gold is refined.