How long does Purgatory last?

[Love365]

How long does Purgatory last?

 

[PloverWing]

Purgatory is purely speculative, so it's anyone's guess whether it exists or how long it lasts.

My own guess is that there is some process by which we're purified of our remaining sinfulness after death. Probably, it lasts as long as it needs to. Something like: How long do you scrub the pot after you've cooked a pot of soup? Well, you scrub it until it's clean. It's not like you're punishing the pot. Rather, you do what's necessary to get those burnt onion bits unstuck from the pan.

 

[RileyG]

Purgatory is RC doctrine only. Not a liberal one.

To answer your question, since God is outside time, we really can't say it "lasts" a short or long time. Rather, one is "in purgatory" until all venal sins/attachment to sins are cleansed via the sacrifice of the Mass and the prayers offered by the faithful.

 

[RileyG]

Purgatory is purely speculative, so it's anyone's guess whether it exists or how long it lasts.

My own guess is that there is some process by which we're purified of our remaining sinfulness after death. Probably, it lasts as long as it needs to. Something like: How long do you scrub the pot after you've cooked a pot of soup? Well, you scrub it until it's clean. It's not like you're punishing the pot. Rather, you do what's necessary to get those burnt onion bits unstuck from the pan.

Interesting to note, there are many prayer for the dead offered in The Book of Common Prayer which is Anglican. I'm sure you know this

 

[Joseph G]

"How long does Purgatory last?"

Forever. The real torture is the damned thinking they are somehow gonna get out one day. And it will be the fires of hell and outer darkness - not a fictional rest stop.

Hehrews 9:27-28 NIV

"Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him."

ie: die, straight to judgement, straight to eternal hell.

Those that teach the concept of purgatory just wanna cling to their pet sins until death when THEY are ready to let go - and not a second before. God will not be mocked.

Read it:

biblegateway.com

 

[RileyG]

Purgatory isn’t hell.

Hell is forever.

 

[PloverWing]

Purgatory is RC doctrine only. Not a liberal one.

I agree that Purgatory is not something I associate with Liberals, as a group, so I'm not sure why the question is posted to WWMC. (@Love365 , why did you pick WWMC for your question?)

Catholics generally believe in Purgatory. Some Episcopalians/Anglicans do as well (39 Articles notwithstanding). But I don't think it's commonly believed by Christians in other churches/denominations. And in any case, it's not one of the Liberal/Conservative distinctions. It's more about how plausible you find the eschatological speculations of Medieval Western Christian theologians.

 

[Love365]

I agree that Purgatory is not something I associate with Liberals, as a group, so I'm not sure why the question is posted to WWMC. (@Love365 , why did you pick WWMC for your question?)

Catholics generally believe in Purgatory. Some Episcopalians/Anglicans do as well (39 Articles notwithstanding). But I don't think it's commonly believed by Christians in other churches/denominations. And in any case, it's not one of the Liberal/Conservative distinctions. It's more about how plausible you find the eschatological speculations of Medieval Western Christian theologians.

They don’t like me to post in the Catholic forum,
because I support making women priests.

 

[hedrick]

We know virtually nothing about the realm in which God exists. Does it even have linear time? 1 Cor 3:12 describes some purging, but it doesnt sound like a time-based punishment.

 

[RileyG]

They don’t like me to post in the Catholic forum,
because I support making women priests.

You are still welcome to post there and ask questions. It's all good.

 

[RileyG]

We know virtually nothing about the realm in which God exists. Does it even have linear time? 1 Cor 3:12 describes some purging, but it doesnt sound like a time-based punishment.

Yup. That's a verse often used to support purgatory.

God exists outside of time, so I wouldn't say it's linear.

 

[hedrick]

Yup. That's a verse often used to support purgatory.

God exists outside of time, so I wouldn't say it's linear.

I'm not so sure what it supports if purgatory. It supports the idea that we will become perfect. But purgatory was (at least in popular thought) considered to be punishment that went on for lolng enough that people on earth could pray for your release. Paul's description doesn't seem much like the medieval purgatory.

 

[RileyG]

I'm not so sure what it supports if purgatory. It supports the idea that we will become perfect. But purgatory was (at least in popular thought) considered to be punishment that went on for lolng enough that people on earth could pray for your release. Paul's description doesn't seem much like the medieval purgatory.

That’s entirely fair

 

[Aaron112]

How long does Purgatory last?

zero. nada. zilch. unpossible.

 

[XianGoth1334]

There may be a place for purgatory in the thinking of some lower-c Catholic churches (i.e. Old Catholic, Episcopal, Lutheran, etc). When we look at all the relevant passages and the writings of early theologians, it is not clear cut that it is a simple heaven / hell dichotomy. I would say that purgatory is a possible outcome. I guess here is what I am trying to say... we know that it does not end well for those who choose evil and actively reject Christ. We know that those who trust in Jesus will be with him in paradise. What we don't always know is what happens to people who did not fully understand / died before their time / etc. I would say that some kind of temporal purgatory is a possibility. I would also say that its possible some may simply cease-to-exist. However, I mainly think that I am not God and that I do not know a lot about what happens when we die so best to err on the side of caution.

 

[RileyG]

zero. nada. zilch. unpossible.

Oh really? I disagree.

 

[RileyG]

There may be a place for purgatory in the thinking of some lower-c Catholic churches (i.e. Old Catholic, Episcopal, Lutheran, etc). When we look at all the relevant passages and the writings of early theologians, it is not clear cut that it is a simple heaven / hell dichotomy. I would say that purgatory is a possible outcome. I guess here is what I am trying to say... we know that it does not end well for those who choose evil and actively reject Christ. We know that those who trust in Jesus will be with him in paradise. What we don't always know is what happens to people who did not fully understand / died before their time / etc. I would say that some kind of temporal purgatory is a possibility. I would also say that it’s possible some may simply cease-to-exist. However, I mainly think that I am not God and that I do not know a lot about what happens when we die so best to err on the side of caution.

Anglicanism and Lutheranism reject purgatory, its purely Catholic doctrine only.

 

[RileyG]

How long does Purgatory last?

Interesting, the early Church offered prayers for the dead, and all apostolic Churches pray for the dead.

 

[XianGoth1334]

Anglicanism and Lutheranism reject purgatory, its purely Catholic doctrine only.

Officially, yes. Some individuals within these traditions do believe in some Catholic doctrines regarding purgatory, the blessed ever-virgin Mother of God, praying to Saints, etc. What do you with someone who believes Roman Catholicism lost its way on some things (priestly celibacy for example) who also thinks the Reformers delivered a mix bag of help and harm?

 

[linux.poet]

MOD HAT ON​

This thread has been moved from Whosoever Will May Come - Liberal to Denomination Specific Theology. ​

MOD HAT OFF​