Please click here to read Why Purgatory Is Necessary – Part 1.
Heart and Soul
Good and evil desires come from the soul. Jesus says, “But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a man. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, fornication, theft, false witness, slander” (Mt 15:18-19).
And we know from St. Paul that the heart of which Jesus speaks is not the muscle responsible for pumping blood throughout our bodies, and it is not “the flesh.” Rather, it is a place within deepest recesses of the human person, the soul.
In his letter to the Romans, St. Paul writes, “For he is not a real Jew who is one outwardly, nor is true circumcision something external and physical. He is a Jew who is one inwardly, and real circumcision is a matter of the heart, spiritual and not literal” (Rom 2:27-28).
Additionally, Scripture attributes evil desires to the soul just as Jesus attributes them to the heart. Proverbs 21:10 states, “The soul of the wicked desires evil, and Sirach 18:30 adds, “If you allow your soul to take pleasure in base desire….” Micah 7:3 reiterates this, saying, “…the [materially] great man utters the evil desire of his soul.” So, evil desires come from deep within the soul, “the heart.”
Furthermore, common sense tells us that a soul can desire spiritual goods. For example, the soul can desire grace, humility, faith, hope, love, magnanimity, an increase in these, and God, who is infinite Goodness (see 1 Corinthians 12:31 and Philippians 4:8-9).
Conversely, a soul can desire spiritual evils like putting oneself above God or others (i.e., pride), being spiritually lazy (sloth), wishing others did not have the aforementioned spiritual goods (envy), increasing in these evils, and rejecting the above-mentioned goods.
And a soul can desire spiritual goods and evils at the same time (click here to read an article on morality). For instance, a justified person can truly desire spiritual evils such as pride and sloth and struggle with attachments to sinful behaviors while simultaneously loving God (see Mark 4:18-19, Hebrews 12:4, and 1 Corinthians 10:12-13). The struggle with these evils out of love for God proves two things: a) that grace is working in the soul and b) that the person is still attached to their sinful behaviors.
Punishment and Perfection in Purgatory
Even Adam and Eve, whom God created full of grace, desired what God told them they could not have. Although their prelapsarian (before the Fall) nature was not inclined to evil and had no attachments to sin, upon being tempted by another (i.e., Satan), they nevertheless formed a desire to violate God’s command.
So, a justified person with a fallen nature can certainly have disordered desires and attachments that need to be purged. This purgation must happen before one enters Heaven.
Next, as I mentioned above, forgiveness removes neither punishment nor the need for it. Although God justifies us when we repent and turn to Him, punishment and the need for it continue to exist.
For example, after God forgives us, He does not take away the punishments described in Genesis 3. These include losing the right to grace, increased pain during childbirth, obtaining food with difficulty, bodily death, and banishment from the Garden. All people in this life, even those with sanctifying grace, continue to exist under these punishments today.
Consequently, some means must exist for one who dies in a state of grace to receive any remaining punishment for sin and have all attachments to sin completely purged before entering Heaven. The Catholic Church calls this place or condition of purgation Purgatory. Scripture also provides plenty of evidence, and I believe proof, for Purgatory’s existence.
Scriptural Proof for Purgatory
I attribute much of the following to John Martignoni at the Bible Christian Society.
- 2 Samuel 13:18 –David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” And Nathan said to David, “The Lord also has put away (or forgiven) your sin; you shall not die. Nevertheless, because by this deed you have utterly scorned the Lord, the child that is born to you shall die.” See also 2 Samuel 24:1, 10-15 in which God punished David and the Israelites after David asked for forgiveness.
God then executed David’s punishment and the child died. Hebrews 12:1-29 (primarily 3-12) explains that God punishes his children, those whom he loves. He does this for discipline and to bring about the fruits or righteousness. Finally, we are all subject to the punishments (i.e., bodily death, banishment from Eden, pain in childbearing for women, and laborious work for men) of Original Sin even after we are justified (Gen 3:16-24).
Therefore, forgiveness does not negate punishment, and God punishes His children whom He “receives” to discipline and purify them.
Principle # 1 – There is punishment for sin even after one has received forgiveness.
- Revelation 21:27 – “But nothing unclean shall enter it” (the New Jerusalem; Heaven).
Principle # 2 is self-explanatory. A person with the slightest attachment to sin shall not enter Heaven.
- Matthew 5:48 – “You must be perfect as the heavenly Father is perfect.” This is because of principle # 2.
- Hebrews 12:22-23 – “But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem…and to a judge who is God of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect….”
Principle # 3 – Something happens after bodily death that causes our spirits to be made perfect.
- 1 Corinthians 3:13-15:
According to the commission of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and another man is building upon it. Let each man take care how he builds upon it. For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble—Each man’s work will become manifest; for the Day (judgment day) will disclose it, because it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work which any man has built on the foundation (Christ) survives, he will receive a reward. If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.
1st – Christ is the foundation upon which we build with works, some good, some less good, and some bad. 2nd – Fire will reveal these works after death. 3rd – When God burns up the bad works, the person will suffer. Therefore, the works are part of the person. God does not somehow separate the works and then burn them up. 4th – This cleansing fire saves the person.
Principle # 4 – After bodily death, a person’s bad works will be burned away and will cause suffering. This cannot happen in Heaven because there is no suffering in heaven. It cannot happen in Hell because Hell is eternal. And the description of events in this passage envisages a temporary suffering within a state of being saved.
Principles 1-4 tell us that Purgatory exists.
Purgatory is God’s Mercy
Protestants unreasonably object to the Church’s teaching on Purgatory. They believe Jesus’ Passion and Death removed all need for punishment for those who are in Him. However, their conclusion is fallacious because Jesus did not die to redeem us from all punishment. Rather, He died to redeem us from eternal death. He literally purchased us back from the eternal death into which Adam and Eve had sold the human race.
So, Purgatory does not replace Christ’s action on the Cross. Instead, it is an extension of Christ’s action, which is an act of mercy. God could simply say, I have forgiven you, but you are not perfect/clean. Therefore, depart from me for eternity. Thankfully, God helps us to enter His Kingdom via forgiveness and a final purgation that completely purifies our souls.
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19 thoughts on “Why Purgatory Is Necessary – Part 2”
Purgatory would not exist unless humans existed.
Humans are contingent beings.
Therefore, the existence of Purgatory is contingent.
Yeah, I know you didn’t mean “necessary” in that sense, but words have meanings, and we should be very careful with them.
Outis, like you said, “words have meanings,” and I used “necessary” correctly because Purgatory is necessary for the justified sinner who is not perfectly sanctified at death. If this article was about Purgatory depending on human existence, it would be a very short and useless article. Of course it depends on human existence, of course it’s contingent. No one is debating this. You should probably enlighten yourself on the Purgatory debate.
Dear Nate—I apologize for the delay in responding to you; I was out of town. Feel free to stomping on me as much as you like, if it makes you feel better; I have a pretty thick hide. I must say, however, your response to my substantive criticisms was extremely weak. (I did enjoy your 50-headed chicken, however: did you think it up on your own., or did it come from some other source?)
Best wishes—Bob Emery
Hey Bob. My article and my response completely refuted your nonsense. God bless!
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Nate, Thanks for this and all the research. If there was no purgatory, my hope would be lessened. Look, I know how imperfect I am and what I have done over the last 77 years. I have been redeemed and I have gone to confession. And if there was no purgatory, and Jesus told me you are not going to hell, knowing I showed up in torn jeans and a dirty T, I would ask Him if there was a place I could go clean up first. He would understand-don’t want to enter the feast til shirt white and pants pressed. I think we are not “condemned” to purgatory. I think we will truly freely choose it. Guy, Texas
I completely agree, Guy. Your statement about the torn jeans reminds me of CS Lewis’s statement, “I’d rather be cleaned first,” on this topic, which is dead on. Thanks for your comment!
A lot of us read and listen to Catholic Answers. I think that is a good place to start in discussing Purgatory. Try “Is Purgatory in the Bible”, does one have amazon prime, they have that 90 minute movie titled that. Amazon additionally has books. I tend to like some of the more recent treatments on the topic.
Who would like updated information on Purgatory from a heavenly visitation?
The incredible joys of a heavenly visitation are life changing and inspiring on many levels. A three nights visitation with two basic themes. The first two nights were dedicated to an evangelistic gift from heaven of a “Thank You Jesus” remembrance card to be given out freely to all Christians. Information below and on my website. This has been a joyous effort to pursue and leading towards the National Eucharist Congress in Indianapolis in July and beyond. My efforts have been 99% in this first directive and have brought me immense joy and reasonable results.
However, the third night’s visitation was stressed extremely strongly and is important to heaven. It was regarding Purgatory. As a former Lutheran, my knowledge of Purgatory fundamentals is extremely poor. But the heavenly visitor stressed the importance and I have failed to pass on this information and its proper importance. Your help is needed in this area.
Very briefly, it was a validation of Padre Pios appeal to pray for those in purgatory.
The heavenly visitor turned to me in a most serious manner and said these exact words. … “Purgatory is a real place. The people in purgatory are too often forgotten and ignored. They need our prayers. This card is very important. Our prayers will help. These cards will also help.”
I cannot overemphasize the strength of this third night’s request. Various bishops are aware of the first two nights evangelical cards and support their giveaway as basic and biblical. They help, however do not officially authorize any person’s unprovable personal revelation. I am on my own with their unauthorized approval. This area was difficult enough and I only hinted at the purgatory portion to a couple of diocese personnel.
I feel I have failed in this area and would love your input on how to present this most critical area to churches, diocese, and church management.
With deepest respect and heaven’s guiding hands,
Phil Hughes.
Website (personally created I did not want a commercial look.)
freethankyoujesuscard.com
Than you for the comment, Richard! Unfortunately, I have no idea how to get this info into the right hands. I’m sorry.
Books on the Divine Mercy are a cottage industry now. Just like when I go into the Catholic store, 2 shelves at least on St Therese de Lisieux, similar with St. Faustina and the Divine Mercy but it has its detractors. I pray for the holy souls in Purgatory, yet, the detractors work against that which is catastsrophic if they are wrong. We must be charitable but need to work out our salvation with fear and trembling -Philippians 2:12. We can not allow ourselves to be diverted from helping others wherever they may be by an apologetics matter. There are plenty of such references on the web. Aiding those in Purgatory with prayer is a work of mercy. We may help them reach heaven, a noble endeavor. And there, they may pray for you.
Did Jesus tell us about purgatory? Did He tell us to pray for them?
What was His command to the apostles?
What is the message from Jesus through John in the Book of Revelation?
Thank you for your comments, Faithful! They are relevant and they add to the conversation.
Robert, does the Bible say that Jesus told us everything regarding faith and morality? If so, where?
Nate:
So you are God?
This comment perfectly exemplifies why I will delete your future comments.
As a Protestant, I still do not understand “purgatory.” As you yourself say, “Since we could never repay God for sins we commit, His Son, who is infinite and whose salvific works have infinite value, offered Himself as the eternal Sacrifice for our sins.” The salvation achieved by our blessed Lord Jesus Christ for predestined saints is “of infinite value”: if the Lord’s grace is sufficient to achieve this miraculous blessing, it is surely sufficient to remit whatever comparatively minor penalties accompany the forgiven sin. You seem to doubt the power of our Lord to forgive sin when you suggest that the forgiven sinner must do something more than believe in the Lord’s saving blood so as to achieve complete remission of results of sin. To doubt or limit the power of the Lord can only be described as unchristian!
Hello Bob. You have a few problems here. First, you begin with “I still do not understand…,” then you state that I seem to “doubt the power of our Lord.” Accordingly, you have reached a conclusion that is based on your own ignorance. This is quite ridiculous. You must first understand and then you can conclude.
Second, I know that you understand the doctrine of Purgatory because I and countless others have explained it thoroughly. You are not suffering from an intellectual problem; you are suffering from a denial problem that you then portray as not understanding. In other words, you know, but you refuse to believe.
Third, just because God can do something does not mean that He does it. God could make a 50-headed chicken, but you and I both know that He has never done this. Similarly, God could remove all punishments from the repentant sinner, but Hebrews 12 says that God punishes the justified sinner (those whom He receives) unto holiness. You did not attack this passage because you know that you can’t. It stands as a prooftext that God punishes the justified.
Fourth, Hebrews 12:8 states that those who are left without discipline (punishment unto complete moral perfection) are illegitimate children. By refusing to acknowledge that God disciplines his disciples, you make yourself an illegitimate child. So, it is you who doubt the power and justice of our Lord, and it is you who can only be described as unchristian.
Bob,
With respect to this topic, I believe that he could have looked at other passages of scripture in his evaluation of the existence of purgatory.
For example, he might take a look at Job 14, Daniel 12, Ecclesiastes 9, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17, Revelation 14 and 21.
But it is only my opinion as a questioning Catholic.
Robert,
I deleted the first part of your comment because it has nothing to do with the subject at hand. Also, you have a tough time learning. So, let me explain your future as it relates to my articles. You will directly address the article or I will delete your comments. If you attack me, I will delete your comments. Very simple. Your childish behavior will not be tolerated.