(Protestant) Minister Who Had Near-Death Episode Believes In Purgatory

Spirit Daily ^ | 2005 | Michael Brown

[mike182d]

In the last passage quoted from Matt 25: 31, it is apparant that the sheep separated were not cognizant they had fed, clothed or cared for His brethren, they acted in faith.

Actually, following that line of logic, if they were not cognizant of it being Christ they served, it would follow, necessarily, the God rewards those who aren't aware they're serving Christ and think they're serving someone else. This would open up the possibility of people who do not know Christ but do good works of service entering into heaven.

There's nothing in there that mentions directly, or indirectly, faith in Christ.

I'm not even sure if we're debating anything in particular and we may, in fact, be in agreement. It is the position of the Catholic Church that God rewards people for works done in faith. The more I look at this discussion, the less I see disagreement over this point.

[mike182d]

You have raised some good points and I also need to review them further. Thanks for your response.

You're most welcome. I never grow tired of discussing our Lord. :-)

So, thank you for the cordial discourse. Its refreshing in this thread, lol.

[Cvengr]

The second part of the conjunction is adding more to waht is stated. Yes, not knowing whom is being served is rewarded, but not necessarily believing they were serving another person by mistake. The faith alone is a discerning element between the two scenarios.

I also agree that there might be some who do not know Christ by a particular name, yet know Him through faith, as He is also known by over some 350 names in Scripture.

I suspect there are many Muslims who might actually be saved, but would be reclassified as backslidden believers focusing on the soulish rather than returning to Him by faith in Him.

It is interesting to observe how many other religions attempt to counterfeit or synthesize the experience of the spirit by physical and soulish behavior. Acts that come to mind are whirling dirvishes, cutting the forehead in Islam, chanting mantras, and many of the figures that are depicted in other religious symbols that are from spiritual experience. A major difference between those religions and fellowship with God is that men attempt to bring God to them in those religions, while through Christ, we already have the Word available to us and indwelling in us while in fellowship with Him, yet experience isn't mandated, rather continuing sanctification is the immediate direct benefit.

[Invincibly Ignorant]

Why are you so mean?

We're still waiting. :-)

[SoothingDave]

There's a difference between observant and mean. I gave Mr. Hairinmynose ample opportunity to disprove my observation.

SD

[Invincibly Ignorant]

Then why are you always so observant? :-)

[SoothingDave]

Birds gotta fly, fish gotta swim...

SD

[AnalogReigns]

Most of these doctrines showed up (and were and are read-into previous Church father's writings) about the 12th Century.

[Campion]

Most of these doctrines showed up (and were and are read-into previous Church father's writings) about the 12th Century.

Which doctrines?

Indulgences were given out all over the place in the 12th Century, so it's a safe bet that the doctrine which underlies them, purgatory, was widely believed long before that. It doesn't make much sense to promise someone a pardon from purgatory unless they actually believe in it.

Tertullian (2nd century) mentions Christians praying for the dead, which we know is just the continuation into Christianity of Jewish custom.

Prayer for the dead implies a state or condition other than heaven or hell, which the Latin fathers call "purgatory".

Most of the Catholic doctrines Protestants reject are much older than the 12th Century, and can be shown from patristic writings dated from before the time the NT canon was fixed.