“Agreed. That’s a key, and oft overlooked, point. If “Purgatory” is true, then you can just chuck the whole book, crucifixion, etc. because Heaven is just a rinse cycle away.”
Purgatory also denies the sufficiency of Christ. Either his sacrifice was good enough, or it wasn’t. And Jesus said, “It is finished.”
I’ll stick with the known word of God, and let the RCC make it up as they go. But I will fight to convince people that the RCC is full of dogma. I’m not saying that there aren’t Catholics going to Heaven, but that is in spike of the RCC.
But we Protestants have our own dangers. The salvation prayer is sending people to Hell. We teach people to just recite these words and they are saved. But if you ask them what they just did, most have no idea. That is no different from the stuff the Catholics do.
No formula of words can do it. Not for Assembly of God, Pentecostal, Baptist, Lutheran, or Catholic. You must understand who He is and choose Him above all else. No formula can substitute for that.
Purgatory actually affirms the sufficiency of Christ. Most Protestants, and many Catholics argue tirelessly about Purgatory without ever having an understanding as to what it actually is. It is not a place. It is not a time. Unless you are claiming that we all die in a state of perfect Grace we leave this world imperfect, with the stain of sin. Purgatory is a process (purgation) not bounded by space or time. It is nothing more than the process or act of final purification of sinners, paid for by Jesus, so that they may enter the glory and infinite perfection of heaven.
Peace be with you