- Aug 11, 2017
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I notice that in the Roman Catholic Catechism Matthew 12:32-36 is used as evidence to support forgiveness of sin in the age to come which refers to after this world. Here’s a quote directly from the Catechism.
The tradition of the Church, by reference to certain texts of Scripture, speaks of a cleansing fire. [Cf. 1 Cor 3:15; 1 Pet 1:7.] As for certain lesser faults, we must believe that, before the Final Judgment, there is a purifying fire. He who is truth says that whoever utters blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will be pardoned neither in this age nor in the age to come. From this sentence we understand that certain offenses can be forgiven in this age, but certain others in the age to come. [St. Gregory the Great, Dial. 4, 39: PL 77, 396; cf. Mt 12:32-36.]"
The problem I see is that Jesus didn’t actually say that sins will be forgiven in the age to come He specifically said the opposite. Furthermore in Luke 12:10, one of the parallel verses to this passage Jesus specifically states that sin against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven period.
“And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him.”
Luke 12:10 NASB1995
So their premise regarding Matthew 12:32-36 being evidence of forgiveness of sin in the afterlife is actually in opposition to the parallel verse of Luke 12:10.
The tradition of the Church, by reference to certain texts of Scripture, speaks of a cleansing fire. [Cf. 1 Cor 3:15; 1 Pet 1:7.] As for certain lesser faults, we must believe that, before the Final Judgment, there is a purifying fire. He who is truth says that whoever utters blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will be pardoned neither in this age nor in the age to come. From this sentence we understand that certain offenses can be forgiven in this age, but certain others in the age to come. [St. Gregory the Great, Dial. 4, 39: PL 77, 396; cf. Mt 12:32-36.]"
The problem I see is that Jesus didn’t actually say that sins will be forgiven in the age to come He specifically said the opposite. Furthermore in Luke 12:10, one of the parallel verses to this passage Jesus specifically states that sin against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven period.
“And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him.”
Luke 12:10 NASB1995
So their premise regarding Matthew 12:32-36 being evidence of forgiveness of sin in the afterlife is actually in opposition to the parallel verse of Luke 12:10.