How long does Purgatory last?

[prodromos]

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

Nothing at all to do with the Catholic doctrine of Purgatory. I don't know why you keep bringing it up. If anything it is strong evidence against the Catholic doctrine, so you are not doing yourself any favours.

 

[The Liturgist]

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

Most of them do not believe in purgatory however.

 

[RileyG]

Most of them do not believe in purgatory however.

Correct

 

[RileyG]

Nothing at all to do with the Catholic doctrine of Purgatory. I don't know why you keep bringing it up. If anything it is strong evidence against the Catholic doctrine, so you are not doing yourself any favours.

Purgatory is praying for the dead, I’m only mentioning prayers for the faithful departed is an ancient practice, is all.

 

[prodromos]

Purgatory is praying for the dead, I’m only mentioning prayers for the faithful departed is an ancient practice, is all.

Purgatory is much, much more than simply praying for the dead, and like I said, the fact that all the ancient churches pray for their dead yet none have a concept of purgatory except Rome, is evidence that it is not true but is a late Catholic innovation.

 

[RileyG]

Purgatory is much, much more than simply praying for the dead, and like I said, the fact that all the ancient churches pray for their dead yet none have a concept of purgatory except Rome, is evidence that it is not true but is a late Catholic innovation.

Some of the medieval imagery is certainly an “invention” but cleansing before the beatific vision isn’t late at all. It just developed over time.

 

[prodromos]

Some of the medieval imagery is certainly an “invention” but cleansing before the beatific vision isn’t late at all. It just developed over time.

 

[RileyG]

Thank you for the video. I do appreciate your insight.

God bless

 

[FireDragon76]

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

That shouldn't be understood to imply that purgatory is a doctrine in Anglicanism.

Anglicans or Lutherans may pray for the dead because it is desired. Beyond that, no doctrinal explanation is offered.

 

[RileyG]

That shouldn't be understood to imply that purgatory is a doctrine in Anglicanism.

Anglicans or Lutherans may pray for the dead because it is desired. Beyond that, no doctrinal explanation is offered.

Just so I'm clear, I wasn't implying purgatory. Only prayers for the dead. Which is different.

The better question is, do Anglicans OR Lutherans continue to pray for the dead ad nauseam (centuries upon centuries) after the faithful Christian is deceased? I do not know. I doubt it.

***Purgatory is Catholic doctrine ONLY. NO other Christian body teaches it. Although, some, such as the ancient Churches, such as the Orthodox Churches (Eastern Orthodox & Oriental Orthodox), Ancient Church of the East, Assyrian Church of the East, etc do offer abundant prayer for the dead. ****

 

[FireDragon76]

Just so I'm clear, I wasn't implying purgatory. Only prayers for the dead. Which is different.

The better question is, do Anglicans OR Lutherans continue to pray for the dead ad nauseam (centuries upon centuries) after the faithful Christian is deceased? I do not know. I doubt it.

That's correct.

It might interest you to know that in my own current denomination, the funeral rite contains an implicit prayer for the deceased. It's broadly similar to the rite used in the Book of Common Prayer. On All Saints Day, we also have a tolling of the bells and another implicit prayer for those who have died the previous year.

 

[RileyG]

That's correct.

It might interest you to know that in my own current denomination, the funeral rite contains an implicit prayer for the deceased. It's broadly similar to the rite used in the Book of Common Prayer. On All Saints Day, we also have a tolling of the bells and another implicit prayer for those who have died the previous year.

To be fair, with the Communion of Saints, which all liturgical Churches confess via the Apostle & Nicene Creeds, I'm not surprised? I don't know if I'm making much sense

 

[RileyG]

That's correct.

It might interest you to know that in my own current denomination, the funeral rite contains an implicit prayer for the deceased. It's broadly similar to the rite used in the Book of Common Prayer. On All Saints Day, we also have a tolling of the bells and another implicit prayer for those who have died the previous year.

I ask God to have mercy upon my grandparents who died in 1996, 2004, 2007 & 2016, from youngest to oldest, each and every day. I do not think there is anything "wrong" with that. *shrug*

 

[SabbathBlessings]

How long does Purgatory last?

Only Jesus can atone for our sins, we can't work off our sins, which essential makes one their own savior. All we have to do is pray to Jesus when we are sorry for sin, confess, repent and turn from and He is so faithful to forgive us 1 John 1:9. Purgatory takes away God's free Sacrifice that was paid for once Heb 10:10 which is why purgatory is not in in Bibles, which is what God told us is the path we are to follow Psa 119:105

 

[RileyG]

Only Jesus can atone for our sins, all we have to do is pray to Him when we are sorry for sin, confess, repent and turn from and He is so faithful to forgive us 1 John 1:9. Purgatory takes away God's free Sacrifice that was paid for once Heb 10:10 which is why its not in in bibles.

uhhh no. Purgatory isn't about sacrifices.

 

[FireDragon76]

To be fair, with the Communion of Saints, which all liturgical Churches confess via the Apostle & Nicene Creeds, I'm not surprised? I don't know if I'm making much sense

That's true, though more mystical theology like that has generally been downplayed in American Protestantism, it isn't entirely absent. We don't often use the creeds in our liturgy, our contemporary statement of faith is far more ambiguous and reflects modern theological trends.

There was an attempt to revive mystical theology in the 19th century, the Mercersburg school, among two Reformed theologians that were in the German Evangelical tradition (and whose denomination eventually became part of the UCC). However, Revivalism and Princeton Scholasticism were proved to be more popular, and that's the stream modern Protestant Evangelicalism also draws from.

 

[RileyG]

That's true, though more mystical theology like that has generally been downplayed in American Protestantism, it isn't entirely absent. We don't often use the creeds in our liturgy, our contemporary statement of faith is far more ambiguous and reflects modern theological trends.

There was an attempt to revive mystical theology in the 19th century, the Mercersburg school, among two Reformed theologians that were in the German Evangelical tradition (and whose denomination eventually became part of the UCC). However, Revivalism and Princeton Scholasticism were proved to be more popular, and that's the stream modern Protestant Evangelicalism also draws from.

Very interesting.

I learn something new everyday.

Thanks for your knowledge & input!

Blessings!

 

[FireDragon76]

I ask God to have mercy upon my grandparents who died in 1996, 2004, 2007 & 2016, from youngest to oldest, each and every day. I do not think there is anything "wrong" with that. *shrug*

I just thought to add, I think the main thing that these kinds of prayers benefit is the living. And I think that is the emphasis in contemporary mainline Protestantism, too. It's a way to express grief and strengthen our faith.

I still miss some of my deceased friends from church, but I don't really pray for them because I know they have gone to their reward.

 

[RileyG]

I just thought to add, I think the main thing that these kinds of prayers benefit is the living. And I think that is the emphasis in contemporary mainline Protestantism, too. It's a way to express grief and strengthen our faith.

Sure. That makes sense to me!

To paraphrase CS Lewis, he prayed for many of his deceased friends because most of the people he knew were deceased. Or something along those lines. God is good and faithful.

 

[RileyG]

I just thought to add, I think the main thing that these kinds of prayers benefit is the living. And I think that is the emphasis in contemporary mainline Protestantism, too. It's a way to express grief and strengthen our faith.

I still miss some of my deceased friends from church, but I don't really pray for them because I know they have gone to their reward.

I think about the family gatherings at BOTH of my grandparents house, or of my aunts & uncles that are now deceased....in this life, I will never experience that again. I just pray for their peace and reward. if that makes any sense? Those memories are INDEED very precious and near and dear to my heart. I am thankful for them.

No prayer is wasted.