purgatory

Biblical and theological analysis of purification, afterlife concepts, and doctrinal debates.

1 Cor. 3:11-15: Believers as the Works of God Members Public

In this post I will examine the blessed and holy Apostle Paul’s warning to the Corinthians regarding sectarianism and the judgement that believers must undergo before entering into final salvation/glorification. My focus will be to show that the works that Paul had in mind are actually individuals who

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
biblebible-studychristianity

The Reformation and Purgatory Members Public

Quotations provided by William Albrecht. All emphasis is mine. DESIDERIUS ERASMUS It’s not surprising that Erasmus affirmed Purgatory since he was Catholic after all: “Even three hundred years after the birth of Christ, it was permitted to debate whether there was any fire in purgatory; some interpreted fire to

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
purgatorycatholicismchurch-history

St. Cyril on the Eucharist & Intercession Members Public

I quote from St. Cyril of Jerusalem’s Catechetical Lectures to show the beliefs and practices of Churches at that time in respect to the liturgy, the holy Eucharist, intercessory prayers of angels and departed saints, prayers for the dead in Christ, etc. All emphasis will be mine. (On the

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
eucharistchurch-historysaints

FLORENCE AND THE CANON Members Public

According to the online Catholic Encyclopedia, among the reasons why the Council of Florence was convened was to settle the issues of purgatory, the filioque and papal primacy in order to reunite the Oriental and Eastern Orthodox Churched with Rome: The Ferrara Council opened on 8 January, 1438, under the

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
canonchurch-historycatholicism

EARLY CHURCH ON PURGATORY Members Public

William Albrecht 2 nd Century AD St. Clement of Alexandria (150-215 AD) “The believer through discipline divests himself of his passions and passes to the mansion better than the former one, passing through torments with repentance for post-baptismal sins. Although these punishments cease after purification, God’s righteousness allows for

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
purgatorychurch-historycatholicism

EARLY CHURCH ON PRAYERS FOR THE DEAD Members Public

It may come as a surprise for Protestants to learn that prayers and offerings for dead Christians were an early and widespread practice observed by the universal Church. What makes this rather intriguing is that the Christians did not invent this custom, but rather inherited it from the Jews that

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
church-historyprayerpurgatory

The Early Church Fathers on 1 Corinthians 3 Members Public

The ancient writers of the faith all interpret 1 Corinthians 3 as a purification that occurs in the afterlife. -William Albrecht Cyprian of Carthage (200s) It is one thing to stand for pardon, another thing to attain to glory: it is one thing, when cast into prison, not to go

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
purgatorychurch-historybible

2 Maccabees and The Canon of Scripture Members Public

In this post I am going to raise the question of whether Roman Catholics should consider 2 Maccabees as inspired scripture, and therefore a part of the Old Testament canon. I base this on the following section, which mentions Judas Maccabees offering sacrifices and prayers for Jewish soldiers who were

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
maccabeesapocryphacanon
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