The Catholic Doctrines of Purgatory and Limbo -- By: Mal Couch

Journal: Conservative Theological Journal
Volume: CTJ 06:19 (Dec 2002)
Article: The Catholic Doctrines of Purgatory and Limbo
Author: Mal Couch


The Catholic Doctrines of Purgatory and Limbo

Mal Couch

President & Professor of Theology & Languages
Tyndale Theological Seminary, Ft. Worth, TX

Below is the seventh article in a ten-part series on Catholic Theology and Dogma. Almost all of the material quoted comes from books and articles approved by the Catholic Church. The first article (March 2000) dealt with the Catholic view of the Church. It is hoped that many Catholics will read these articles and arrive at a conviction of the unbiblical nature of Catholic Theology. It is also hoped that Evangelicals reading this material will understand why it’s impossible for Catholics and Evangelicals to join hands in spiritual endeavors. The abbreviations for the references are explained at the end of the article.

A great silence has fallen on the modern Catholic Church about the doctrines of purgatory and limbo. A form of denial has descended that leaves both Catholic laymen and Catholic observers puzzled. This is what the leadership wants to happen. These two doctrines are somewhat of an embarrassment to Catholic public relations. The priests know these doctrines cannot be substantiated by Scripture; they are contrary to biblical doctrine and the scriptural teaching about the afterlife.

Biblically, there is no doubt the teaching of purgatory especially violates the doctrine of justification by faith. The Word of God tells us that the believer is fully justified in his position before God, by the work of Christ on the cross. Catholic theology does not teach this! Purgatory implies that there is an additional purging of sins required after death. In old Catholic theology, this sanctifying purging was as painful as being burned in fire! In new Catholic theology, the doctrine of purgatory is (1) either ignored,

or (2) it is softened to simply represent some kind of washing of leftover transgressions that are eliminated in a painless manner.

It is important to understand that both purgatory and limbo are still on “the books” in Catholic theological teaching. But especially within the circles of American Catholicism, they are either being denied or downplayed. The leadership hierarchy in Rome has not removed these teachings from its roster of required beliefs.

Catholic theologian Hardon makes an interesting observation. The doctrine of purgatory does not rank as high on the truthfulness scale as “the Trinity or the Incarnation.” It does rate high, however, on the daily scale for the Christian living of the saints! (CathCat,278)

Theological History of Purgatory

It may be safely said that the iss...

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