<> Ask the Pastor The Rev. Walter Snyder Q: What support is there for the doctrine of Purgatory? Deuteronomy 32:35 or Hebrews 10:30 could be stretched to back up this notion, but are there other Biblical backings of this claim? A: There is no direct Scriptural support for Purgatory, that is, a place where believers who die make final payment for any earthly punishment still owed at the time of death. This is said to be accomplished by "a purging fire, by which the souls of the pious, tormented for a set time, are purified, so that they might enter the eternal fatherland, into which nothing defiled enters. (*Canons and Decrees of the Council of Trent*, Session XXV)" The verses you cite refer more to God's overall divine justice, especially in punishing sin. Sometimes this punishment is earthly, however, it also has an eternal aspect, as applied to hell. Official acceptance of the doctrine of Purgatory appeared in the Council of Florence in the mid-1400s. It was ratified and expanded upon by later church councils, including Trent (mid-1500s). Three passages allegedly deal with Purgatory. 1 Corinthians 3:15 says, "If any man's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire." This is similar to 1 Peter 1:6-7, which says, "For a little while you may have to suffer various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold which though perishable is tested by fire, may redound to praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ." While some argue that the "fire" in these passages refers to the purification of Purgatory, it appears from context that these actually refer to tribulations suffered in this life for the purification of our faith and the rooting out of sinful attitudes and behavior. The final "Scripture," and the bulwark of the doctrine of Purgatory, is 2 Maccabees 12:43-45, which speaks of Judas Maccabeus making sacrifices for the dead. This is part of the Apocrypha, which books are in some Bibles, but are not universally accepted as part of Scripture. For example, the German Bible of 1534 said, "These books are not held equal to the Sacred Scriptures, and yet are useful and good for reading." Even if it were, it does not directly speak of Purgatory, nor does it offer unqualified support for the actions of Judas. It says, "[Judas] also took up a collection...and sent it to Jerusalem to provide for a sin offering. In doing this he acted very well and honorably, taking account of the resurrection. For if he were not expecting that those who had fallen would rise again, it would have been superfluous and foolish to pray for the dead. But if he was looking to the splendid reward that is laid up for those who fall asleep in godliness, it was a holy and pious thought. Therefore he made atonement for the dead, that they might be delivered from their sin." Q: If the Pharisees apologised to Jesus while he died on the cross, would he have forgiven them? Was it what the Pharisees said that damned them, or was it this because of their character? A: No matter whether or not they apologized, the Pharisees--and all people--were forgiven by Christ's death on the cross. However, not all people have believed in the promise of forgiveness won by Jesus. When the Lord said, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do," he was speaking of Pharisees, Sadducees, Romans, and any others who played parts in his crucifixion. By rejecting the forgiveness freely given them, many people, including at least some of the Pharisees, doubtless died in their trespasses and faced the punishment reserved for the wicked. But we know that some were believers before his death. For example, the Pharisee Nicodemus, although he'd originally come to Jesus by night because of fear of his peers (see John 3), mustered enough courage to join Joseph of Arimathea (a member of the Jewish Council and, most likely, also a Pharisee) in the burial of Christ (John 19). Likewise, Acts 6:7 tells how others of the ruling group were converted after Jesus resurrection: "And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith." Of course, we cannot forget one last Pharisee--the best-known of the lot. I speak of Paul, formerly called Saul, who was "circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew born of Hebrews; as to the law a Pharisee, as to zeal a persecutor of the church, as to righteousness under the law blameless. But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. (Philippians 3:5-7)" That's it for now. You can submit questions by mail to "Ask the Pastor," PO Box 1080, Jasper, Texas, 75951; E-mail xrysostom@aol.com; or just stop me on the street. Walter Snyder is the pastor of St. Paul and Faith Lutheran Churches in Jasper and Woodville and coauthor of the book "What Do Lutherans Believe? A Study Guide in Christian Teachings for Adults." Copyright (c) 1998 by Walter P. Snyder Permission is granted by author to reproduce or retransmit this by any means, provided that its content is not altered, that this notice of copyright and permission is included, and that no financial gain is realized.