Purgatory. Levels of Heaven and Hell. Becoming a Christian.
by the Rev. Walter Snyder

Q: What is the origin of the word purgatory? What do you think purgatory is?

Its origin is the same as our English word "purge." Some think of it as a place where the debt of
sin is paid by those who will eventually go to heaven, but who still owe some penance when they
died. The idea of such a place wasn't new within Christianity; other religions also had ideas about
a place where a final purification takes place before souls are allowed to enter their final rest.

In Christendom, the teaching was most fully developed in Roman Catholicism, whose
~Catechismus Romanus~, I, vi, 3 says, "Besides [hell] there is 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." However, ~The Greek Orthodox Catechism~ (New York,
1960) states, "Scripture . . . has never expressed anything whatever concerning a third state, such
as a temporary Purgatory."

Lutherans have likewise denied such a place and have condemned its teaching as being
unscriptural, indefensible, and insulting to Christ. The Bible never speaks of us repaying all our
debt for our sins against others, since we can never do this. Instead we teach that Christ's death
not only removes the guilt of our sins, but also any punishment we deserve or debt that we owe.

Q: Are there different levels to heaven or hell? If so, what are they?

A. Regarding hell, unbelievers will suffer condemnation and eternal separation from God in both
body and soul (see Matt 18:8; 25:46; Mark 9:43; John 3:36; 2 Thess. 1:9; Jude 13; Rev. 14:11). It
does appear that while the damned will experience indescribable torment, varying degrees will be
determined by the nature of the sins to be punished (Matt. 11:20-24; 23:15; Luke 12:47-48).

As for what some term the "degrees of glory" in heaven, the Scriptures depict eternal life as a
state of never-ending "blessedness." This means that Christians will live forever in perfect freedom
from sin, death, the devil, and every evil (Is. 5:8; 49:10; 1 Cor. 15:26, 55-57; Rev. 2:7, 11; 20:14;
21:4). They will also enjoy the never-ending joy of being with God in the new heavens and new
earth (e.g., Revelation 21-22; Ps. 16:11). Falling away from God will be impossible. This
blessedness includes the joy of being in eternal communion with our fellow believers. Matthew
17:3 hints that we may well recognize them when we are translated to glory. While all the saints
will enjoy unlimited happiness and blessed peace, there will be degrees of glory corresponding to
differences of deeds and faithfulness while on earth. This will result in even greater praise to God
but will provoke no envy among the saved (see 2 Cor. 9:6; Matt. 20:23).

Q: It seems that I'm being drawn toward the Christian Church through conversations with
friends. My question, which it may seem like I'm avoiding, is thus: how do I go about
becoming a Christian. Are there prerequisites that would stop me from becoming one or
any such thing?

A: It all boils down to belief in Christ as Savior. This means knowing Him as true God and true
man, believing that He suffered, died, and was buried, that He bodily rose, and that He will return
in judgment to bring the believers to heaven. Different churches emphasize different things, but
true Christians all practice baptism, since it is not only a washing away of sins but also a means by
which God names and claims you as His own. Some church bodies deny baptismal regeneration
and only treat it as a symbolic act, but even if they don't realize what God does through it, God
doesn't stop the doing. Tied with all of this is repentance. This is not only knowing that you are a
sinner or even being sorry, but desiring to turn away from your sins and toward God and a life of
righteousness. Since you have already been led in this direction, we have evidence that He is
already active in you, for natural man does not choose God. It is only when God works that we
can work in response. Thus, although you may not be fully incorporated into the church, you are
either already a Christian or are standing in the doorway, being led in by the work of the Holy
Spirit.

In the Lutheran Church, as in many others, there is a time of instruction, or "catechesis." This, if
done well, not only covers basic doctrine (teaching and beliefs) but also many of the practices. I
not only speak of what we do in worship, prayer, Bible study, and the like, but also why we do it,
what the historical context is, and how God works through these actions. I don't know where you
are or I'd offer to help find a pastor to sit and talk with you. As it is, I pray that you are led to
someone who will feed you the pure Word of God and teach you the blessings of forgiveness and
of eating and drinking the body and blood of Christ. God give you the courage and the honesty to
continue your pilgrimage into the Church and, through your life in it, to everlasting life.

To Ask the Pastor, please write Ask the Pastor, PO Box 12, Emma, MO, 65327 or send email
to askthepastor@aol.com. I look forward to hearing from you.

Walter Snyder is the pastor of Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Emma, Missouri and coauthor of
the book "What Do Lutherans Believe."

Ask the Pastor is copyright 2001 by Walter P. Snyder. It may be reproduced in totality,
including this disclaimer, by anyone, provided that no profit is generated by said
republication and redistribution. Translations into other languages should similarly note
the United States and any appropriate international copyrights, as well as God's Scriptural
injunctions concerning the property of others.