On New Year’s Eve I
was listening to a radio talk show host, and the discussion turned to the
difference between Protestantism and Roman Catholicism. The host’s guest, a
college president, observed that the Catholic doctrine of purgatory had the
advantage of being “more fair.”
His example: think
of Ted Bundy, a serial killer, and let’s say he had a death-bed conversion to Christ. He
goes to heaven. And then consider a person who lives a good life, but never
believes in Jesus. He goes to hell. At least in purgatory
Bundy would have to suffer a while before going to heaven.
But is that really more fair? Does it seem unjust that somebody could go to heaven who has done great evil, while someone who lived a comparatively good life could end up in hell?
I respect the
college professor, but I think he missed a couple points. One is that the
Bible doesn’t teach purgatory. The book of Hebrews says it this way: And just
as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment (9:27).
There is no second chance, no limbo, no purgatory. You don’t get a do-over or a
chance to “atone” for your sins. This life is it.
But the more
important point is that the idea that "purgatory makes things more fair" totally
misses what God says about the value of Jesus’ sacrifice. God says you were
ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with
perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of
Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. (1 Peter 1:18-19, my emphasis).
Jesus, whose life
and obedience and righteousness and purity and beauty are infinitely worthy,
left heaven to pay for our sins. No matter how heinous a person’s transgressions, Christ’s
sacrifice is more than enough to atone for them. You can see that in Hebrews 10:14: For by a single
offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified. The only
way a single offering could avail for all the sinners who believe in Christ through the centuries is if that single offering was infinitely worthy.
Jesus’ sacrifice in
your place settles God’s justice.
This question about God’s justice was answered in the lyric of an old hymn, Rock of Ages:
Not the labor of my hands
Can fulfill Thy law’s demands;
Could my zeal no respite know,
Could my tears forever flow,
All for sin could not atone;
Thou must save, and Thou alone.
This question about God’s justice was answered in the lyric of an old hymn, Rock of Ages:
Not the labor of my hands
Can fulfill Thy law’s demands;
Could my zeal no respite know,
Could my tears forever flow,
All for sin could not atone;
Thou must save, and Thou alone.
He did, in the
infinitely worthy cross of Christ.
