Someone who is not catholic can you clearly explain what an indulgence is?

Question

(like clearly not what you think it is but the actual belief of catholics) if not why don't you get educated first befor even talking?

first one is wrong 2nd. kind of right.. 3. right... thank you if only the ones who criticized would first read before jumping at it.

Answer 1

+ Purgatory +

To discuss indulgences, first we have to talk about Purgation (or Purgatory).

Are you perfect now? Most people would say no.

Will you be perfect in heaven? Most people believe yes.

Purgatory (or purgation) is the process of God's love changing our imperfect selves into perfect beings. Depending on the amount of change needed by different people this can be an easy or slightly harder process.

Everyone in purgatory is on their way to heaven. I don't think Mother Teresa of Calcutta had a very hard time of it.

+ Indulgences +

The concept is that a person can do acts of penance now on earth to make purgation easier.

Penance is internally turning one's heart toward God and away from sin in hope in divine mercy and externally by fasting, prayer, and almsgiving.

A corruption grew in the Church many years ago where rich people would give enough alms (money to the Church) to essentially buy an easy way to heaven. This was one of Martin Luther's protests (hence Protestants) and shortly thereafter the Catholic Church cleaned up this practice.

In 1567 Pope Pius V canceled all grants of indulgences involving any fees or other financial transactions.

But remember because everyone in purgatory is already on their way to heaven, indulgences do not get you into heaven. They just make purgation easier.

I guess if you did not believe in purgatory then there would be no reason to worry about indulgences.

With love in Christ.

Answer 2

An indulgence is no more than an unearned benefit obtained or granted through the generosity, merit, or authority of another.

Few understand that the biblical basis for all new covenant indulgences is the many healing miracles which were routinely perfomed by most, or all of the apostles, in Jesus' name.

In the case of traditional indulgences, the Pope, who has the authority from God to bind and loose, both on earth and in heaven, draws on the abundant grace obtained by Jesus, and on the merits of Mary, the apostles, and all the other saints, to grant a pardon, not for sin, but for the largely unintended and sometmes eternal consequences of that sin, and only for those who have already been judged worthy of salvation by Christ.

Nobody ever got out of hell due to an indulgence. Nobody ever will. And indulgences are still available and in full effect today.

This is a very fine and precise interpretation of the new testament economy of salvation, and of the application of God's grace and mercy, and it is in complete agreement and accord with the authority that God gave to his church.

It is also way beyond the understanding of those who mistakenly look to the literal words of scripture alone, for all that they choose to believe or accept.

The issue of indulgences is a favorite "straw man" for protestant critics of the Catholic Church, but it's really completely irrelevant, because anyone who claims "once saved, always saved" has no right at all to complain about indulgences.
.

Answer 3

The indulgence's which used to be sold (they are no longer sold the Pope outlawed it) were simply a little ticket or even sometimes just a "you are forgiven" that was bought by a member of the congregation who had sinned.... it was just buying forgiveness

Answer 4

"Through indulgences the faithful can obtain the remission of temporal punishment resulting from sin for themselves and also for the souls in Purgatory." Pg. 374, #1498

Here is the Catechism's definition of an indulgence:
"An indulgence is a remission before God of the temporal punishment due to sins whose guilt has already been forgiven, which the faithful Christian who is duly disposed gains under certain prescribed conditions through the action of the Church which, as the minister of redemption, dispenses and applies with authority the treasury of the satisfactions of Christ and the saints." Pg. 370, #1471

Here, the water gets deep. Space does not permit a full explanation of indulgences. Suffice it to say that they are a complicated system of good works. It should also be mentioned that every rule regarding indulgences is a tradition of men. Not one can be found in God's Word.

"To understand this doctrine (Indulgences) and practice of the Church, it is necessary to understand that sin has a double consequence." Pg. 370, #1472

But the Bible consistently reveals that all sin has the same consequence:
"For the wages of sin is death..." Romans 6:23

"Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death." James 1:15

The final result of sin is always death, no matter how minor we may think a particular sin is. Catholics try to pay for sins through indulgences, but Christ already paid for every sin:
"For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;" 1 Corinthians 15:3

While it is true that God does want His children to perform good works, those works are not a requirement for salvation, they are a result of salvation. Paul teaches:
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." Ephesians 2:8, 10

"Since the faithful departed now being purified are also members of the same communion of saints, one way we can help them is to obtain indulgences for them, so that the temporal punishments due for their sins may be remitted." Pg. 371-372, #1479

Here is another load of man-made traditions. You will never find any of this taught in the Word of God

"Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us..." Titus 3:5

purgatory is a made up place created by men, the catechism says so
"The Church formulated her doctrine of faith on Purgatory especially at the Councils of Florence and Trent." Pg. 268-269, #1031

Answer 5

In essence it is about the same as Giving Brother Benny Hinn $10,000 to have your name painted on the side of his airplane.

I have been appointed trusted colleague. Please send contributions to Scallywag
For Brother Benny Hinn
You will feel better about yourself.

Answer 6

forgiveness and pardon of punishment
payment of which was primary cause for Martin Luther's reformation