Indulgences Make a Comeback: Read a fascinating article in today's New York Times about the return of indulgences in the Catholic church. "According to church teaching, even after sinners are absolved in the confessional and say their Our Fathers or Hail Marys as penance, they still face punishment after death, in Purgatory, before they can enter heaven. In exchange for certain prayers, devotions or pilgrimages in special years, a Catholic can receive an indulgence, which reduces or erases that punishment instantly, with no formal ceremony or sacrament."
I’m a follower of Jesus Christ. I live in Gaithersburg, Maryland, with an amazing wife and three wacky, fun kids. I'm a pastor at Covenant Life Church. I’m also a writer.
My friend Donald Miller shares a helpful tip for writers: get a kitchen timer. Don explains, "When I have two or three writing assignments I just make a list, then pick one, then set my little timer for an hour or twenty minutes or whatever amount of time that specific assignment will cost me. And then, while the timer is ticking away on my desk, I don't let myself do anything else....When the timer goes off, I decide whether I want to keep working on it, or move on. It's a simple tool, but it works." Read more.
Tim Challies asks whether he's ready to address his Google search history with God. "What would I say to him if he were to ask me about the things I have gone looking for online? Could I tell him with confidence that what I have sought is an indication of a heart that is aligned with his purposes? Or would I have to confess that my searches point to a heart that is drawn to what is evil and perverse?" Read the post.
- Albert Mohler
- Bob Kauflin
- Carolyn McCulley
- Church Matters
- CJ Mahaney
- Denny Burk
- Girl Talk
- Justin Taylor
- Kevin DeYoung
- Miscellanies
- Next
- Of First Importance
- Pure Church
- Reformation 21
- Russell Moore
- Ryan Kelly
- The Blazing Center
- Tim Challies
- Together for the Gospel
- Trusting God with a Migraine
- Tullian Tchividjian
- Vitamin Z
















5 Comments
This is ridiculous, it's like the Catholic Church is out to be even wackier than usual these days. First the reinstating of a bishop who denies the Holocaust then this. Can't wait to see what's next.
This is just ridiculous.
My favorite quotes from the article:
"'Father, I haven't been to confession in 20 years, but this' " -- the availability of an indulgence -- " 'made me think maybe it wasn't too late.' "
"the church wants the idea of personal sin back in the equation. Indulgences are a way of reminding people of the importance of penance."
"a happy incentive" for confession
All this talk about sin and punishment, and not one time is "Jesus" mentioned in the article. NOT ONCE!
The 2 most ridiculous lines in the article, IMO:
"You can get one for yourself, or for someone who is dead" !!
"The good news is we're not selling them anymore" !!
http://www.catholic.com/library/Primer_on_Indulgences.asp
Joshua-
First of all, I want to say that I am a huge fan of your books and they have really helped me to better understand Christian relationships and Christian living in general. Your writing has had a great positive impact in my life.
I also want to say that I am a Catholic Christian who is in love with Jesus and who is constantly trying to work on my relationship with Him. I find it slightly upsetting that your website tends to mock us Catholics and our beliefs. First of all, the New York Times is not the best source for understanding our belief about indulgences. Secondly, I don’t understand how making Catholics look crazy contributes to your ministry. I have found multiple things on your website that give very negative views of Catholicism: this article, the one that associates Catholicism to voodoo and occult practices, and the one by the Catholic writer discussing American Idol (For the record, I loved that segment of the show and disagree with that writer). Being a devout Catholic who has gained much inspiration from your books, this is upsetting to see. I understand that you don’t agree with many of our beliefs, and that’s fine. But my question to you is: Are you intending your ministry to reach out to all Christians, or are Catholics excluded?
That was my rant. Know that I really respect you as an author and person; I just don’t understand some of the things on your website and why they are present.
Thank you and may God bless you in all you do.
-Jessica
Dear Jessica,
Thanks for leaving this comment and sharing your perspective. First, I'm honored that you would read my books and say such kind things about my ministry. I appreciate that very much.
Now about your concern. It definitely is not my intention to belittle or mock my Catholic friends. It's true that we have some significant differences of view on important points of belief, but I've never meant to criticize or offend.
I looked at the other blog posts you referenced and in each of those cases I would view the statements as attempting to be unbiased statements of fact. I said the writer of the American Idol piece was Catholic only to point out that he wasn't anti-Christian. The comment about the religious influence of Haiti isn't equating Catholicism with voodoo only stating voodoo's influence. And I shared the article on indulgences as something newsworthy without any negative comment. I do think your point that the NY Times isn't the best source is well taken.
I share all this only to say that it's not my intention in any of these posts to attack you or your beliefs. And I will definitely keep your thoughts in mind for the future so that I'm careful in the way I write things.
Thanks again for humbly expressing your thoughts. May God bless you!
Joshua
Leave a comment