Topic 11 of 11
Indulgences
The Catechism describes an indulgence as a remission of the temporal punishment due to forgiven sins, drawn from the treasury of the merits of Christ and the saints. Scripture says Christ paid it all.
What the Catechism teaches
Indulgences are still part of Catholic teaching today. The Church itself later prohibited selling them, which was the abuse Martin Luther protested in 1517.
An indulgence is a remission before God of the temporal punishment due to sins whose guilt has already been forgiven
Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1471 · official text
opens for them the treasury of the merits of Christ and the saints to obtain from the Father of mercies the remission of the temporal punishments due for their sins
Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1478 · official text
What Scripture says
Scripture says Christ was pierced for our transgressions and that by His wounds we are healed. God forgave all our trespasses, cancelling the record of debt by nailing it to the cross. Where sins are forgiven, God remembers them no more. No treasury of human merit is needed: Christ's work is complete.
5But he was pierced for our transgressions. He was crushed for our iniquities. The punishment that brought our peace was on him; and by his wounds we are healed.
Isaiah 53:5 (WEB) · context
13You were dead through your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh. He made you alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14wiping out the handwriting in ordinances which was against us. He has taken it out of the way, nailing it to the cross.
Colossians 2:13-14 (WEB) · context
17“I will remember their sins and their iniquities no more.” 18Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.
Hebrews 10:17-18 (WEB) · context
1There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who don’t walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
Romans 8:1 (WEB) · context
30When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, “It is finished!” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
John 19:30 (WEB) · context
How Catholics answer
Catholics answer that indulgences do not forgive sin itself but only temporal punishment, and that believers still face the consequences of sin, as David did.
13David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against Yahweh.” Nathan said to David, “Yahweh also has put away your sin. You will not die. 14However, because by this deed you have given great occasion to Yahweh’s enemies to blaspheme, the child also who is born to you will surely die.”
2 Samuel 12:13-14 (WEB) · context
What Scripture answers
Believers do live with the earthly consequences of their actions, and God disciplines His children as a loving Father. That is not a debt to be paid off by merits. Christ bore the punishment that brings us peace.
6for whom the Lord loves, he disciplines, and chastises every son whom he receives.”
Hebrews 12:6 (WEB) · context
5But he was pierced for our transgressions. He was crushed for our iniquities. The punishment that brought our peace was on him; and by his wounds we are healed.
Isaiah 53:5 (WEB) · context
The good news
Saved by grace, through faith, in Christ
Salvation is God's free gift to everyone who trusts Jesus Christ alone.