INDULGENCE, a distinctive feature of the penitential system of both the Western medieval and the Roman Catholic Church that granted full or partial remission of the punishment of sin. The granting of indulgences was predicated on two beliefs. First, in the sacrament of PENANCE it did not suffice to have the guilt (culpa) of sin forgiven through absolution alone; one also needed to undergo temporal punishment (poena, from p[o]enitentia, “penance”) because one had offended Almighty God. Second, indulgences rested on belief in purgatory, a place in the next life where one could continue to cancel the accumulated debt of one’s sins, another Western medieval conception not shared by Eastern Orthodoxy or other Eastern Christian churches not recognizing the primacy of the pope.
From the early church onward, bishops could reduce or dispense with the rigours of penances, but indulgences emerged in only the 11th and 12th centuries when the idea of PURGATORY took widespread hold and when the popes became the activist leaders of the reforming church. In their zeal, they promoted the militant reclamation of once-Christian lands—first of Iberia in the Reconquista, then of the Holy Land in the Crusades—offering “full remission of sins,” the first indulgences, as inducements to participation. BRITANNICA: Indulgence, Roman Catholicism By Lawrence G. Duggan, November 29, 2024.
The Bible teaches that there is resultant punishment for sin in this life and at the judgment.“Behold, all souls are Mine; The soul of the father
As well as the soul of the son is Mine; The soul who sins shall die.” Ezekiel 18:4 (NKJV)
This divine decree is not executed immediately. Sinners are given the opportunity to repent and reform and live lives devoted to righteousness.
“But if a man is just And does what is lawful and right; If he has not eaten on the mountains, Nor lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, Nor defiled his neighbor’s wife, Nor approached a woman during her impurity; If he has not oppressed anyone, But has restored to the debtor his pledge; Has robbed no one by violence,
But has given his bread to the hungry And covered the naked with clothing; If he has not exacted usury Nor taken any increase,
But has withdrawn his hand from iniquity And executed true judgment between man and man; If he has walked in My statutes And kept My judgments faithfully—He is just; He shall surely live!”
Says the Lord God.” Ezekiel 18:5-9 (NKJV).
Furthermore, all are admonished to turn away from a life of unrighteousness in order to avoid God’s retributive judgments.
“If he begets a son who is a robber Or a shedder of blood, Who does any of these things And does none of those duties,
But has eaten on the mountains Or defiled his neighbor’s wife; If he has oppressed the poor and needy, Robbed by violence, Not restored the pledge, Lifted his eyes to the idols, Or committed abomination; If he has exacted usury Or taken increase—Shall he then live? He shall not live! If he has done any of these abominations, He shall surely die;
His blood shall be upon him.” Ezekiel 18:10-13 (NKJV).
Nowhere, in scripture however, do we read that humans have any control over this process. The manifold providences of God reveal His displeasure and exact His judgments.
“Is this not laid up in store with Me, Sealed up among My treasures?
Vengeance is Mine, and recompense; Their foot shall slip in due time;
For the day of their calamity is at hand, And the things to come hasten upon them.” Deuteronomy 32:34-35 (NKJV)
There are no Bible passages that teach or uphold any kind of belief in Indulgences, Penance, or Purgatory. Such teachings are based upon human works. In fact it is made very clear in the book of Job that human righteousness while commendable and pleasing to God will count for nothing in the process of salvation. Man who is a reprobate sinner desperately needs a SAVIOUR.
“Moreover the Lord answered Job, and said: Shall the one who contends with the Almighty correct Him? He who rebukes God, let him answer it.”
Job’s Response to God
Then Job answered the Lord and said: Behold, I am vile; What shall I answer You? I lay my hand over my mouth. Once I have spoken, but I will not answer; Yes, twice, but I will proceed no further.” Job 40:1-5 (NKJV)
God declares His Sovereignty, Majesty, and power:
“Would you indeed annul My judgment? Would you condemn Me that you may be justified? Have you an arm like God? Or can you thunder with a voice like His? Then adorn yourself with majesty and splendor,
And array yourself with glory and beauty. Disperse the rage of your wrath; Look on everyone who is proud, and humble him. Look on everyone who is proud, and bring him low; Tread down the wicked in their place. Hide them in the dust together, Bind their faces in hidden darkness. Then I will also confess to you That your own right hand can save you.” Job 40:8-14 (NKJV).
Then Job answered the Lord and said:
“I know that You can do everything, And that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You. You asked, ‘Who is this who hides counsel without knowledge?’ Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, Things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.
Listen, please, and let me speak; You said, ‘I will question you, and you shall answer Me.’ “I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear,
But now my eye sees You. Therefore I abhor myself,
And repent in dust and ashes.” Job 42:1-6 (NKJV).
Job finally comes to the realization and acknowledges that he is just another vile sinner in desperate need of a divine SAVIOUR. To bring him to this vital truth was the whole purpose of his terribly psychic and traumatic ordeal.
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