PURGATORY: Is it real and really necessary?
The Necessity of Purgatory: Why It Matters A strong case can be made that the doctrine of Purgatory isn’t just a peripheral idea in Christian theology, but a profoundly important one. Here’s why: 1. Holiness, Imperfection & Final Purification The Christian vision of Heaven is one of perfect holiness, no stain, no sin, no “unfinished business” (cf. Revelation 21:2 "Nothing unclean/impure will enter Heaven/new Jerusalem/holy city...) Yet we know that many die in God’s friendship but with remaining imperfections. The question arises: how do they enter into perfect union with God without full purification? Purgatory offers that “in-between” state — a necessary purification for those who are saved but not yet perfectly pure. Without this doctrine, we either must say that any imperfection blocks entry into Heaven (which clashes with the assurance of salvation) or that God admits the imperfection into Heaven (which undermines the holiness of Heaven). As noted: “Temporal punishments a...