SELLING INDULGENCES

During the middle ages Catholic priests sold what is referred to as ‘Indulgences’ to their parishioners. The Roman Catholic Church characterized them as official pardons from sin. Beyond this, Indulgences were, for all intents, “get out of jail free” cards by which a relative could purchase their loved one’s release from Purgatory, and guarantee their entrance into heaven. (Or at least so they thought).

Something my wife told me this morning brought the foregoing scenario to mind. A television preacher she had been watching presented a monetary plea at the end of his broadcast with the words,

“Dear friends, I’m asking all of my TV listeners to send this broadcast a gift of $1,000. If you will do this for Jesus, He has assured me He will answer the prayer you have been praying which is closest to your heart.”

(and)

“Some time ago I gave a gift of $1,000 on behalf of my adult son. Well, my friends, within days of giving this offering my son was gloriously saved!”

I ask you, dear readers, do you see any similarity between the medieval tradition of Indulgences, and the modern day television preachers who claim to sell blessings for money? Not to mention the religious quacks who sell miracle spring water, and Bible markers anointed with olive oil from the Garden of Gethsemane.

(And I can tell you, there are some “big names” involved in this kind of thing).

Pt. 2

And then, there are these posts which people message you on social media.

“If you believe God is a miracle worker, forward this message to ten of your friends (or enemies) and within 24 hours someone will knock on your door and give you $100.”

Granted, you’re not expending any money in this transaction, (but rather, getting some of that green paper with dead president’s pictures) but nonetheless, it is a spiritual “do something to get something proposition.”

What are we to do with God’s free gift of grace? What are we to do with John 3:16? (…“that He GAVE His only begotten Son”). And what about, “Not by works of righteousness that we have done, but by His mercy He saved us.” (Titus 3:5) And last, but not least, (for the moment) “For by grace are you saved by faith, and not that of yourselves. It is the gift of God. Not of works lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)

I simply cannot buy into anything which purports to require believers to purchase something from God in order to be forgiven or blessed. Granted, after we are saved, we work. But we are not saved by our works, nor our money, nor is a specific blessing tied to paying for, or doing a specific thing, as if we could barter with God.

I believe this sort of homemade theology is a sacrilege against the voluntary, free-will offering of Christ of Himself on the Cross; a plan which He, the Father, and the Holy Spirit planned together before the worlds and stars were breathed into existence.

by William McDonald, PhD. Copyright pending Excerpt from (Mc)Donald's Daily Diary, Vol. 90. 

If you wish to copy, share or save, please include the credit line, above