www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Faith & Theology No More Limbo?

Interestingly enough, Pope Benedict gave an address on Judas today.

If I got it correct, you can see it here [zenit.org] and the editorial version here [zenit.org] .

Dear Theist Gal you said:

[QUOTE] That's an interesting idea. How would you justify it in light of Scriptural passages that do seem to show God judging us - for example, in Matthew 25:31-46?

I say:

You're right! It's funny, but the other day I attended a lecture by a Biblical scholar on God as a judge. Well it made me decide to re-think my position...A little!

The Bible also says that our own conscience will condemn us, sooooo! I figure that God will at the last judgement, make us aware of all our iniquities...big and small. Then I guess by becoming fully aware of them, we will condemn ourselves. :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

(See how I got out of that one? :p )

My position tends to be a little contrary to the Biblical scholar. He seems to have adapted more of the Hebraic mind set when comparing the consistancy of the Old and New Testament.

Zenovia

Dear Theist Gal,

Now to go a little further. Some fathers of the Orthodox Church have said that we will be in a process of continuous movement. We will go from light to light, and therefore the lower light will become darkness in comparison. So in that sense we will continuously go from darkness to light.

If we stop this continuous progression which will never end, then we will fall. So to me it means that we will continuously grow in perfection. That means we will continuously be emptying ourselves of our self, and become more God like.

Those who are not able to continue on that spiritual journey, will stop experiencing the light, but instead only experience the heat emanating from that light. (I guess that's where the concept of the toll houses come in ).

Now that is not contrary to RCC teaching since Mother Angelica herself said that heaven is painful to those that are not in a position to achieve it. So in that sense, each greater light would be painful to us unless we have reached the potential of being in that superior state.

Now I don't know if this happens after the judgement, or before...but I have to assume after.

Zenovia

Interesting ... I think I'm just gonna say "God only knows" and leave it at that!

How very eastern of you.

The fact is we know virtually nothing of the afterlife. We can assume certain things or use words like beatific (sp?) vision, limbo, purgatory, etc. These are just human designs. We can not possibly know what God has for us on the other side. If the Catholic Church professes to dogmatically know these things then one of two things is happening. Either the Church is wrong or just guessing, or Peter really can bind on earth and heaven. So if a Pope says there is limbo, there is limbo. And if a Pope says there isn't limbo, then there isn't. Couldn't the Pope just declare everyone saved and it would also be bound in heaven? Of course this is ridiculous! So, whether the Pope, or a council, or any saint claims to know these truths, they don't. Just love God with your whole soul, mind, and body and let your final destination rest in His Providence. After all He knows what is best for us.

Reading these posts anyone could get the impression that some thought that Limbo WAS a teaching of the Church. Fr Serge explained things very well earlier on here.