Bridge of Reason

Image by  Jeroným Pelikovský  from  Pixabay   I was asked very recently about witnessing to Roman Catholics, especially how we might speak intelligently about the myriad of issues that arise in such a conversation. You will, no doubt, be familiar enough with some of them: the veneration of Mary; the authority of the pope; prayers to the saints; the nature of the elements in communion; praying for the dead and purgatory and so many more. First of all, in any discussion on faith, we must find the shortest route to the cross, for it is at the cross salvation is found. In that journey, then, we must clear away any and all obstacles that may seriously impede our progress. In other words, we must deal with those issues first that have direct bearing on our understanding of salvation. So we come to the question of purgatory. Purgatory The Roman Catholic teaching is very familiar. It is that the sacrifice of Christ makes it possible for me to make amends, here and in purg...