[ErikJohnson]

Hey Faded—

Your introduction of Luther’s “Ninety-Five Theses on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences” on the thread as an alternative to discussing the Five Solas is interesting, but probably not that useful for our purpose. The 95 Theses weren’t intended as stand-alone points of doctrine (which becomes clear as you read through them). And while they address a number of related topics along the way—Luther’s unquestionable intent was to refute the practice selling “indulgences” to mitigate punishment in Purgatory. That, and to let the Pope know he needed to fix the problem posthaste!

What’s interesting is that at the time he composed the “Theses”—Luther believed in Purgatory (which also becomes clear when you read through them). But Luther later repudiated that doctrine, and today almost no Protestants hold such a belief. Accordingly, the 95 Theses are not the best representation of Protestant doctrine, because the very premise on which they are based—the existence of Purgatory—has been eliminated.

But since this thread is about doctrines that distinguish Protestantism from Catholicism and whether the LDS position better aligns with the Catholic in such cases—you have, perhaps inadvertently, given us a very relevant example: How does the Catholic conception of Purgatory compare with the LDS conception of a Spirit Prison? On the surface, it appears once again that the LDS view is closer to the Catholic than it is to the Protestant. And certainly both seek to make intercession on behalf of the dead—Catholics through prayer, and LDS by conducting proxy “ordinances.” Protestants, of course, deny any effort to make intercession for the dead.

Your thoughts on this? Is this another example where LDS teachings are closer to Catholic doctrines than Protestant? Do you think the Protestant repudiation of Purgatory and intercession for the dead was inspired by God—or was this just a further drift into “apostasy” (vis-à-vis LDS doctrines)?

--Erik