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The Biblical Basis For Purgatory
Jesus taught us about it, and for centuries the Church has faithfully defined and defended it. Protestants deny it even exists, while many Catholics fundamentally misunderstand it. It is Purgatory: that place of purifying penance where souls saved by Christ are made perfect and acceptable to spend life eternal in heaven.
In The Biblical Basis For Purgatory, author and apologist John Salza (Why Catholics Cannot Be Masons) offers the definitive scriptural explanation of this distinctively Catholic doctrine. Building on the teachings of Christ and St. Paul, he shows how the existence of a place of temporal punishment after death is not only a logical extension of what we know about the reality of sin and God's justice, but is also a supreme expression of God's love and mercy.
Although Purgatory is a place of mercy, its pains are real, and they are severe. This book does more than defend and explain Purgatory it provides a solid plan, drawn from the Church s perennial wisdom for conquering our sins by God s grace, while still on earth.
In The Biblical Basis For Purgatory, author and apologist John Salza (Why Catholics Cannot Be Masons) offers the definitive scriptural explanation of this distinctively Catholic doctrine. Building on the teachings of Christ and St. Paul, he shows how the existence of a place of temporal punishment after death is not only a logical extension of what we know about the reality of sin and God's justice, but is also a supreme expression of God's love and mercy.
Although Purgatory is a place of mercy, its pains are real, and they are severe. This book does more than defend and explain Purgatory it provides a solid plan, drawn from the Church s perennial wisdom for conquering our sins by God s grace, while still on earth.
232 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
55 people are currently reading
87 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
February 5, 2020
As someone who does NOT like to get into polemical discussions, I did not buy this book to prove Catholics right or anyone else wrong. I got it initially for my husband, but then found myself wanting to learn just for me, wanting to understand this difficult concept. Probably that was my motive all along. I know that I need aides to really understand Sacred Scripture. I can read it and read it and read it and it just sits there and I think I understand it and then I will hear a homily or read a good book about a parable or story or one of St. Paul's letters and I know I was clueless about what I was reading all along!
Well if you are at all like that, Mr. Salsa KNOWS his Scripture. He opens up Sacred Scripture like an onion. He reminded me of Brant Pitre, Scott Hahn or Tim Staples. There are others, but those three come immediately to mind. He would take what to me seemed either the most innocuous line or the most confusing passage and suddenly light would break through. I am sorry that I cannot do that for you in this review. I can only say that you need to read it for yourself. I have promised to loan my copy to my sister, but only loan, because this is one book I want to keep on reference for regular re-reads.
Oh yes, and my regular confessor of the past 12 years actually complimented me (for the first time in 12 years of mostly going to him for Confession) on my confession after I had spent the morning in Adoration reading this book. Now, of course we do not go to Confession for compliments! I did not even particularly like that he complimented me and I am uncomfortable writing this because it sounds like I am bragging, except that to make a 'good' confession means one really empties the garbage, cleans house, etc. However, I mention this, only because the reality of what Scripture says about the afterlife is SO apparent after reading this book, I think that like me, you will also be moved to make a soul-searching confession.
MOST excellent! It also REALLY helps to read this before the Blessed Sacrament.
November 25, 2019: This is the book you need if you want to argue for Purgatory, not that I'm into arguing. I'm NOT! But my husband says he can't help it at work, arguments about religion, just come up. So be it. I got this book mostly for him (and to recommend to others like him) who need to explain this Catholic principle to others not of our faith.
I'm not even halfway, but it is already WAY DEEP for me. Still, Salsa does a good job bringing up Protestant Scripture verses which are supposed to prove the non-existence of an alternative to Heaven and hell and then the Catholic refutation. More as I continue...
Well if you are at all like that, Mr. Salsa KNOWS his Scripture. He opens up Sacred Scripture like an onion. He reminded me of Brant Pitre, Scott Hahn or Tim Staples. There are others, but those three come immediately to mind. He would take what to me seemed either the most innocuous line or the most confusing passage and suddenly light would break through. I am sorry that I cannot do that for you in this review. I can only say that you need to read it for yourself. I have promised to loan my copy to my sister, but only loan, because this is one book I want to keep on reference for regular re-reads.
Oh yes, and my regular confessor of the past 12 years actually complimented me (for the first time in 12 years of mostly going to him for Confession) on my confession after I had spent the morning in Adoration reading this book. Now, of course we do not go to Confession for compliments! I did not even particularly like that he complimented me and I am uncomfortable writing this because it sounds like I am bragging, except that to make a 'good' confession means one really empties the garbage, cleans house, etc. However, I mention this, only because the reality of what Scripture says about the afterlife is SO apparent after reading this book, I think that like me, you will also be moved to make a soul-searching confession.
MOST excellent! It also REALLY helps to read this before the Blessed Sacrament.
November 25, 2019: This is the book you need if you want to argue for Purgatory, not that I'm into arguing. I'm NOT! But my husband says he can't help it at work, arguments about religion, just come up. So be it. I got this book mostly for him (and to recommend to others like him) who need to explain this Catholic principle to others not of our faith.
I'm not even halfway, but it is already WAY DEEP for me. Still, Salsa does a good job bringing up Protestant Scripture verses which are supposed to prove the non-existence of an alternative to Heaven and hell and then the Catholic refutation. More as I continue...
May 23, 2015
The intro and first chapters taught me a lot I didn't know about purgatory being referred to in the Bible. In that way, it was a valuable and interesting read. As the book wore on, however, it's very slow; there was a lot of repetition and it seemed that the author's main point was to argue with Protestants.
March 9, 2013
"In all you do, remember the end of your life, and then you will never sin" (Sir 7:36)
December 1, 2022
Solid. Every Catholic should read this, especially those “cradle Catholics” that love their faith but take certain distinguishing doctrines for granted. And for newbies, this is a no-brainer.
Salza is sharp.
The last chapter is on “Indulgences” and it was perfectly placed. I finished the book with a lot of hope that I can miss purgatory entirely if I don’t sin, lose my current attachment to venial sin (I’m honest) and make the proper penance.
And there’s a TON of opportunities for penance.
That is the hopeful part.
Oh yes, and he makes the case that penance is completely biblical. He does the same for “temporal punishment.”
He also offers “Biblical Basis” books for “The Papacy”, “The Catholic Faith,” “The Eucharist” and “Tradition” respectively. If they go into detail of the grammar of the Biblical languages and rely on early Church history, then they will surely be a treat like this one.
As a former Presbyterian, I used to turn to the Westminster Confession of Faith.
In WCOF, Section 1.8, it says:
“The Old Testament in Hebrew (which was the native language of the people of God of old), and the New Testament in Greek (which, at the time of the writing of it, was most generally known to the nations), being immediately inspired by God, and, by His singular care and providence, kept pure in all ages, are therefore authentical; so as, in all controversies of religion, the Church is finally to appeal unto them.”
If this is the standard of the debate, if proper use of the original languages is the decisive and final criterion for determining whether Catholicism or Protestantism wins the day, then Salza shows how the Catholic Church wins the day on scriptural grounds.
And I can’t wait to see that done in the other books of his.
The amount of Hebrew and Greek isn’t a lot in this book (versus academic books that are littered with foreign language terms). This is written at the popular level. You may even feel smarter after reading this. I like the fact that Salza shows the frequency of word usage in scripture in the very way he’s trying to prove.
As I was reading this, I thought about the justice of God, and even if I had to suffer purgatory that I would love God tremendously and would not curse His Holy Name. For God is just in all of His decisions. And as I came about that conclusion internally, I came across this passage not too long after:
“Notwithstanding the supreme pains of purgatory, the souls there freely submit to their punishments out of their fervent love and desire for God. They would rather undergo these terrible torments then appear before God with their current defects. They love God above all things, for their disembodied souls seek Him alone. Furthermore, because He loves those He chastises, He gives the souls in purgatory great consolations.” (Page 41)
He continues: “ Although God wants us to have a holy fear of sin and punishment, He wants us to temper that fear with great trust in His mercy, for God’s mercy is as infinite as His justice. Thus, while their sufferings are like those of Hell, the consolations give them a taste of heaven.”
In a very helpful footnote, Salza writes, “For example, Catherine of Genoa said that God overwhelms the Holy Souls with such love that it would annihilate them if they were not immortal. As Magdalen de Pazzi witnessed her brother suffering in purgatory, she also noted his great happiness and satisfaction …. Catherine de Ricci, whom God allowed to suffer purgatorial punishments for a certain prince, reported that we endure the excesses of purgatory with great peace and love.”
This confirmed my inner feeling about the Justice of Purgatory.
If I knew about purgatory as a younger man or even child, and it “clicked” for me, I wouldn’t have committed so many sins. This is the spiritual rot of the Protestant Deformation — or revolt or revolution— started by Martin Luther.
The spiritual reality of purgatory is not taken into account by most, if not all, Protestants. And the actions of the Protestant faithful will follow … and the consequences will follow them into the afterlife.
People will sin with abandon because they think they will get away with not having to pay any temporal costs for their sin.
Imagine all those millions of souls who sinned but then “repented” because they thought they were saved by grace alone with no penitential works required. Imagine the sins they tallied up that they will have to pay for. Lord have mercy!
I was in tears halfway through this book. I felt contrite.
Purgatory is not a place I wish upon Protestants. And the Lord himself doesn’t want them to go there either.
“In all you do, remember the end of your life, and then you will never sin.” (Sirach 7:36)
I am reading Salza at the recommendation of Robert Sungenis — another great Catholic author.
This book is loaded with scripture. That’s good for the doubters and even better for the faithful.
Salza is sharp.
The last chapter is on “Indulgences” and it was perfectly placed. I finished the book with a lot of hope that I can miss purgatory entirely if I don’t sin, lose my current attachment to venial sin (I’m honest) and make the proper penance.
And there’s a TON of opportunities for penance.
That is the hopeful part.
Oh yes, and he makes the case that penance is completely biblical. He does the same for “temporal punishment.”
He also offers “Biblical Basis” books for “The Papacy”, “The Catholic Faith,” “The Eucharist” and “Tradition” respectively. If they go into detail of the grammar of the Biblical languages and rely on early Church history, then they will surely be a treat like this one.
As a former Presbyterian, I used to turn to the Westminster Confession of Faith.
In WCOF, Section 1.8, it says:
“The Old Testament in Hebrew (which was the native language of the people of God of old), and the New Testament in Greek (which, at the time of the writing of it, was most generally known to the nations), being immediately inspired by God, and, by His singular care and providence, kept pure in all ages, are therefore authentical; so as, in all controversies of religion, the Church is finally to appeal unto them.”
If this is the standard of the debate, if proper use of the original languages is the decisive and final criterion for determining whether Catholicism or Protestantism wins the day, then Salza shows how the Catholic Church wins the day on scriptural grounds.
And I can’t wait to see that done in the other books of his.
The amount of Hebrew and Greek isn’t a lot in this book (versus academic books that are littered with foreign language terms). This is written at the popular level. You may even feel smarter after reading this. I like the fact that Salza shows the frequency of word usage in scripture in the very way he’s trying to prove.
As I was reading this, I thought about the justice of God, and even if I had to suffer purgatory that I would love God tremendously and would not curse His Holy Name. For God is just in all of His decisions. And as I came about that conclusion internally, I came across this passage not too long after:
“Notwithstanding the supreme pains of purgatory, the souls there freely submit to their punishments out of their fervent love and desire for God. They would rather undergo these terrible torments then appear before God with their current defects. They love God above all things, for their disembodied souls seek Him alone. Furthermore, because He loves those He chastises, He gives the souls in purgatory great consolations.” (Page 41)
He continues: “ Although God wants us to have a holy fear of sin and punishment, He wants us to temper that fear with great trust in His mercy, for God’s mercy is as infinite as His justice. Thus, while their sufferings are like those of Hell, the consolations give them a taste of heaven.”
In a very helpful footnote, Salza writes, “For example, Catherine of Genoa said that God overwhelms the Holy Souls with such love that it would annihilate them if they were not immortal. As Magdalen de Pazzi witnessed her brother suffering in purgatory, she also noted his great happiness and satisfaction …. Catherine de Ricci, whom God allowed to suffer purgatorial punishments for a certain prince, reported that we endure the excesses of purgatory with great peace and love.”
This confirmed my inner feeling about the Justice of Purgatory.
If I knew about purgatory as a younger man or even child, and it “clicked” for me, I wouldn’t have committed so many sins. This is the spiritual rot of the Protestant Deformation — or revolt or revolution— started by Martin Luther.
The spiritual reality of purgatory is not taken into account by most, if not all, Protestants. And the actions of the Protestant faithful will follow … and the consequences will follow them into the afterlife.
People will sin with abandon because they think they will get away with not having to pay any temporal costs for their sin.
Imagine all those millions of souls who sinned but then “repented” because they thought they were saved by grace alone with no penitential works required. Imagine the sins they tallied up that they will have to pay for. Lord have mercy!
I was in tears halfway through this book. I felt contrite.
Purgatory is not a place I wish upon Protestants. And the Lord himself doesn’t want them to go there either.
“In all you do, remember the end of your life, and then you will never sin.” (Sirach 7:36)
I am reading Salza at the recommendation of Robert Sungenis — another great Catholic author.
This book is loaded with scripture. That’s good for the doubters and even better for the faithful.
March 26, 2020
Purgatory is a tough topic. Protestants deny there is one. I suggested this book for our group to read. Our pastor was near by and said it wasn't appropriate. I haven't heard any priest talk of Purgatory. This book gives us Biblical sources for the existence of Purgatory. In the Appendix there are prayers to say for the poor souls in Purgatory. Catholics believe (or should) that Purgatory is the place where souls are purified. Every sin, even confessed and pardoned, leaves a stain on our soul. The more stains we have the longer we will be punished in Purgatory. Why? Because God is perfect and in heaven there is the Light of God, our stains greatly offend Jesus and God the Father. So we must be punished for our sins. This book and one other have me praying for the Poor Souls through out my day.
July 30, 2020
A compelling read. From a psychological and theological perspective, purgatory only makes sense to me. I think too many people put too much emphasis on the images of the afterlife and take them literally while they miss the entire point. God is all good and all perfect and nothing unclean can enter heaven (the Beatific Vision). God wants to heal us and makes us whole. He wants to remove anything that lingers on our souls after death.
I definitely appreciate John Salza's immense knowledge of Sacred Scripture and the writings of the Early Church Fathers. The early Church prayed for the faithful departed, and this practice continues to this day.
I definitely appreciate John Salza's immense knowledge of Sacred Scripture and the writings of the Early Church Fathers. The early Church prayed for the faithful departed, and this practice continues to this day.
August 20, 2024
This book gives a good explanation of Purgatory is, connecting it to both the Old Testament and the New Testament. At times it seemed like the intention of the book was to be able to argue with Protestants about the existence of Purgatory. At another point the author spoke about indulgences and appeared to gloss over the accusations of clergy abusing indulgences back several centuries ago, implying it wasn't as bad as perceived. The author is obviously well-versed on the topic, and it is something that doesn't get taught in-depth. If you are interested in learning about Purgatory this book is worth reading.
January 13, 2020
The book has some great examples and explanations of purgatory. I believe the author makes a solid case for the Scriptural basis of purgatory. However, I didn't give it five stars because there are a few claims regarding Catholic church teaching that do not seem to actual be what the Church teaches. While it may be simply a disagreement of wording, I would be more comfortable giving the book 5 stars if the author were to submit and receive the nihil obstat for this book (and any others he writes and publishes).
December 17, 2017
This book is an exploration of the Roman Catholic doctrine of Purgatory, defining what it is and what it isn't. Recommended to anyone who wants a better understanding of Catholic teaching and doctrine. Salza defends it with copious biblical quotes and illustrations, and argues that the early Church Fathers also believed in it.
October 31, 2020
A serious review of the truth of purgatory
If you are looking for a serious discussion about purgatory then read this and highlight or bookmark copiously. If you are in the mood for entertainment or light reading, maybe you should choose a romance novel or a who dunit. I recommend this book!
If you are looking for a serious discussion about purgatory then read this and highlight or bookmark copiously. If you are in the mood for entertainment or light reading, maybe you should choose a romance novel or a who dunit. I recommend this book!
August 20, 2018
I think this is a book that everyone should read,if you have read the bible you need to read this book,so you can understand it better don't listen to others read it for yourself,a very very GOOD BOOK!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 29, 2020
Most of the biblical passages used by the writer to defend this doctrine were out taken of its overall context. I just bought this book for research purposes only. Not recommended that anyone read about this absurd doctrine.
July 27, 2025
Excellent reference book for those wishing to know the ins and outs of the Catholic belief in Purgatory. It includes copious Biblical references to substantiate its subject. Highly recommend! I borrowed a friend’s copy to read and will purchase it for my own library.
March 23, 2017
Covers purgatory and a lot of other Catholic doctrine with Scriptural reference. A little strident, though.
Read
July 20, 2020The presentation is a little argumentative, but this is overall a good resource not just on purgatory but also on the Catholic view of soteriology as a whole.
May 28, 2024
Excellent book. I recommend it be a must read for all Catholics
December 1, 2024
Difficult to get through….
July 27, 2023
Very well written!
This book is very well written. I learned so much! There’s quite a bit of redundancy throughout, but that makes this a marvelous reference book. I would highly recommend this book to everyone!
This book is very well written. I learned so much! There’s quite a bit of redundancy throughout, but that makes this a marvelous reference book. I would highly recommend this book to everyone!
November 19, 2018
Purgatory has always been a strange "concept" to me. Even though it is not a dogma it has been taught by the Catholic church for centuries. Time to learn more about it.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews