What is an indulgence in Roman Catholic theology?
Q: What is an indulgence in Roman Catholic theology?
A: An indulgence in Roman Catholic theology is a way for temporal punishment (punishment here on Earth) for sins which have already been forgiven to be taken from the sinner. It is given by the church after the sinner has confessed and received absolution.
Q: How did indulgences replace severe penances of the early church?
A: Indulgences replaced the severe penances of the early church by having a "treasury of merit" that was said to come from past Christians who had done even better than what was required to gain salvation. This treasury could be drawn from by the Pope, who could give or sell this merit to others whose sins prevented them from being saved.
Q: What did full indulgence mean during crusades?
A: During crusades, full indulgence meant that if someone volunteered to fight in the Pope's army and died, they would go to heaven even if they had done evil things.
Q: How were indulgences abused by 1500?
A: By 1500, indulgences had developed into a printed letter that said that having paid money a person had received full pardon for all their sins. Even people who had died and were suffering in purgatory could be instantly freed if a living person paid for the indulgence. The money was used for building a church in Rome, with some of it going to local princes or secular leaders.
Q: Why did Martin Luther protest against them?
A: Martin Luther protested against them because he believed it was better to give money to the poor and repent of one's sins instead of paying money to the Church. This sparked off Protestant Reformation (1517).
Q: What action did Catholic Church take after Reformation?
A: After Reformation, at Council of Trent, Catholic Church tried to respond to problems that led it and stopped sale of indulgences.
Q: How are modern-day uses of idea of Indulgences different than before?
A: In modern times, idea of Indulgences has occasionally been used by Catholic Church but only as reward for certain pious acts and not as full pardon for sins like before
