The Indulgence Controversy, Again

 — Dec. 1, 20011 déc. 2001
by Michael Root in First Things

Most Protestants may not be able to give a precise explanation of the doctrine of justification or, for that matter, of any other central doctrine of the Reformation, but they often have a vague sense that Martin Luther’s protest began with an attack on indulgences. What exactly indulgences were may be a bit foggy for them, but they know indulgences were something bad, very Roman Catholic, and had something to do with working or, worse, buying one’s way into heaven.

Confusion thus abounded when, in the midst of the ecumenical publicity surrounding the Lutheran“Catholic Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification , the papal bull officially announcing the Jubilee Year 2000 gave a significant place to the indulgence attached to the Jubilee. This bull was soon followed by a new edition of the Enchiridion Indulgentiarum , the official handbook of indulgences. (Ironic in light of the ecumenical brouhaha, the Enchiridion includes a new plenary indulgence relating to participation in the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.)

Read the full story in First Things (December 2001).

Posted: Dec. 1, 2001 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=10694
Categories: Opinion • In this article: indulgences, JDDJ, justification by faith Transmis : 1 déc. 2001 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=10694
Catégorie : Opinion • Dans cet article : indulgences, JDDJ, justification by faith


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