Regarding the parable at the end of Matthew 18, the one about the ruler who forgave his servant’s debt, but then the servant went out and treated one of his servants harshly that owed him, I have several questions. I was listening to Steve’s commentary on this parable in the verse by verse lectures online and I don’t believe he covered either of these questions.
1. Could this be evidence that there is such a thing as universal reconciliation since the man was delivered to tormentors until he should pay all that was due? This could lead some to believe that once he paid all that was due he was released. I guess on the other hand, one could assume that paying all that is due is impossible.
2. Does this parable apply only to those who are saved? If so, is this one of the evidences Catholics use for the theory of purgatory?
Matthew 18
Re: Matthew 18
1. Could this be evidence that there is such a thing as universal reconciliation since the man was delivered to tormentors until he should pay all that was due? This could lead some to believe that once he paid all that was due he was released. I guess on the other hand, one could assume that paying all that is due is impossible.
2. Does this parable apply only to those who are saved? If so, is this one of the evidences Catholics use for the theory of purgatory?
Steve said he does not see a connection with this parable and the afterlife. You could read afterlife into it although it's not stated and if i did i would indeed say the word "until" does mean that there is a point that the punishment ends but i'm not impartial as i have a bent toward UR. I don't really see why Jesus would use the word "until" if there were never a point where "until" is reached.
I'm not Catholic but i can see them reading purgatory into this, but one can read many things into this.
2. Does this parable apply only to those who are saved? If so, is this one of the evidences Catholics use for the theory of purgatory?
Steve said he does not see a connection with this parable and the afterlife. You could read afterlife into it although it's not stated and if i did i would indeed say the word "until" does mean that there is a point that the punishment ends but i'm not impartial as i have a bent toward UR. I don't really see why Jesus would use the word "until" if there were never a point where "until" is reached.
I'm not Catholic but i can see them reading purgatory into this, but one can read many things into this.