Were Indulgences Ever Sold?
"Did the Catholic Church sell indulgences, and are indulgences themselves unbiblical?"
The Short Answer
The abuse of indulgences was a genuine scandal that helped spark the Reformation. However, the Church never officially taught that indulgences could be purchased. Abuses were condemned, and the doctrine of indulgences - properly understood as remission of temporal punishment through the Church's treasury of merit - remains biblical and valid.
Quick Overview
Indulgences address what happens AFTER your sins are forgiven. Think of it this way: if you break your neighbor's window and apologize, they might forgive you - but you still need to fix the window. Sin works similarly. God forgives the guilt when you confess, but there may be lingering consequences that need healing. The Church can apply the 'extra' grace from Christ's infinite sacrifice and the saints' holy lives to help heal those consequences. In history, some corrupt officials did abuse this teaching for profit - and the Church condemned those abuses. But the underlying doctrine is biblical: the Church has authority to 'loose' sinners from penalties, and can apply the merits of Christ and the saints to help the faithful.
Biblical Evidence
What the Scriptures say
"And I will give to thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven. And whatsoever thou shalt bind upon earth, it shall be bound also in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose upon earth, it shall be loosed also in heaven."
Why This Matters
The power to 'loose' includes loosing sinners from the temporal consequences of sin. Indulgences are an exercise of the Church's binding and loosing authority given by Christ.
"To him who is such a one, this rebuke is sufficient, which is given by many: So that contrarily you should rather pardon and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow."
Why This Matters
Paul remits (pardons) the temporal punishment of the Corinthian sinner. This is an indulgence - the apostolic authority to reduce penalties for forgiven sin.
"Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up those things that are wanting of the sufferings of Christ, in my flesh, for his body, which is the church."
Why This Matters
Paul's sufferings benefit the Church. This is the basis for the 'treasury of merit' - the superabundant grace of Christ and the saints that the Church can apply to others.
"And David said to Nathan: I have sinned against the Lord. And Nathan said to David: The Lord also hath taken away thy sin: thou shalt not die. Nevertheless, because thou hast given occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme... the child that is born to thee, shall surely die."
Why This Matters
David's sin was forgiven ('thou shalt not die'), yet temporal consequences remained (the child's death). Guilt and punishment are distinct - forgiveness of guilt doesn't automatically remove all consequences.
What the Church Teaches
Official Catholic doctrine
An indulgence is the remission of temporal punishment due to sins whose guilt has already been forgiven. The Catechism explains: 'An indulgence is a remission before God of the temporal punishment due to sins whose guilt has already been forgiven' (CCC 1471). The Church draws on the 'treasury of merit' - the infinite merits of Christ plus the superabundant merits of the saints - to benefit the faithful. Indulgences require a state of grace, specific prayers or actions, and proper intention. The Council of Trent condemned abuses while affirming the doctrine: 'The power of granting indulgences was conferred by Christ on the Church.' The 1567 papal bull 'Etsi Dominici' explicitly prohibited any semblance of payment for indulgences.
Common Objections
Questions answered
Early Church Fathers
What the first Christians believed
Tertullian
c. 200 AD
"The martyrs who have departed in prison, freed from all punishment, can relax the penalties of those who have fallen [lapsed in persecution]."
— To the Martyrs, Chapter 1
St. Cyprian of Carthage
c. 251 AD
"Those who have received a letter from the martyrs, and with their help can have their sins remitted before the Lord, let them come forward and receive peace."
— Letter 18 to the Clergy
Pope Clement VI
1343 AD
"Upon the altar of the cross Christ shed of His blood not merely a drop, though this would have sufficed, by reason of the union with the Word, to redeem the whole human race, but a copious torrent... thereby laying up an infinite treasure for mankind."
— Bull 'Unigenitus Dei Filius'
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