Chougounova T. G.

The Interpretation of the Cleansing Fire of Purgatory in J. Frith’s Disputation of Purgatory P. 67-73.

UDC 23:284(410)«15»

DOI: 10.37724/RSU.2021.70.1.007

Abstract. The article analyzes the interpretation of the catholic doctrine of purgatory presented by an English reformer J. Frith in his publication A Disputation of Purgatory. The young scholar defies the ideas expressed by his compatriots J. Rastell, Th. More, and J. Fisher (leading theology specialists of the time adhering to the doctrine of purgatory). The analysis of the Holly Scripture enabled the English reformer to reject the material existence of purgatory and to argue that the cleansing fire should be interpreted as a symbol of anguish, remorse, pangs of conscience. The author of the article employs the hermeneutic content analysis to prove that John Frith proposed a novel interpretation of the concept of purgatory. Frith believes that purgatory is our life where people fight their sins and are cleansed through God’s Word.

 

Keywords: sin, indulgence, Reformation, Holy Scripture, purgatory.

References

 

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