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GCSE · Christianity

RS.TB10 Purgatory and Protestant Beliefs About Death and Judgement

AQA 8062 · Calculators not allowed · about 50 minutes

Total Marks

Name: _______________________________ Date: ____ / ____ / ______

Answer ALL questions. Show all your working.

Which one of the following best describes the Catholic doctrine of Purgatory, as taught in the context of post-death purification?

A, a temporary state of purification for those destined for heaven
B, a place of eternal punishment for the wicked
C, another name for heaven
D, a purely symbolic idea with no connection to practice
E, a Protestant term for final judgement

(Total for Question 1 is 1 mark)

Give two practices associated with Catholic belief in Purgatory, in the context of prayer and liturgy.

(Total for Question 2 is 2 marks)

Explain two Catholic beliefs about the purpose of Purgatory, naming the context of purification after death.

(Total for Question 3 is 4 marks)

Explain two contrasting Christian beliefs about what happens after death, in the specific context of Catholic teaching on Purgatory and Protestant rejection of it. Refer to a source of wisdom and authority in your answer.

(Total for Question 4 is 5 marks)

Give three differences in funeral practice between a Roman Catholic Requiem service and a typical Protestant committal service, naming the context of liturgy and belief about the dead.

(Total for Question 5 is 3 marks)

Identify one New Testament verse that is commonly cited in debates about Purgatory and state its relevance, giving context of scripture reference.

(Total for Question 6 is 1 mark)

Explain two Protestant theological reasons for rejecting the doctrine of Purgatory, in the context of Reformation principles.

(Total for Question 7 is 4 marks)

Explain two reasons why many Catholics believe the living can help the dead, in the specific context of prayers and Masses offered for souls in Purgatory. Refer to Church teaching or tradition in your answer.

(Total for Question 8 is 5 marks)

Give two historical reasons why Purgatory became a more prominent doctrine in medieval Catholic practice, in the context of belief and pastoral care.

(Total for Question 9 is 2 marks)

State three practical differences in how a Catholic and many Protestants might remember a deceased person at home or in a parish, naming the context of remembrance.

(Total for Question 10 is 3 marks)

Explain two reasons why some Christians today find the doctrine of Purgatory comforting, in the context of pastoral care and hope.

(Total for Question 11 is 4 marks)

Purgatory is not a helpful belief for Christians today. Evaluate this statement. In your answer you should give reasoned arguments to support this statement, give reasoned arguments to support a different point of view, refer to religious arguments, and reach a justified conclusion.

(Total for Question 12 is 12 marks)

Mark scheme · RS.TB10 Purgatory and Protestant Beliefs About Death and Judgement

Question 1

B1 selecting option A, which correctly identifies Purgatory as a temporary state of purification for those who will enter heaven, oe
Answer: A, a temporary state of purification for those destined for heaven.

Question 2

B1 praying for the souls of the dead, oe
B1 offering Masses or Requiem Masses for the repose of a soul, oe
Answer: Praying for the dead; offering Masses or a Requiem Mass for the dead.

Question 3

B1 point 1: Purgatory purifies the soul from venial sins or remaining attachment to sin so the soul can enter the presence of God, oe
B1 development: this purification removes what would prevent full communion with God in heaven, making the soul holy and ready, oe
B1 point 2: Purgatory allows for temporal punishment to be completed after death, distinct from eternal punishment, oe
B1 development: Catholics understand this as corrective and merciful, not permanent condemnation, so prayer and Masses can help the soul, oe
Answer: E.g. it purifies souls from venial sin and attachments so they can fully enter God's presence; it completes temporal punishment in a merciful way distinct from eternal condemnation, and allows the living to help by prayer and Mass.

Question 4

B1 belief 1: Catholics teach that some souls undergo Purgatory to be purified before entering heaven, oe
B1 development: this belief is affirmed by the Council of Trent and reflected in practice such as the Requiem Mass, oe
B1 belief 2: many Protestants reject Purgatory, teaching that after death a person is judged and goes directly to heaven or hell, oe
B1 development: this rejection is based on sola scriptura and sola fide, the Reformers argument that salvation is by faith alone and that the Bible does not teach Purgatory, oe
B1 a correct and explicit reference to a source of wisdom and authority, e.g. Council of Trent as Church teaching or 1 Corinthians 3:15 as sometimes used in support, oe
Answer: Contrast: Catholics teach purification in Purgatory, affirmed at the Council of Trent and reflected in prayers for the dead; many Protestants reject Purgatory because of sola scriptura and sola fide, arguing the Bible does not require an intermediate purification. Reference: Council of Trent; 1 Corinthians 3:15 is a biblical text sometimes cited in the debate.

Question 5

B1 Catholic Requiem includes Mass and prayers for the repose of the soul, oe
B1 Catholic liturgy may include intercessions and absolution for the dead, whereas Protestant committal is often shorter and focuses on commendation to God, oe
B1 Protestant service is often a simple committal with emphasis on immediate life with or judgement by God and less on intercessory rites for the dead, oe
Answer: Any three: Requiem Mass with prayers for the dead; intercessions and absolution are common in Catholic liturgy; Protestant committal is often shorter and focuses on commendation and remembrance rather than intercessory rites.

Question 6

B1 identifying 1 Corinthians 3:15 and noting it is used to suggest a purifying loss that nevertheless leads to salvation, oe
Answer: 1 Corinthians 3:15, used to suggest a purifying experience where a person is saved but as through fire, which some interpret as support for Purgatory.

Question 7

B1 point 1: sola fide, the Protestant belief that salvation is by faith alone, so no further purification after death is necessary for the justified, oe
B1 development: Reformers argued that if justification is complete in Christ, Purgatory undermines the sufficiency of Christ's atonement, oe
B1 point 2: sola scriptura, the Protestant principle that the Bible alone is the final authority, and that the Bible does not clearly teach Purgatory, oe
B1 development: because Purgatory is not explicit in canonical scripture according to many Protestants, they reject the doctrine and related practices like indulgences, oe
Answer: E.g. sola fide: salvation by faith alone means no post-death purification is needed; sola scriptura: lack of clear biblical teaching on Purgatory leads Protestants to reject it and practices associated with it.

Question 8

B1 reason 1: Catholics believe the communion of saints means the living and the dead are united in Christ, so the living can intercede for the dead, oe
B1 development: this unity is taught in Catholic tradition and explains why prayers and Masses can aid the purification of souls, oe
B1 reason 2: Church authority, including the Council of Trent, upholds the practice of offering Masses for the dead as beneficial, oe
B1 development: this official teaching supports the idea that sacred actions by the living can apply spiritual benefit to the souls undergoing purification, oe
B1 explicit reference to Church teaching or tradition, e.g. Council of Trent or the idea of the communion of saints, oe
Answer: E.g. belief in the communion of saints means the living can intercede for the dead and help their purification; Church teaching such as the Council of Trent affirms offering Masses for the dead as beneficial.

Question 9

B1 the development of prayers and Masses for the dead to meet pastoral concerns about loved ones after death, oe
B1 the theological development and emphasis by medieval theologians on the need for post-death purification and the efficacy of prayers, oe
Answer: E.g. pastoral concern led to prayers and Masses for the dead; medieval theological development emphasised post-death purification and the efficacy of intercession.

Question 10

B1 Catholics might hold a Mass or say prayers specifically for the soul's repose, oe
B1 Protestants might hold a memorial service or give thanks for the persons life without offering intercessory rites for purification, oe
B1 Catholics may observe anniversaries with Masses for the dead, while Protestants may mark anniversaries with acts of remembrance or charitable giving, oe
Answer: Three: Masses and prayers for repose in Catholic homes/parish; Protestant memorial services that focus on thanksgiving and remembrance; Catholics may observe anniversaries with Masses whereas Protestants may remember with acts of service.

Question 11

B1 point 1: it offers hope that imperfectly lived believers are not immediately condemned and can be purified and reunited with God, oe
B1 development: this can comfort grieving families who believe their loved one can be aided by prayer, oe
B1 point 2: it provides a sense that Christian practice continues to matter after death, giving meaning to intercessory rites and remembrance, oe
B1 development: believing that the living can benefit the dead encourages ongoing pastoral actions such as Masses and charity, oe
Answer: E.g. offers hope of purification and reunion rather than immediate condemnation, comforting grieving families; gives meaning to ongoing practices so the living can help the dead, supporting pastoral care.

Question 12

Level 1 (1-3): A few simple points are made for or against the view with little development or reference to religious ideas. The judgement, if any, is unsupported.
Level 2 (4-6): Some developed arguments for and against the view are given, with some reference to religious teaching or practice. A simple conclusion is offered.
Level 3 (7-9): Clear and developed arguments are presented for and against the view, with accurate reference to Christian teaching and practice and some evaluation of the points. A supported conclusion is reached.
Level 4 (10-12): A thorough, balanced and well-focused evaluation showing detailed reasoning for and against the view, precise reference to relevant Christian teachings or scripture, and a clearly justified and well-explained conclusion.
Level 0 (0): No relevant material.
Indicative content:
- Arguments that support the statement might include: Purgatory is not explicitly taught in many Protestant readings of scripture and so can divide Christians; belief in Purgatory can be misunderstood as suggesting deeds rather than faith earn salvation, clashing with sola fide; the doctrine has historically been associated with abuses such as the sale of indulgences, which can make it seem unhelpful or harmful.
- Arguments against the statement might include: Purgatory provides pastoral comfort and hope that imperfect believers can be purified and enter heaven; it gives meaning to prayers and Masses for the dead and supports communal responsibility and the communion of saints; Church teaching such as the Council of Trent and biblical texts like 1 Corinthians 3:15 are used to justify the belief within Catholic tradition.
- Religious arguments should include reference to Catholic teaching and practice, the Council of Trent, and the Reformers principles of sola scriptura and sola fide as a Protestant basis for rejection. Reference to 1 Corinthians 3:15 as a biblical text sometimes used in discussion is appropriate.
- Evaluation might weigh pastoral benefits against theological problems and possible abuses, consider ecumenical implications of holding or rejecting Purgatory, and reach a reasoned judgment about whether the belief is helpful in contemporary Christian life.

Purgatory and Protestant Beliefs About Death and Judgement - Worksheets, Questions and Revision