“For God so loved the world He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” John chapter 3 verse 16, The Bible
What we really must have but can’t buy
We recently visited the impressive 16th Century Guildhall in Lavenham, Suffolk. It has survived down the centuries, along with many other fine timber framed buildings from the period in the town- well worth a visit and a walking tour.
The guidebook told me some things I’d never learned, (or had forgotten) about the Reformation, and why it was needed. Guilds, such as those which built the Guildhall - “…steadily increased until 1547, when they were forcibly abolished during the Reformation. The soul, as conceived by the medieval church, was destined to suffer torment in Purgatory, in order to atone for sins committed on earth before it could pass into Heaven. Performing good works on earth would shorten this period, as would intercession by the living on behalf of the dead. Prayers for the dead were therefore important for the repose of the soul, but, when performed by members of the priesthood, came at a price. Wealthy individuals could afford to establish private chantries … for the purpose … For the majority, however, such chantries … were too expensive, and they subscribed instead to local gilds whose collective funds could then be used to hire priests to recite the names of all members.”
So the builders of the Guildhall believed many things in error. However I’d like to start with the very proper concern they had, which we often don’t. These people were much closer to death, on a daily basis, than we are. Infant mortality was high and life expectancy was short. Death due to disease or poverty was commonplace. So these people were far more keenly concerned about what was going to happen to them after death than most of us are. It’s often said that there were “no atheists in the trenches”. If our lives were as short and uncertain as our Medieval forebears, we might share more of their very proper concern about death, and what will follow it.
However, although their concern about death was proper, their beliefs and practice were grievously in error. The guild system, and the building of this expensive hall, (and thousands like it), was motivated by false superstitions about life after death. Guild members believed in Purgatory- for which there is no Biblical basis. They believed that, if they paid their dues and the priest included their names on his list, they could buy time off Purgatory. This was such a “must have” for them, that they were prepared to invest a huge amount of money to try and buy it.
But the truth about what happens after death is very different- “…man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). The Bible it makes it very clear that neither money, nor religion, nor good works can affect what happens to us after we’ve died. We simply await God’s judgment- and not in any kind of Purgatory. Then, at Jesus’ return, He will resurrect all the dead, and send each person to only one of two places- to be with Him, or to suffer punishment in Hell- for all eternity.
Therefore what we really must have is the forgiveness of God, so that we don’t have to suffer punishment for our sins. The Bible makes it clear that this forgiveness to is only possible as the free gift of God, through repentance and faith in Christ alone. This salvation cannot be bought. We cannot atone for our own sins in this life or the next.
That’s why our visit to the Guildhall reminded me of why the Reformation was so vitally needed. A staggering amount of ignorance and superstition was behind the Guild system. Although the building that resulted at Lavenham is very impressive, it can provide no solution to the problem of death, and what lies beyond it.
To help explain the thinking behind the Guild system, the museum at the Guildhall displayed a black and white photograph of a Doom Painting, not far from us at St Thomas’s Church Salisbury. The Reformers had white washed it over, and it was not rediscovered until 1819.
When we visited it we were amazed at the size of the painting and the skill of the
Medieval artist/s. However it was easy to see why Christians would object to the
painting. I am unhappy about pictorial depictions of Jesus like the one in the painting-
which come too close to breaking the second commandment. Some of the imagery of the
Heavenly City at the top may also suggest that salvation is to be found in the church,
rather than in the Bible. A figure I take to be Jesus’ mother, and the Apostles and
Saints, are all given
an importance that the Bible doesn’t give them.
However despite all this, the basic message of the painting is absolutely Biblical.
There will be a last trumpet, (1 Corinthians 15:52), at which the dead will all be
raised, some to eternal glory with Jesus, and others to eternal punishment in hell
(Joh
n 5:28-29).
Just as the Doom painting shows, being a Bishop, or even a King, is no guarantee of salvation (Revelation 6:15-17). That’s quite a remarkably subversive (and Biblical) concept for the painter to have included. And although the painting doesn’t show why Christ alone can offer salvation, He is at least displaying His wounds, and His cross.
But perhaps most importantly of all, the painting shows that, at the resurrection, you’ll either be on one side of the aisle or the other. There’s just the North side, leading to the Heavenly City, or the South side, leading to Hell (with nothing to indicate that this is meant to be purgatory- no one is escaping from it). There’s no other possible position- just thin air in between the two sides of the painting. As Jesus warns us, there’ll only be sheep or goats at the Resurrection (Matthew 25:31-33).
So, whilst I can see why the Reformers whitewashed over the Doom painting, I’m glad that it was rediscovered. For the many illiterate people of the day, the painting taught them starkly that we’re all either for Jesus or against Him (even if it didn’t teach them how we can be for Him).
This reminder is needed today even more than ever. Few people now have much concern for life after death. They try to live a “good life” here on earth, however they define that, and then expect to simply cease to exist at death.
But we will all be raised to life, when Jesus returns, to face His Judgment. He will send each person to only one of two places, eternal glory with Him in His City, or eternal punishment in Hell.
So, what you really must have, but cannot buy, is the certainty that when you die, you’re going to be with Jesus in glory, and not going to Hell. If you don’t have that certainty, then please explore our site further- you might like to start at Why Believe in Jesus Christ?
