Someone posted this question on a “MySpace” message board. Since I took the time to respond, I figured I could make use of my response here as well.
Did C.S. Lewis believe in Purgatory? Yes, but…
Wayne Martindale has a great discussion of this in his recent book, Beyond the Shadowlands (2005, Crossway)…
"To summarize, among theologians who believe in Purgatory, there are two views: Purgatory is reserved for those who are already saved as part of their sanctification or preparation for heaven (that’s one view), or for those who are in the process of being saved (that’s the second). Lewis embraced the first view." (202)
Lewis rejected what he called the "Romish" view of Purgatory- that one could be saved there. For Lewis, no one who is in Purgatory is lost. Rather, people spend time in Purgatory to be cleansed of their sin so they may stand before God in all of His holiness. In Letters to Malcolm he put it this way, "The saved soul, at the very foot of the throne, begs to be taken away and cleansed." (108)
--Roger Overton, from HERE
