- Jun 29, 2019
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The ground of Western Civilization is soaked with the blood of people whom others determined had committed heresy and blasphemy. Oh, did the keepers of the New Testament lose their wits and go mad in the process of engaging on a crusade to annihilate those thought to have committed either one or both, and recruiting others in the process! The Inquisitors questioned with glee the unfortunate who were dragged before them for sentencing and their execution, if they didn’t die first from torture. Oh how the Inquisitors discussed their own righteousness amongst themselves, in the spirit of members of service clubs such as the Rotories and Kiwanis who might brag about reservations they have to VIP places!
How quaint that nowadays the topic of heresy and blasphemy is brought up. But it wouldn’t be unusual if, like in days of old, more who may be accused of such will suffer more than those who purposely engage in such.
How can that happen? Man has a natural quest for knowledge, but often on the way to such knowledge they risk walking on eggs or stepping on a boobytrap of sorts. Some are unfortunate enough to attempt to reach for knowledge by sticking a proverbial hand through the fires of those who will not tolerate attaining such knowledge. Woebegone those who upset the oxen cart in trying to understand the Word of God that it carries!
Anyway, a little housecleaning to simplify things. Heresy is generally defined as -(the act of having) an opinion or belief that is the opposite of or against what is the official or popular opinion, or an action that shows that you have no respect for the official opinion. This can apply to any authority, not just in matters related to God. Blasphemy is something that you say or do that specifically shows you do not respect God or a religion. So, for convenience’s sake, we can just discuss blasphemy.
In terms of the things you say, the Bible seems to narrow blasphemy down to talking against God Himself. Luke 12:10 says, “And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.” The Son of Man is Jesus himself as a mediator between man and God. Based on that definition you can accuse Jesus of things that are belittling and you wouldn’t be committing blasphemy. On the other hand, the Holy Spirit is that which represents the intent of Jesus and God to make that spirit available to each of us. If we speak without respect for the Holy Sprit we would be committing blasphemy.
Let’s say a person has committed blasphemy. Would it serve the interests of the rest of us in our efforts to hold him accountable? James 1:19-20 says “Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” To be sure, Romans 3:23 says “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God...” Calls to mind Jesus saying to the people with rocks in their hands that only those who never sinned can stone a certain woman accused of sin.
Seems that in this day and age, people understand that accusations of blasphemy flying about do not serve a practical purpose and can cause anger from people, let alone from God. A person’s anger does not make them righteous. If anything, it implies the person wants others to see he knows something that the rest of them don’t. Problem is, many of those he may be talking to, might have other things on their mind for better or for worse. Best to resolve problems by taking care of them instead of just complaining about them. Let the cart fall where it may, but God’s Word is what we should be reaching for.
How quaint that nowadays the topic of heresy and blasphemy is brought up. But it wouldn’t be unusual if, like in days of old, more who may be accused of such will suffer more than those who purposely engage in such.
How can that happen? Man has a natural quest for knowledge, but often on the way to such knowledge they risk walking on eggs or stepping on a boobytrap of sorts. Some are unfortunate enough to attempt to reach for knowledge by sticking a proverbial hand through the fires of those who will not tolerate attaining such knowledge. Woebegone those who upset the oxen cart in trying to understand the Word of God that it carries!
Anyway, a little housecleaning to simplify things. Heresy is generally defined as -(the act of having) an opinion or belief that is the opposite of or against what is the official or popular opinion, or an action that shows that you have no respect for the official opinion. This can apply to any authority, not just in matters related to God. Blasphemy is something that you say or do that specifically shows you do not respect God or a religion. So, for convenience’s sake, we can just discuss blasphemy.
In terms of the things you say, the Bible seems to narrow blasphemy down to talking against God Himself. Luke 12:10 says, “And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.” The Son of Man is Jesus himself as a mediator between man and God. Based on that definition you can accuse Jesus of things that are belittling and you wouldn’t be committing blasphemy. On the other hand, the Holy Spirit is that which represents the intent of Jesus and God to make that spirit available to each of us. If we speak without respect for the Holy Sprit we would be committing blasphemy.
Let’s say a person has committed blasphemy. Would it serve the interests of the rest of us in our efforts to hold him accountable? James 1:19-20 says “Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” To be sure, Romans 3:23 says “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God...” Calls to mind Jesus saying to the people with rocks in their hands that only those who never sinned can stone a certain woman accused of sin.
Seems that in this day and age, people understand that accusations of blasphemy flying about do not serve a practical purpose and can cause anger from people, let alone from God. A person’s anger does not make them righteous. If anything, it implies the person wants others to see he knows something that the rest of them don’t. Problem is, many of those he may be talking to, might have other things on their mind for better or for worse. Best to resolve problems by taking care of them instead of just complaining about them. Let the cart fall where it may, but God’s Word is what we should be reaching for.
