hate the sin, love the sinner

[Drich]

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This is an easy one..


first we start with a defination.
In Mark 3 the word is:
βλασφημέω blasphēméō, blas-fay-meh'-o; from G989; to vilify; specially, to speak impiously:—(speak) blaspheme(-er, -mously, -my), defame, rail on, revile, speak evil.

In the beginning of Mark 3:20 forward, The pharisees witnessed a miracle of the Holy Spirit They knew it to be a work of God, but rather than admit God was working in a way not familiar to them they attributed this witnessed miracle to satan.


Now, even in the context of the passage Christ who warns of this sin does not say the Pharisees actually committed this sin. But the assumption is that they did commit this sin as per the definition of the word blasphemeo. If this exegetical assumption is what one is working from, then to blaspheme the Spirit, is to write off, or to cast aside his work and ascribe it to satan.

So then how does this translate to us in modern times and disciples of Christ are long gone and we no longer see demons being cast out?

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We look to the final lasting legacy of the Holy Spirit still active today. In that the Holy Spirit calls us to salvation, the Holy Spirit calls us to repentance. And, since we have been offered this oppertunity to repent as long as we live, to blaspheme the Spirit is to live a life that defies this call to repentance, this call to God. Because ultimatly the Spirit is the intercessor/ambassador of the Father. The Spirit's words are the words of the Father, to defame the Spirit is to defame the personal words the Father uses to reach out to you.

So, it would seem that belief is a prerequisite for this blasphemy, by virtue of one acknowledging that it IS the Holy Spirit 'calling', correct? Possibly something along the lines of: 

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*metaphorical phone rings* 

Hey! Is this Holy Spirit?

Yes, this is Holy Spirit. We need to talk.

Yeah...I figured it was you. Well, I don't feel like talking. 
Do me a favor. Lose this number...got it?

*hangs up*

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It doesn't seem as though an atheist (by definition, at least) would be capable of committing this offense. A God-denier, certainly, but not a non-believer. I asked, because I happened to be wondering about atheists who participate in so-called blasphemy challenges. I'm not sure what would compel an atheist to blaspheme a God he/she doesn't believe in, other than a misunderstanding/misinterpretation of what the word means (in the Biblical context).

And/or a general penchant for cage-rattling, perhaps. 

'Cause let's face it; That's always a blast. 
Am I right? 

I'm not in a position to make any final judgement on what you are or not capable of. Ultimately that is between you and God.

I can tell you what I think. If you grew up in the west, God has called out to you.. Call it a conscience, call it your moral compass call it Jimminnie Cricket it does not matter. but we all have been given an opportunity to want to know or experience more concerning God. Especially each and every member of this forum. (Just on your specific terms and not His) You all are searching for a truth that fits the little box in which you believe the whole universe must yield and work with in. (the box labeled acceptable peer reviewed proof.)

Which was the SAME BOX The Pharisees in Mark 3:20 used to cast out the works of the Spirit that day. They too wanted peer reviewed and accepted proof, before they would acknowledge God. The problem with this version of 'proof'? it gives you control over God. Rather than forces you to acknowledge God on His terms... God must contort Himself to fit your definitions, rather than you be made to seek out His own.

Look at how the last poster I responded to has framed out who God is in her straw man argument. She expects God to be all loving, not just all loving but to her own specific definition of love that includes those she would include. In essence she would dispel any proof of a God who did not conform Himself to her standard... Do you see the problem here? If God must bend to your standard then He ceases to fit the very definition of God (Alpha and Omega) He provided to us!

IF God is Alpha and Omega It means we go to Him on His terms, He will not meet us on ours.