What Does the New Testament Say About Blasphemy?

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I have recently finished reading the New Testament and I am collecting my thoughts about what I read in this series of posts. Today I am writing about what the New Testament says about Blasphemy. Other entries in this series:

1. Slavery
2. The Apocalypse
3. Women
4. Violence
5. Sexuality
6. Obedience
7. Fear

A common message that is preached by Christians is that we are all sinners, and we all deserve the fires of hell. However, God loves us, so he gave us a way to get to heaven despite the fact that we are not worthy for this fate, if we accept Jesus into our hearts we escape the hellfire that we deserve. But is there anything that we can do that God simply cannot forgive us for? Yes! According to Matthew 12:31, Mark 3:28-29, and Luke 12:10 there is exactly one thing, blasphemy against the holy spirit, that is unforgivable. The implications here are pretty interesting, you can be a murderer, rapist, or child molester and get into heaven with no problems by believing in Jesus, but if you speak against the the holy spirit it is over. There is nothing you can do, you will go to hell when you die, end of story. What does it say about God that the highest crime possible is blasphemy?

Those three verses from the gospels explicitly say that blasphemy is the only sin that is unforgivable, giving us the clear message that blasphemy is really the worst sin as far as God is concerned. There a few other clues in the New Testament that this is the case. Jude 8 (which is discussing Sodom and Gomorrah) describes the terrible crimes of those people, the justification for destroying the entire cities. The three named crimes are defiling the flesh, rejecting authority, and blasphemy. Again, not murder, rape, or child abuse, but spitting in God's face. Again, in Revelation 13:5-6 when discussing the beast who is terrorizing the planet, the crime which is mentioned (and therefore the message is sent that it is his worst crime) is blasphemy.

So blasphemy is clearly a very big deal, something that we should all try to avoid. Given that it is the only unforgivable sin, we need to make sure that there is no point in our lives that we are blaspheming, for if we do it once our afterlife is forfeit. So it would be nice if we could get some clarity from the bible on what exactly constitutes blasphemy. Although I found little, there was a bit of a hint in Jude 10 which mentions that people can blaspheme things that they don't understand. Let that sink in a minute, this means that it is possible to commit and unforgivable sin based entirely on ignorance. You could ensure an infinite bath in fire and sulfur based on committing a crime that you didn't understand was a crime.

The New Testament also gives us a few things to avoid, as they could lead to blasphemy. 2 Peter 2:2 says that sensuality leads to blasphemy, and James 2:7 implies that all rich people are blasphemers. This reads to me like pure fear tactics. We already know that blasphemy is pretty much the worst crime in the eyes of God, so it seems like a good threat to throw around if you are trying to control people. In the case of the sensuality, they were talking about false prophets coming in and tricking people to leave the faith with sex. I would argue that the church just didn't want it's followers to listen to any competing ideas, as it opens the door for some potential losses. What about rich people blaspheming? The church has said in the past that you should give them all of your money, this just ups the ante on that, if you are rich then you haven't given the church all of your wealth, therefore you are blaspheming. It sure is remarkable how much sense these passages make if you think about how the church benefits from them.

Revelation 13: Blasphemy is the Worst Sin

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Since this is a continuation of last time, let's copy over the explanation of what each character is supposed to represent according to Guzik

• The woman, representing Israel
• The dragon, representing Satan
• The man-child, referring to Jesus
• The angel Michael, head of the angelic host
• The offspring of the woman, representing Gentiles who come to faith in the Tribulation
• The beast out of the sea, representing the antichrist
• The beast out of the earth, representing the false prophet who promotes the antichrist

The First Beast (v. 1-10)

John saw a beast rising out of the sea with 7 heads, 10 horns, and a diadem on each horn, and blasphemous names on the heads.

What does it mean to have blasphemous names on it heads? Is it like in world of warcraft where everyone's names are hovering over their heads? And what kind of blasphemous names? Like naming your warrior Barabbas? Cause I totally have never done that, I swear!

Guzik says that this speaks to the beasts character. Makes sense to me.

The beast was like a leopard, its feet were like a bear's, its mouth was like a lion's. The dragon gave authority to the beast. One of the heads of the beast had a mortal wound, but then it was healed, the whole earth marveled and followed the beast. They worshiped the dragon and the beast and asked who could fight against the beast.

This I find quite interesting. The people saw the beast heal itself of a mortal wound and then started worshiping it. It really seems that rule by fear is just the way it was back then. Do these people even like the beast, or are they just terrified and worshiping it because they think it will help them from getting killed. When they ask who could fight against it, are they hoping for someone to rescue them from needing to worship this monster?

Apparently the beast described as a leopard, bear, and lion to connect it to Daniel 7. Guzik says that the wound is supposed to establish him as an antichrist, as he is using the tools of Jesus. 

As people worship this beast and bow down before his government, it may be that they do not know they are bowing down to Satan himself; but it is worship of Satan none the less. 

I love this quote, it once again shows the twisted nature of this worldview. Worshiping Satan is bad even if you don't know what you are doing. How can you hold someone accountable for something they did if they didn't understand their actions?

The beast was given a mouth and started saying haughty and blasphemous things. It was allowed to rule for 42 months. It blasphemed against God and those residing in heaven. It conquered the saints and everyone on earth worshiped it. Anyone who is still alive, let him hear "If anyone is to be taken captive, to captivity he goes; if anyone is to be slain with the sword, with the sword must he be slain."

It is interesting that so much attention is put on the blasphemy. This evil being has taken over the world, and his biggest crime seems to be that he is blaspheming. It's mentions blasphemy 3 times. It also mentions that some people are killed, but in a matter of fact way, and in such a way that it sounds like it is all according to plan. It doesn't even come off as the beast is doing this and he is bad, it read more like there are some people who need to be killed and he's doing what he is supposed to do.

Apparently some would say a more apt title than "antichrist" would be "blasphemer". Once again, this simply cracks me up. If his worst crime is saying bad things about someone (especially someone strong enough to take care of himself), then I am not terribly bothered by it. Also, a quote about the 42 months

The beast continues without restraint by God for a period of forty-two months - the familiar three and one-half years. The duration of the period shows that the beast has full reign for the first half of the final seven years, and that during the whole time he is still under God’s authority.

Again, we see acknowledgement that even the 'evil' characters in this story are performing according to God's plan. So anything that they do which is evil is ultimately the responsibility of God.

Here is a call for the endurance and faith of the saints.

How much faith can they have if they are worshiping the beast? From verse 8 "all who dwell on earth will worship it"

The Second Beast (v. 11-18)

A second beast rose out of the earth, it had horns like a lamb and it spoke like a dragon. It makes the inhabitants worship the first beast whose mortal wound was healed. It performs great signs including making fire come down from heaven.

That this guy is a prophet for the beast does make sense. He does similar things that the prophets for Jesus did, but he's working for the other side. What is the deal with the mortal wound? It has now been mentioned twice, so it is clearly important.

He tricked people into making an image of the beast, then breathed life into the image so it could kill people who don't worship it.

Breathing life into the idols is pretty cool, having the idols kill people though, not so great.

He marks everyone's right hand or forehead with the number of the beast, no one can buy or sell unless they have this mark. The number is 666 (footnote: 616 in some manuscripts)

When it says everyone, it clearly doesn't mean everyone as those who don't have the mark can't buy or sell. It is frustrating to me that we can't trust the words that are in here.

I just love numerology

“That as 12, the square root of 144, is God’s number, so 25 is the square root of antichrist’s number 666; and by this enigmatical expression we are taught that antichrist should be a political body, that should as much affect the number 15, as God seemeth to have his church affected the number 12.” (Poole)

What are the lessons from today's reading?

Revelation 13:5-6 Blasphemy is apparently the beasts biggest sin

"And the beast was given a mouth uttering haughty and blasphemous words, and it was allowed to exercise authority for forty-two months. It opened its mouth to utter blasphemies against God, blaspheming his name and his dwelling, that is, those who dwell in heaven."

Revelation 13:10 Even the beast is following God's plan

"If anyone is to be taken captive, to captivity he goes; if anyone is to be slain with the sword, with the sword must he be slain..."

---

Today's Comic: Don't Worship Satan

Jude: When all else fails, use fear

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Back to wikipedia, apparently the authenticity of this book was never doubted, but it's canon status was. "The links between the Epistle and 2 Peter, its use of the Apocryphal Books, and its brevity raised concern." The links between Jude and 2 Peter are that they are too similar, and either one was copied from the other, or they both used a common source.

Greeting (v. 1-2)

Jude identifies himself as the writer and he says he is writing to those who believe in Jesus.

Judgment on False Teachers (v. 3-16)

Be careful, some ungodly people have crept in to the church hierarchy to pervert it.

Now this is interesting, it is basically admitting that there are bad people within the church and that you should be wary of that. I know there have been previous messages about false prophets and such, but this explicitly says that are from within the church, which wasn't the message I got before. I'm not sure if it wasn't implied before or if I was just being thick.

Don't forget, Jesus saved a people out of Egypt, but also destroyed those who did not believe. The people of Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities served as an example of those who deserve a punishment of fire.

It was Sodom and gomorrah and surrounding cities? I don't think I've ever heard that before. Also, I'd like to point out that in this version of the story it is Jesus who is doing these things. I guess this is consistent if Jesus=God.

Don't forget about the angels who sinned and are being kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until judgment day.

Whoa, I'm guessing stuff like this is why the canon of this book is questioned.

These people, relying on their dreams, defile the flesh, reject authority, and blaspheme the glorious one.

Interesting what is chosen as the horrible thing to do, defile flesh (sex), reject authority and blaspheme. These really don't seem like the worst sins to commit to me.

According to Guzik, the bit about their dreams means that they were dreamers out of touch with reality. It also could mean that they were relying on supposedly prophetic dreams. Seems like a reasonable enough interpretation to me.

v10 "these people blaspheme all that they do not understand, and they are destroyed by all that they, like unreasoning animals, understand instinctively."

This verse really jumped out at me. Does it really make sense for blasphemy to be so horrible if the person doing it doesn't understand what they are doing? It's one thing to understand what God is and blaspheme against him, at least that makes sense for God to get irritated by. But if someone doesn't even understand it and blasphemes, it is basically on accident right? I mean, if a young child or a mentally deficient person commits a crime which they don't understand, we don't punish them in the same way we punish an adult who knows what they are doing. You are being punished for ignorance. Furthermore, you are punished for you animal instincts, which presumably God gave you. Seems pretty damn unfair to me.

Enoch prophesied that Jesus would come with 10,000 holy ones to execute judgment on the ungodly.

Why does God need such a posse?

A Call to Persevere (v. 17-23)

Remember that Jesus said there would be scoffers in the last time. Keep yourselves in the in the love of God.  Wait for the mercy of Jesus that leads to eternal life, and have mercy on those who doubt and save them from the fire. To others "show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh."

Again, it seems that the end times are said to be near, although this one is less solid than many others we have seen in the past. Also, I'm not sure what that last line means, but it sounds like we are supposed to save those we can and fear those we can't. 

According to Guzik  this second group must be saved with fear. They need to be confronted more strongly but with the right approach can be saved. I suppose this is consistent with the reading.

Doxology (v. 24-25)

Jesus is great.

For the overview post (If you think I should add or remove stuff from this list please let me know, I think it would make good conversation)

Good:

Jude 4 Be aware of enemies in your midst

"For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ."

Jude 22 Help those who need it

"And have mercy on those who doubt"

Bad:

Jude 8 Sex, disobedience, and blasphemy are the worst sins

"Yet in like manner these people also, relying on their dreams, defile the flesh, reject authority, and blaspheme the glorious ones."

Jude 10 Punished for ignorance and following God given instincts

"But these people blaspheme all that they do not understand, and they are destroyed by all that they, like unreasoning animals, understand instinctively."

Jude 18-19 End times prediction

"They said to you, "In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions." It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit."

Jude 23 Use fear tactics if necessary

"save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh."

2 Peter 2

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False Prophets and Teachers (v. 1-22)

Just as there were false prophets, there will be false teachers who bring destruction upon themselves. Many will follow their sensuality and blaspheme the truth. In their greed they will try to exploit you with false words.

I wonder how you are supposed to tell a false prophet from a real one. Apparently they are sensual, that is one clue given here. Also they will try to exploit you, I wonder how much of their money they could extract out of you, maybe 10% of everything you make?

God knows how to rescue the godly from trials and punish the wicked until judgement, especially those who "indulge in the lust of defiling passions and despise authority". As evidence of this, Peter cites the angels who were cast down, the flood of Noah, and Sodom and Gomorrah.

I think it is interesting that these stories have been chosen as examples of how great God is, they are terrible and in I can't believe they are taught to children. Also, I think it is interesting that the two examples of wickedness that are given are related to sex and obedience.

These wicked people have done a lot of bad things, and therefore "the gloom of utter darkness" is in their future.

A lot of time was spent describing what they do that is wrong, but this seems to be the punchline, their afterlife will be utter darkness. Is this a precursor to our concept of hell? For the record, let's look at the things that these people have done.

v10,12 blasphemy
v13 revel in deception and feast with you
v14 eyes full of adultery.
v14 they entice unsteady souls
v14 greedy
v18 they entice the sensual passions of those who are barely escaping

So basically, they talk bad about God, they trick people, they like sex, and they are greedy. Tricking people is mentioned 3 times, the concern seems to be having people tricked away from their religion. It makes sense from the perspective of the religion itself, but you would think once a member notices this kind of tactic a red flag would go up. Why are they so concerned about losing members? Is this a problem they are having? If I stop a minute and think about leaving will it seem obvious that I should? Why are they setting up such strong barriers here? Which actually leads pretty well into the next item.

If a believer goes back to his sinful ways after coming to Jesus Christ, it is worse for him than if he had never known Jesus.

More of what I was talking about, trying to keep people from leaving the church through fear.

For the overview post (If you think I should add or remove stuff from this list please let me know, I think it would make good conversation)

Bad:

2:2 sensuality leads to blasphemy

"And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed."

2:9-10 lust and lacking obedience are the worst offenses of the unrighteous

"...and to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment, and especially those who indulge in the lust of defiling passion and despise authority..."

2:18 bad people use sex to trick believers away from the faith

"...they entice by sensual passions of the flesh those who are barely escaping from those who live in error."