Why is denying the holy ghost unforgivable?

[_consiglieri]

The Holy Ghost gets offended easily.

He can't stay up past midnight, can't go in bars, can't be around screaming children, gets offended by swear words and, actually, the breaking of any commandment.

So, if you deny him that is the last straw!!!

LOL!

The last time I was teaching the New Testament four years ago, I noted that Matthew introduces this idea in what appears to be a very specific context.

He has just healed a person, and done so by "the power of the Spirit,"but the Pharisees attribute his "driving out the devil" from this person as having been performed by the prince of devils.

It is here that Jesus warns them not to blaspheme against the Holy Ghost, adding that such a sin cannot be forgiven.

In the context of the New Testament story, the "sin against the Holy Ghost" appears to specifically be the public claim that an act done by the power of the Holy Ghost is done by Satan.

HOLY GHOST = SATAN = BLASPHEMY

Here's the story in it's entirety.

All the Best!

--Consiglieri

Matthew 12:22 ¶Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw.

23 And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David?

24 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.

25 And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand:

26 And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?

27 And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges.

28 But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.

29 Or else how can one enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house.

30 He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.

31 ¶Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.

32 And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.

33 Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit.

34 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.

35 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.

36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.

37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

[_schreech]

What exactly are we denying him? A twinkie, sexual release, the right own a handgun?

[_moksha]

Consiglieri, if I understand your message correctly, then what Jesus meant was to not ascribe miraculous happenings to Satan or some evil doing. This is a far cry from the Holy Ghost becoming petulant and holding a grudge for eternity.

[_Hoops]

The last time I was teaching the New Testament four years ago, I noted that Matthew introduces this idea in what appears to be a very specific context.

He has just healed a person, and done so by "the power of the Spirit,"but the Pharisees attribute his "driving out the devil" from this person as having been performed by the prince of devils.

It is here that Jesus warns them not to blaspheme against the Holy Ghost, adding that such a sin cannot be forgiven.

In the context of the New Testament story, the "sin against the Holy Ghost" appears to specifically be the public claim that an act done by the power of the Holy Ghost is done by Satan.

HOLY GHOST = SATAN = BLASPHEMY

Here's the story in it's entirety.

All the Best!

--Consiglieri

I agree Connie. And go even a step further, considering the context, I would argue that this is a national sin, one that only Israel can commit.

[_Morley]

I agree Connie. And go even a step further, considering the context, I would argue that this is a national sin, one that only Israel can commit.

Please clarify, Hoops. Only Jews can sin against the Holy Ghost?

[_Willy Law]

The last time I was teaching the New Testament four years ago, I noted that Matthew introduces this idea in what appears to be a very specific context.

He has just healed a person, and done so by "the power of the Spirit,"but the Pharisees attribute his "driving out the devil" from this person as having been performed by the prince of devils.

It is here that Jesus warns them not to blaspheme against the Holy Ghost, adding that such a sin cannot be forgiven.

In the context of the New Testament story, the "sin against the Holy Ghost" appears to specifically be the public claim that an act done by the power of the Holy Ghost is done by Satan.

HOLY GHOST = SATAN = BLASPHEMY

Here's the story in it's entirety.

All the Best!

--Consiglieri

I agree Connie. And go even a step further, considering the context, I would argue that this is a national sin, one that only Israel can commit.

Not to mention it never happened in the first place.

[_cksalmon]

Consiglieri, if I understand your message correctly, then what Jesus meant was to not ascribe miraculous happenings to Satan or some evil doing. This is a far cry from the Holy Ghost becoming petulant and holding a grudge for eternity.

Consig has ably sketched an exegetically-based and quite broadly-held interpretation of the passage in question: (with variable emphases) so Calvin, N.T. Wright, Robert Mounce, Thomas Rees, William Hendriksen, etc. I'm sure examples could be multiplied by the dozens, but I'm limiting myself to what is near to hand.

Of course, a proper understanding of the passage renders the Rational Response Squad's exhortation to "blasphemy" unintentionally farcical. Please don't tell them; they seem to enjoy it so much.

I think I can suggest a way in which those who wish to participate in the Blasphemy Challenge can tighten up their intended offense:

(1) Stipulate that Jesus existed (not particularly controversial for non-Price-ites)
(2) Stipulate that Beelzebub existed during the relevant time period
(3) Stipulate that demons exist, generally
(4) Stipulate that Jesus actually healed a man who was possessed by a demon
(5) Stipulate that the New Testament accurately records this event
(6) Attribute Jesus' accurately-recorded miracle of healing a genuinely-demon-possessed man to a power bestowed upon him by Beelzebub

If you're* interested in this sort of thing, those steps should get you well on your way. NB: I'm not commending it to you, just trying to prevent you from parroting stupid things like: "but he won't forgive you for denying the existence of the Holy Spirit."

* "you" != moksha

[_quark]

I deny I ever felt that guy (the holy ghost). Sorry dude. Does it even matter that I say sorry?

[_Some Schmo]

What exactly are we denying him? A twinkie, sexual release, the right own a handgun?

I think they mean denying him candy at Halloween. Those holy ghost costumes aren't cheap, ya know.

[_Doctor CamNC4Me]

Evolution.

Revolution.

Convolution.