A Clear and Present Danger
“Truly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the children of man, and whatever blasphemies they utter, but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin—for they had said, He has an unclean spiritâ€
(Mark 3:28-30)
Mark 3:28-30 is a disturbing passage of Scripture. Often, during Bible-based discussions, someone will ask about this passage and the sin of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. We have heard many explanations of it; one which even hints at the idea as being antiquated and no longer a possibility. In the pluralistic culture of our times, where all religions are of equal value, and political correctness is quick to point out bigoted statements, a reconsideration of Mark 3:28-30 may very much be in order.
Text Teaching Cultural Reaction Mk. 3:28 “I say to you†Jesus was just a man. Mk. 3:28 “all sins†Sin is nothing but social problems. Mk. 3:28 “blasphemies†Do not apply in the modern world. Mk. 3:29 “the Holy Spirit†One spirit is as good as another. Mk. 3:29 “forgiveness†If there is a God, he will forgive all. Mk. 3:29 “guilty†Guilt is just psychological neurosis. Mk. 3:29 “an eternal sin†When one dies, life is over. Mk. 3:30 “an unclean spirit†Just more religious gibberish.
What do all of the above cultural reactions have in common?
1. Rejection of Jesus as a prophet.
2. Displacement of biblical faith in favor of psychology and sociology.
3. Assuming that the General Theory of Evolution is correct.
4. Reducing Christianity to a non-credible and laughable world view.
Mark 3:28-30 is a disturbing passage—and it should be!
– Robert M. Housby