There are some big issues that you consider when you talk about Christianity. Sexuality, gender, abortion, prosperity, relevance to present cultural issues, etc. In that list, you’ll be hard pressed to come up with someone who is really passionate about the topic of blasphemy. Which is interesting.
Likewise if you were to take a survey of the most popular of the 10 commandments I’d imagine the only one to be remembered less that not taking God’s name in vain is the one about the Sabbath.
My brother asked me a question recently that stopped me in tracks. Simple question – what is blasphemy?
Let me be honest with you, the question had me stumped. Primarily because it’s not a prominent part of my Christian experience on the surface. I’ve been around issues where people talk about heresy, which has been a bit messy at times, especially as people mistake their zeal for righteousness and forget things such as grace, mercy and compassion in engaging with people who are essentially their brothers and sisters in Christ.
Blasphemy, however. When that comes up, I tend to think of Muslim fanatics who go around condemning writers to death sentences for portraying their faith, their God and their prophets in what is seen as a derogatory fashion.
When people seek to mock or otherwise dismiss Jesus and the Christian issue I am not so much offended as saddened. After all God is big enough, awesome enough and self-sufficient not to need me to get all outraged at those who evidently don’t know what they’re talking about.
The name and character of the Lord are to be treated reverentially not just in speech, but in deed. That sort of affection and devotion is based on knowing and growing in knowing Him.
How is that translated today in an understanding of blasphemy?
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
dmcd
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