AboutChris Larimer Expertise Reformed / Systematic Theology, Biblical Theology, New Testament, Church History, Philosophical Theology, Apologetics, Preaching/Homiletics, Sacraments, and Liturgy are all specialties in which I have some expertise. I've been told I have a "knack" for Practical/Pastoral Theology as well.
Experience I have been a Presbyterian church worker since 1996 and am about to be ordained as a Minister of Word and Sacrament. I served a year long internship in our denomination's Office of Theology and Worship.
Organizations Presbyterian Church (USA)
Publications Call to Worship. ReNEWS. The Presbyterian Outlook (online edition).
Education/Credentials Undergraduate study at King College and East Tennessee State University leading to BA in English, with minors in Sociology and in Humanities (emphasis Classical Studies). Master of Divinity, Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary. Additional study, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Awards and Honors Patterson Scholar in Greek and Latin, LPTS (2003-2006).
J. K. Patterson Graduate Fellow in Church History, LPTS.
PC(USA) Ordination Exams: Bible Content 98%; Greek Exegesis 5/5; Reformed Theology 5/5.
Question I was just reading an unforgivable sin article and I came across a theology question I had in mind.
The article talks mainly about those who have been angry and said some unpleasant things about the Holy Spirit, and how simply being angry at the Holy Spirit, while being a 'regular' sin, isn't enough to qualify. However, when I was much younger, I went through a quite negative phase in my life where I seriously doubted the faith and quit my church attendance. I don't believe that I had verbally or mentally renounced my faith, but my memory of the time is very sketchy.
Recently I have enhanced my studies of the scripture and I stumbled upon this verse. Naturally, I became very anxious and scared. I feel like I may have actually committed the sin, since I didn't just get mad at God, but just stopped thinking about him at the time. Does this mean that I am, for lack of a better word, doomed? Would the situation have changed if I had actually said that I did not believe, as superficial as it may have been? Being in the process of restoring my faith and stumbling across this article, I am extremely worried. I feel my situation is somewhat closer to the verse than simply saying something like "I am pissed off at God." Naturally, I am terrified that a mistake I made when I was younger could cost me eternity, especially since I was a stupid teen at the time. Any advice would be appreciated.
Answer Dan,
I see your question came at 2AM (my time, at least) - a poor time for theological reflection, though fine for prayer.
The blasphemy of the Holy Spirit must be read in context: First of all, blasphemy is a sin that can only be done with words. It’s a sin that you commit with your mouth or with your pen—it’s a verbal sin. It has to do with saying something against the Holy Spirit. You remember that the religious leaders—the clergy, the Pharisees, and the Sadducees—were the ones who were constantly being hostile toward Jesus and stirring up a conspiracy to do him in. They plotted to kill Jesus, and they were constantly attacking him and charging him with this and that.
On one occasion they said that Jesus was casting out Satan by the power of Satan. Jesus then said that any sin against the Son of Man can be forgiven, but if you blaspheme against the Holy Spirit (to ascribe the work of the Holy Spirit to Satan, or to equate them), you’ve crossed the line.
Thus, the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is to equate His works with the Devil's. What is His work? It is to lead us to repentance and faith in Christ. You are CLEARLY a person who is seeking God and is repentant of your past, therefore YOU HAVE NOT COMMITTED THIS SIN.
If you'd like a more exegetical survey of the topic, let me recommend to you John Piper's sermon on a relevant text: http://tinyurl.com/mddmjl
