Thursday, October 31, 2013

What is the Unpardonable Sin?

I have never been a fan of John MacArthur because he is such a crackpot disguised as a theologian. Of course there are some things he has right but his latest book and conference Strange Fire reminds me what a nut he can be. So now that I am done with a little name calling (yes, I feel better) let me get to my point.

MacArthur throws out the baby with the bath water. Sure there are many excesses in the Charismatic stuff but his type of people (Calvinist) have many problems of their own too.
Click on picture for larger view
But here is my point: in looking down his nose at a huge crowd and movement, MacArthur may be putting himself in danger of committing the Unpardonable Sin.

Many people wonder what the Unpardonable Sin is and many answer incorrectly. The usual wrong answer is unbelief. The right answer is attributing the work of the Holy Spirit to Satan. So if the Holy Spirit is behind some of the things MacArthur attributes to an unholy or false spirit, well you get my point.

Here is the Scripture; Jesus explains the Unpardonable Sin:

Then a demon- oppressed man who was blind and mute was brought to him, and he healed him, so that the man spoke and saw. And all the people were amazed, and said, "Can this be the Son of David?" But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, "It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this man casts out demons." Knowing their thoughts, he said to them, "Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand. And if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. Or how can someone enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? Then indeed he may plunder his house. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.
Mat 12:22-32

Well that's it. Fire away.

Philip