The unpardonable sin is a concept that has tormented many sensitive consciences over the last two thousand years, though few are clear about what it entails. We explain that this sin is committed when we are awakened to the truth in an undeniable way but reject the truth for the sake of our own advantage. The truths you have discovered through the course of this study now call you to bold action. To ignore the implications of these truths for the sake of convenience is the one thing Jesus describes as inexcusable. This text isn’t about God sending people to hell on a technicality, but rather is about the living hell in which we find ourselves when we deny power of the true kingdom in order to preserve our little, fragile kingdoms.

Since this topic is sometimes hard to get clear in our heads, we offer the following definition (partly tongue in cheek) …

Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit (Mark 3:28—30) [a.k.a., the only unforgivable sin],—

bearing false witness against the sacred (Exodus 20:7)
contradicting the sworn testimony of God in your heart of hearts (Mark 3:29)
calling good evil or evil good for the sake of personal advantage, especially when it results in or covers over mistreatment of children or whoever is at the mercy of those who wield power (Isaiah 5:20)
failing to give true testimony on behalf of those who are oppressed because it is inconvenient (Psalm 72:4)
slandering innocent people one knows to be innocent (Exodus 23:1)
badmouthing the good guys because you’re on the payroll of the bad guys (Isaiah 5:23)
stealing the logo of Jesus and slapping it onto an evil machine (Matthew 7:15)

Discussion Questions [The book study has questions for each chapter like this.]

(You can answer the first two either according to biblical or philosophical understanding, or else according to your own psychological experience.)

1. Do you think you have a conscience?

2. Has your conscience ever steered you wrong?

3. Is there something you are having a hard time doing because of external pressures but you know it is your only ethical option? [This can be a big or little issue, depending on your comfort level with this question.]

4. Make a list of ways in which following the way of Jesus seems to be at odds with political leaders in our times? If any of these are extreme, do you think you might be willing to set aside your patriotism or income for the sake of integrity? [Try and be as specific and concrete as you can. For instance, if you were a general and you were commanded to do something unconstitutional and perhaps evil, what would you do?]

S2E24 Don’t Think About Pink Elephants in the Room (Matthew 12:25-32) PYNwJ 11