An Unforgivable Conspiracy by Vincent Cheung

And so I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. Anyone who SPEAKS a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who SPEAKS against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come....I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every CARELESS word they SPEAK, for by your WORDS you will be justified, and by your WORDS you will be condemned. (Matthew 12:31-32, 36-37)

The standard orthodox definition of the unpardonable sin is that it refers to a knowing, deliberate, and persistent rejection of Jesus Christ. This is obviously a lie, since Jesus defined it as a sin committed by speaking words, and that by speaking words against the Holy Spirit, not against Jesus.

Further, as the context indicates, the immediate application of the doctrine is to what a person says about the works of the Spirit in supernatural and miraculous things such as healing the sick and casting out demons. It is inevitably also applied to prophecies, visions, and speaking in tongues, since Scripture specifies these as the demonstrations of the Spirit as well. The context also indicates that the sin can be committed even by speaking against the Holy Spirit in relation to these things indirectly and carelessly.

Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit receives sharper emphasis and greater coverage in the Gospels, and in more vivid language, than the doctrines of election, baptism, and communion. However, it is the single most distorted, rejected, and neglected major doctrine in the history of the church. All who call themselves Christians, even when they disagree on other things to the point of violence, somehow unite against Jesus on this doctrine.

When this sin is mentioned at all, it is to assure people that they have not committed it. However, Jesus never offered any assurance in connection to this sin. He presented it only as a threat and danger, and as a sin that is possible, even easy, to commit. He never said not to worry about it. He never said not to be afraid. He never said it is difficult to commit or unlikely to happen. He mentioned it so that people would be alarmed about it and avoid committing this unforgivable offense. Instead of dismissing it, we are to increase the concern about it.

Historic orthodoxy insists on an unbiblical definition of this sin, a definition that blatantly contradicts and renounces what Jesus said, as if to disown Jesus himself. The false definition is itself blasphemy, defrauding the reverence that Jesus insisted we must offer to the Spirit of God.

The common definition of this sin is an evasion. It is an attempt to replace the doctrine rather than to explain it. It is dishonest and unintelligent. It portrays centuries of theologians and believers as practically illiterate to have held on to such an absurd definition that is obviously false, and that directly contradicts what the text teaches. It offers misguided hope, and a deadly assurance. Moreover, because it conspires against Jesus' doctrine and warning, diverting attention away from his true meaning, historic orthodoxy makes it more likely for people to commit this sin. Anyone who affirms the false definition becomes complicit in the eternal damnation of many.

In fact, it seems undeniable that some of the preachers, theologians, and religious people who assume the false view of the doctrine have committed the sin themselves. They have spoken against the Holy Spirit in even more explicit and vicious ways than those who triggered the original warning from Jesus. They have done so with full access and knowledge of what Jesus said about this, making them even worse than the original offenders. They purport to teach God's people and oppose heretics, but they themselves have never been Christians, and they can never become Christians. They can never be forgiven, and they can never be saved. They will burn in hell.