Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit – commonly referred to as the ‘unpardonable’ or ‘unforgiveable’ sin – has been the cause of a lot of debate, confusion, and anxiety for many.

The primary issue is this: If in Christ we are able to find forgiveness for all our sins, how is it that there is one sin which will never be forgiven – either in this age or in the age to come, as Jesus states in Matthew 12?

Moreover, with such grave eternal consequences, even some believers are filled with concern that perhaps they have, at some point committed this sin and will not be saved after all.

Attempts to explain what blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is vary greatly, and many fail to take in to account the context of the passage where it is mentioned.

While some say that this sin can no longer be committed now that Jesus is no longer in His earthly ministry, others say that it refers to especially terrible sins like murder, and still others say that the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is merely referring to the sin of unbelief – that only those who refuse to embrace Jesus Christ as their Savior have committed it.

In this sermon on Matthew 12:22-32 I endeavor to examine the context of Jesus’ warning about blasphemy against the Holy Spirit in order to rightly understand what it is, who can commit it, and why the consequences are so dire.

In addition to staying grounded in the text, I also seek to understand this verse within the wider context of what God has revealed about our salvation – namely that it is a work of God’s Spirit whereby he convinces us of our sin, enlightens our mind with the knowledge of Christ, and draws us to embrace Jesus Christ through His effectual calling. Those whom the Spirit draws will, ultimately, be saved. The will of God is not overridden by the will of sinful man.

And so I hope that the following sermon will be helpful to you as we consider the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit within the context of Matthew 12:22-32.

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For the full text of this sermon: https://reasonabletheology.org/what-is-the-unforgiveable-sin/
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Were the Protestant Reformers theological innovators, or were they calling the church to return to it’s foundational beliefs and practices?

On this episode I talk with Dr. Matthew Barrett about his new book The Reformation as Renewal: Retrieving the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church.

In this discussion we’ll talk about how the reformation and the men who lead it have often been misunderstood and even misrepresented.

Because rather than attempting to do something new and innovative, they were in fact focused on retrieving the historical Christian faith and correcting errors that had seeped into the church over the ages.

Here’s some of what we cover in this conversation:

• A helpful overview about how the Reformers benefited from and made use of the Church Fathers
• Why understanding the Middle Ages is critical for understanding the Reformation
• Our need to embrace the rich history and tradition of the church that goes back much further than the 1500s

You can find the show notes for this episode at at https://ReasonableTheology.org/Renewal where I will provide additional resources for diving deeper into this topic.

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On this episode, we will explore the life and legacy of a somewhat lesser known yet no less impactful figure in the history of Puritan theology - Stephen Charnock. Known best for his classic work, "Discourses Upon the Existence and Attributes of God," Charnock's ministry continues to impact believers.

We'll take a look at his journey from his conversion at Emmanuel College in Cambridge to becoming a renowned Puritan theologian and Presbyterian pastor, whose ministry was marked by devotion, passion, and skillful preaching.

This episode will also discuss the unique historical context that shaped Charnock’s ministry, from his time in Ireland as Henry Cromwell’s chaplain, to his return to England, and subsequent expulsion from the church due to the Act of Uniformity. Discover how he practiced his ministry privately for fifteen years until he could again openly serve as a pastor.

We will then delve into his most well-known work, "The Existence and Attributes of God," which was written in the last three years of his life. We will cover the 14 discourses contained within this masterwork, providing you with insights into the broad range of topics it covers - from God's existence to His infinite wisdom and power, and His benevolence in relation to His creation.

By the end of this discussion, I hope you'll appreciate the depth of Charnock's contribution to theology and be inspired to take up and read this classic text. Whether you're a pastor, a theologian, or an everyday believer, "The Existence and Attributes of God" offers a valuable opportunity for deepening your understanding and love for God.

So, join me as we uncover the captivating life and works of Stephen Charnock, and let's together appreciate this historical gem of theological literature! Don't forget to pick up your copy of "The Existence and Attributes of God" and join the exploration.

Purchase a Copy Here: https://amzn.to/43tJMDM
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On the night of June 6, 1944, President Roosevelt went on national radio to address the nation for the first time about the the invasion of Normandy, known now as D-Day. His speech took the form of a prayer. 

This is the original audio of FDR's prayer to a nation at war, as he sought God's blessing and protection on "Our sons, pride of our Nation" who had on that day "set upon a mighty endeavor, a struggle to preserve our Republic, our religion, and our civilization, and to set free a suffering humanity." 

Roosevelt asked God to "Lead them straight and true; give strength to their arms, stoutness to their hearts, steadfastness in their faith...."

Here is the audio of FDR's address in full. 

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Raising the spiritually dead to newness of life is the work of the Holy Spirit, yet God is pleased to use the faithful obedience of parents as a means of drawing their children to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

In this exchange with Sean McDowell, we discuss how Christian parents can be more proactive in passing on the faith to their kids. 

Watch the full interview with Sean here: https://youtu.be/b1N0d8pyRpw

See the Show Notes, Read the Transcript, and Watch the Video at https://ReasonableTheology.org/Sean

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Many people are reluctant to share their faith because they are afraid of looking like an idiot. Fortunately, there’s a helpful new book out called “How to Talk About Jesus Without Looking Like an Idiot.” 

In this episode of the podcast I talk with the author of this book, Andy Bannister, about how to grow past being an ‘undercover Christian’ at work, school, and other places outside of church. We talk about how  a right understand of our role in evangelism relieves anxiety about sharing the Gospel, the power of asking good questions, and how we can point people to Jesus more frequently in our conversations.

Enjoy this conversation with Andy Bannister to hear his tips on how  we can have natural conversations with friends, family, and even strangers about our faith.

► For more on this topic, visit https://ReasonableTheology,org/Andy
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Andrew Peterson's 'The Wingfeather Saga' is a captivating series of four fantasy novels that follow the adventures of the Igiby family. The story is set in a world full of interesting people, wonder, and danger, where the characters must confront a variety of enemies, including fangs, toothy cows, and other creatures and adversaries.

The Wingfeather Saga is a must-read for families who are looking for a high-quality, engaging, and deeply meaningful series of books that will capture the imaginations of both children and adults. If you're looking for a series of books that will inspire and encourage your children while also providing a thrilling and enjoyable reading experience, pick up a copy of The Wingfeather Saga.

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Book 1 - On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness: https://amzn.to/41TzVGn
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In a world where Christianity is often portrayed by critics as a force for oppression and intolerance, my guest Mark David Hall offers a different perspective.

In this episode we'll discuss his new book, Proclaim Liberty Throughout All the Land: How Christianity Has Advanced Freedom and Equality for All Americans, which details how Christianity has played a significant role in advancing liberty and equality throughout the history of the United States.

We Talk About:
• How critical views such as those of the 1619 Project portray Christianity
• Ways in which the Puritans helped set the stage for representational government
• The role of Christians during the Revolutionary War era
• How Scripture was misused in our history to support the evils of slavery
• The impact of Christians on the abolitionist movement to end slavery
• How followers of Christ should view their role in the public square today

Listen as we discuss Christianity's important contributions to the founding and growth of the American Experiment with the author of Proclaim Liberty Throughout All the Land.

► For more on this topic, visit https://ReasonableTheology,org/Liberty
► Pick up a copy of Proclaim Liberty Throughout All The Land: https://amzn.to/3n6Sg3T
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The name Herod is mentioned nearly 50 times in the New Testament, but Scripture is not speaking of just one man.

There are five different rulers named Herod referred to in Scripture: Herod the Great, his sons Herod Archelaus and Herod Antipas, and his grandsons Herod Agrippa I and Herod Agrippa II. (Herod Philip would make six, though he is mentioned simply as Phillip).

On this episode, we explore the five different Herods mentioned in the New Testament, including their historical context, where they show up in Scripture, and how they are important to understanding New Testament times.

For more on this topic, visit ReasonableTheology.org/Herod

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On this episode, we will examine the question of whether or not after His death on the cross Jesus "descended into hell" as stated in the Apostles’ Creed. 

While many Christians recite this creed, some have questioned whether the phrase “He descended into hell” should be included due to the lack of an explicit passage of Scripture teaching this.

We will evaluate several possible interpretations of this phrase and compare them to God's Word to see if they hold up. Join me as we delve into the historical context and theology behind this belief and explore the important question of how we should respond if we cannot affirm this particular line in the Apostles' Creed.

► For additional resources on this topic: https://reasonabletheology.org/did-jesus-descend-into-hell/
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• A Recommended Book or Resource to Expand Your Library

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