Intellectuelle

Blasphemy-What is it?

We "sort of"- "kind of" know, but what is it, really? Starting with an English language definition,
the choice I would make is:

"noun
1. blasphemous language (expressing disrespect for God or for something sacred)
2. blasphemous behavior; the act of depriving something of its sacred character;

"desecration of the Holy Sabbath"
"An irreverent or impious act, attitude, or utterance in regard to something considered inviolable or sacrosanct."

and

"A contemptuous or profane act, utterance, or writing concerning God or a sacred entity."

Who commits it?

Blasphemy is caused either directly or indirectly. It is direct when one utters something disrespectful and derogatory about God or something holy, and it is indirect through the utterances which derive from actions that give cause for such disrespect. That is why Christians can be responsible for causing blasphemy to God.

The first instance is represented by this scripture:

"1 Peter 4:14
If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified."

The second by this scripture:

"Titus 2:5
to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed."

We see and hear blasphemy committed every day, and not only at the hands of profane artists who put crosses in urine or actors who rail against God and His name. No, they are the least of our worries, I think. It is those of us who for our own ends would rather behave in ways that bite and devour each other... or manufacture a cover-up for each others embarrassing, yet unrepented sins, that cause the most damaging blasphemy.

And if we see this, then it is time to get on our hands and knees...nay, our faces upon the ground and repent. Change our ways, and be very, very sorry to God for all the trouble we are responsible for.

In all this, are we always cognizant of our wrong in this matter? I think we are oftentimes not. Too often we are simply trying with best of intentions to make our own version of righteous acts in a situation. But this is when we find the Proverb coming into play: "There is a way that seems right to man, but the way thereof leads to destruction". Does God see and know this? He does. Does this get us off the hook? I think it makes a place for mercy, but we still have to correct what is leading us all into some very unfortunate and damaging situations.

How can it be avoided?

I personally believe that we can avoid blaspheming God in these areas of omission and confused thinking. What it takes is attention to how God instructs us to act in the first place, toward each other...especially in sticky contentious situations.
The first line of defense is the manner of investigation of a wrong. I don't know how many times I have seen slipshod Christians trample these basic steps for addressing wrong. The steps are:

Go first to the one with whom you have a dispute. Try to talk, try to reason, try with real effort to work things out. Yes, it takes time and effort.

People being what they are, this may fail to resolve matters and require a next step: take two or more people to again, try and work out a solution and come to an understanding to make things right. Should this be unproductive, there is one step left:

Take the matter and the accusation of wrong before the Church, publicly. Put it on trial among yourselves.

Too often, someone steps in to circumvent the procedure, many times out of good but awry intentions. Instead of the balance of justice, more iniquity follows, and resulting blasphemy to God with all the tongues that wag and the trampling of those who might have hoped for redress should the steps have been faithfully followed.

I see many of these points illustrated in the Calvary Chapel fiasco that has been written of, here.

It isn't just the leaders that are caught and exposed that are miscued in righteousness- it is endemic throughout our Christian practices. We are so eager to jump to our own conclusions - whether we err on the side of mercy for some, or condemnation for others, making ourselves the law, the jury, the executioners or acquittors. It is quicker than the long drawn out due process of the instructed procedure. It makes us feel more like saviors or judges.... or God.

I think more than a little "respect of persons" and self preservation is at work in the mangled outcomes. I think unchecked pride and prejudice is involved as well. It isn't just "them". It's us, all of us, and we need to change this. Is a talented pastor 's word worth more than that of his woman parishioner? Is a well-known Evangelical's reputation worth more than the integrity of the congregation and ministry? Do we believe what we want to- and dismiss the proper steps of investigation of wrongs?

How many hurts have to happen and be swept under the collective rug before we decide to just do what is right?

We need to change how we behave toward one another when we suspect wrong. To avoid facing wrong is to not avoid a possible outcome of blaspheming God. To jump the gun ... is to kill reputations and mar peoples lives, which will also wrong God and His reputation.

What is the path of proactive Christian behavior? I think Peter gave an excellent set of steps:

"add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Key in the list is patience, it is pivotal to getting the others to balance. If one looks at it, the opposite of blasphemy is glory. To go about the correct steps even when they seem insufficient in our own judgment of how matters should be dealt with, or our feelings about the parties involved, is to give God glory. Real justice gives God glory, a trumped up justice that appeals to our desire to "make things better", does not.

When God tells us how to do things, His burden is light- it is not an onerous task to do things His way... let us, in our own personal jurisdictions of our lives, determine to patiently take God's steps to relate to one another, to leadership, and to God Himself. Let's not cut corners in our Christian walk anymore. Let's take time to investigate the matters before us thoroughly, to not shirk discipline, to allow matters to take their course, rather than "saving" someone from their actions.

This is also a principle in recognizing boundaries. We shouldn't step in to take on responsibility to work out someones wrongs, but allow time for them to see and develop a right action, themselves... and if they won't, to take the consequences, themselves. Bearing one another's burdens means to help that person do what is right- not excuse them from doing what they ought to do as mature and responsible people; and not to do it for them.

This is the way we can give God the glory due Him, and not incur criticism to His name as Christians who just won't behave the way they should. We need to see the direct correlation between how we act, as His representatives, and what others understand of God. It is more than a small mistake to short circuit God's directives in discipline and judging a situation. We might find more of the truth, greater equity, and more lasting peace, as a result.

=====footnotes

Scripture concerning Christian redress of wrongs:

Matthew 18:

15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.

16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.

17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

=====

definition:blasphemy