Though only 17, high school senior Perri Frost
has met more than her share of atheists and
agnostics. For several years she has been
reaching out to fellow teens who are skeptics,
including some who post videos on the internet
insulting God.
"Some of the teens who seem most hostile
toward God are the same ones who emphasize
that they are rational thinkers," she says. "It
seems odd to want to insult Someone who
supposedly isn't there."
Regarding the videos, Frost is referring to "The
Blasphemy Challenge," an Internet-related
activity that encourages people to post a clip
of themselves cursing God or renouncing the
Holy Spirit's work in their life. The more brazen
clips include assertions that the person
willingly accepts the consequences this action
(including hell) incurs should it turn out that
God does exist.
Blasphemy-challenge promoters make no
secret of their desire to promote atheism
among teens. One website offered to send a
free DVD documentary against Christianity to
teens who post a video rejection of God online.
One of the project's organizers told Fox News,
"It (the blasphemy challenge) exposes the
crock that is Christian doctrine."
Some Needed Clarifications
Online atheists base their so-called "blasphemy
challenge" on Scriptures such as Mark 3:29 in
which Jesus says, "But whoever blasphemes
against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven;
he is guilty of an eternal sin" (ESV). On the
basis of this Scripture, some atheists fault God
for apparently being unable or unwilling to
forgive this specific sin.
But what exactly is blasphemy? Are there
unforgivable or unpardonable sins? How does
one know whether or not they have "crossed
the line" and passed beyond the point of God's
forgiveness?
Biblical examples of blasphemy imply
irreverence or slander against God. But the
term also means, "to spurn." The Scriptures
alluding to "blasphemy against the Holy Spirit"
imply a two-fold indictment against the leaders
who personally encountered Jesus while He
was here on Earth: They refused to
acknowledge Jesus as the Messiah, plus they
accused Him of being empowered by Satan. To
say the least, they spurned Jesus.
Considering the Context
Barry Leventhal, Ph.D., is director the Jewish
studies program at Southern Evangelical
Seminary. Regarding passages that deal with
blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, Leventhal
states, "There is a difference
between an unpardonable sin,
and the unpardonable sin. The sin which
ultimately places a person beyond God's
forgiveness is to live and die in the act of
unbelief. That is, to reject Christ."
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Most scholars agree that Jesus' ominous
warnings about "blaspheming the Holy Spirit"
represent a situation unique to the time that
Christ was on Earth. Leventhal explains, "Jesus
had presented Himself as Messiah to the
Jewish leaders. With irrefutable evidence, He
had done everything necessary to validate who
He was."
Because the religious leaders were intimately
familiar with all of the Old Testament
Scriptures—and because the incarnate Lord
was right in front of them—these particular
Jewish leaders had been entrusted with an
unparalleled amount of revelation. "For them to
stubbornly maintain that posture of unbelief
and then to attribute Christ's work to the devil
—this rejection of God's overtures was the
inexcusable, unpardonable, "blasphemy of the
Holy Spirit," Leventhal explained.
Could a Christian Commit the Unpardonable
Sin?
Some Christians struggle with a nagging fear
that they may have committed an unforgivable
sin. Verses like 1 John 1:9 reminds us that
when people come to God in repentance and
faith, "the blood of Jesus Christ His Son
cleanses us from all sin." Rom. 8:1 assures
believers: "There is now no condemnation for
those who are in Christ Jesus."
Jesus taught that part of the Holy Spirit's work
in the world would be to reveal to people their
sinfulness and need for salvation (John 16). A
healthy concern about sin evidences the fact
that the Holy Spirit is still at work in a
person's life. To feel contrite about sin is proof
that one hasn't committed something
unpardonable.
Effective Witness in an Age of Doubt
Interestingly, the taunts of blasphemy-
challenge videos are directed almost
exclusively at the God of Christianity.
"The online atheists and teens who are into the
blasphemy challenge are almost exclusively
opposed to Christianity," says Frost. "There are
almost no complaints against other faiths.
Virtually all of the atheists rail against
Christianity only."
The rise of spiritual skepticism and outright
blasphemy are vivid reminders that Christians
must strive to be authentic. After listing the
spiritual qualities that ought to be tangibly
present in a Christian's life, Gal. 5:23 says that
"against such things there is no law." In other
words, "it can't be argued against." The
blasphemy of an unbelieving world is tangibly
answered by a testimony of Christ-likeness on
the part of God's people.

http://www.charismanews.com/opinion/45236-the-blasphemy-challenge-tempts-teens-to-curse-god


Romans 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 1:19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 1:21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 1:22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 1:23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 1:24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 1:25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. 1:26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 1:27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. 1:28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; 1:29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 1:30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 1:31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 1:32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWZyuxevrWk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwwYzW7TUv0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5IyOFGXyKTc