Which Sin is Without Pardon?

I have never seen so much theological discussion on TV as we have in the past few weeks.
Every political and social commentator seems to have an opinion on who will or will not go to hell, and even on whether or not hell exists.

Of course Israel Folau started it all just over 12 months ago and then reignited the fuse this year.
And Bill Shorten introduced the hell questions into the recent Federal election campaign in an attempt to score a political point over our proudly Christian Prime Minister.

I have previously congratulated Israel on his courage and bravery, while pointing out his need to widen his view of God's love for His creation and Jesus' success in dealing with the sins of the world 2000 years ago.

However, since then I have been taken to task about the success of Jesus' part in God's plan "to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ". 
[Ephesians 1 : 10 NIV]
I am told there is one sin that will never be pardoned, described as blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.

Truly I tell you, people can be forgiven all their sins and every slander they utter, but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; they are guilty of an eternal sin.”
[Mark 3 : 28 - 29 NIV]

Let's take a close look at this verse as it does seem to contradict so many other verses which confirm that Jesus died on the cross for the sins of the whole world [1 John 2 : 2] and that God is subsequently no longer counting our sins against us [2 Corinthians 5 : 19].

Now, back to Mark 3 : 28 - 29 from the New International Version of the Bible.
Blaspheming is showing contempt and disrespect, often by verbal slandering.
The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God who teaches us, helps us make right decisions, fully reveals the purpose of Christ's mission to us, empowers us and moulds us into the image of Christ.

The Holy Spirit's work is vital to our reconciliation to God and being shaped into co-workers with Christ in implementing God's plan for His creation.
So, blaspheming the Holy Spirit disengages people from this ministry of the Holy Spirit in their lives - keeps them separated from God.

Never (= not ever) sounds pretty final, and is meant to by translation teams who filter their translation process through previously held belief systems.
Eternal reinforces the preceding "never" so that the doctrine of eternal doom for non-believers is written into our English translations, and the plan of God to be the Saviour of the world [1 Timothy 4 : 10] is trumped by man's will over God's.

Let's give some literal translations of Mark 3 : 29 - translations of the words of the original Greek text regardless of what man-made doctrines they might challenge.

But whoever may speak evil in regard to the Holy Spirit hath not forgiveness -- to the age, but is in danger of age-during judgment; [Young]

But, whosoever shall revile against the Holy Spirit, hath no forgiveness, unto times age-abiding, - but is guilty of an age-abiding sin: [Rotherham]

Who but ever may speak evil to the spirit the holy, not has forgiveness to the age, but liable is of age-lasting judgment. [Diaglott]

Yet whoever should be blaspheming against the holy spirit is having no pardon for the eon, but is liable to the eonian penalty for the sin. [Concordant]

But whoever blasphemes against the Spirit, the Holy one, has no excuse throughout the age, but is answerable for a transgression in the Age. [Hart]

It looks like the uninterpreted words of Jesus in Mark 3 : 29 are saying that pardon is not available for a period of time and the penalty for committing this sin is also time-limited.

If we look at Matthew's record of this conversation we will see that the conclusion we have drawn from the literal translations of Mark are indeed the correct ones.

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. [Matthew 12 : 32 NIV]

Even the translators of the "eternal doom" translations have no opportunity to import their doctrine into this verse, so I won't bother quoting the literal versions.

Let me illustrate what this is really saying?
Suppose a criminal is convicted and sentenced to a period of time in jail. He is not pardoned or excused, but after serving his time he is then freed. Society does not keep people in jail after they have served their sentence.
A blasphemer of the Holy Spirit is not pardoned or excused during this age or the next, but after serving his age-during sentence he is then freed. God does not keep people imprisoned (eternally) after they have served their sentence.

Bible versions in which translators have inserted their doctrines as part of their translations need to be read with great caution. Readers of these can totally miss the magnificence and magnanimity of God's plan for His creation and adopt a diminished view of God's love and sovereignty and a blasphemous opinion of the value of Jesus' mission to earth.

I believe the Bible teaches that God is a God of unconditional love and supreme sovereignty with an awesome plan for His creation; and that Jesus was and is a successful Saviour.

So, to answer our opening question: there is no sin without eventual pardon 'so at the name of Jesus everyone will bow down, those in heaven, on earth, and under the earth. And to the glory of God the Father everyone will openly agree, “Jesus Christ is Lord!”'
[Philippians 2 : 10 - 11 CEV]
 
Won't that be a great day!
Blessings, Barry

Israel Folau Has Really Started Something

The scrum being contested by Israel Folau and Rugby Australia has sucked Bill Shorten into creating an irrelevant 'gotcha' moment for PM Morrison on the question of gays and hell - indeed, in the belief or otherwise in hell itself.

I won't repeat what I have written on other occasions here and elsewhere on the eventual destiny of all sinners, including gays, as shown by a correctly translated Bible, but just comment on the poor logic being demonstrated on this issue, particularly by many mainstream Christians.

Let me explain that bit about mainstream Christians.
They are more than happy to say that God is love, that God unconditionally loves us.
They are more than happy to say that Jesus Christ died for the sins of the whole world.
Then they unthinkingly say that what Jesus did was not enough (it needs additional input from us) and that God would be happy to supervise the eternal torment of those sinners who did not offer that input in a place they call hell.

And that illogical conclusion spreads and forms the public's opinion of this place called hell and of God as a savage monster.

Again, without getting into the Biblical arguments, let me ask any parent reading this post three questions.
If your child disappointed you or made a decision you didn't agree with or ran-off-the-rails in some way, would you still love them?
Would you wish or arrange for them to be punished and tortured for the rest of their life?
Or would you do your utmost to find a way to be reconciled to them and put them back on the right path?

As a parent, I would say 'yes' to the first question, 'no' to the second, and 'yes' to the third.
Since the Bible teaches me that God has an even greater love for His creation than I have for my children, I must assume that He would answer those three questions as I have done.

Let's see if the Bible backs up my assumptions here.

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 
[Romans 5 : 8  NIV]

For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive ... The last enemy to be destroyed is death ... so that God may be all in all.
[1 Corinthians 15 : 22 - 28  NIV]

God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people's sins against them.
[2 Corinthians 5 : 19  NIV]

He (God) made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment - to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.
[Ephesians 1 : 9 - 10  NIV]

Not accepting these Biblical facts undermines God's reputation, dilutes the sacrifice of Jesus, and causes embarrassment for genuine Christians who "have put their hope in the living God, who is the Saviour of all people, and especially of those who believe."
[1 Timothy 4 : 10  NIV]

Blessings, Barry

Israel Folau Media Furore

Just over a year ago, I posted a comment here regarding the Israel Folau controversy that Rugby Australia and the general public are wrestling with.
However, the heat has been turned up recently, so I have made my comments more public through mainstream and social media.

Below is a sample of what has been sent to Facebook, The Australian and a SkyNews evening host, based on last year's post.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Could I please add to the discussion by addressing Israel's situation from a Biblical point of view?
He has caused quite a stir in saying God's plan for gays (and others) is that they will go to hell "unless they repent of their sins and turn to God".
The Bible verses Israel usually quotes to support his opinion only describe those who will not be in the Kingdom of God - hell is not mentioned.
Verses like 1 Corinthians 6 : 9 - 10

Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.

So all the Bible (and Israel) are really saying is that there are some people who will not inherit (be present in) the kingdom of God - which is true.

The kingdom of God is the rule of God in the heavens and on earth during the coming ages and is a joint venture administered by Christ and his chosen followers.
Clearly only those reconciled to Christ will be comfortable being co-workers with Christ in this enterprise - those who have been called by God "to repent of their sins and turn to God", using Israel's simple description.

However, the co-workers with Christ in the kingdom are just the "first-fruits' of the eventual harvest.
Beyond those kingdom ages, when we progress into the eternal realm, all of God's creation will be in unity and harmony with God.
Yes, there will be eventual universal reconciliation as a result of what Jesus did on the cross for all of us.

In all his wisdom and insight God did what he had purposed, and made known to us the secret plan he had already decided to complete by means of Christ. This plan, which God will complete when the time is right, is to bring all creation together, everything in heaven and on earth, with Christ as head. [Ephesians 1 : 8 - 10 GNB]

So Israel is "almost" correct. Those sinners not reconciled to God will miss the kingdom of God era: however everyone (all sinners) will be reconciled to God in the eternal realm after the ages have been completed, just as Jesus promised.

"When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to me." [Jesus quoted in John 12 : 32 GNB]

because

Christ himself is the means by which our sins are forgiven, and not our sins only, but also the sins of everyone. [1 John 2 : 2 GNB]

God our Saviour ... wants everyone to be saved and to come to know the truth. For there is one God, and there is one who brings God and mankind together, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself to redeem all mankind. That was the proof at the right time that God wants everyone to be saved ... [1 Timothy 2 : 3 - 6 GNB]

Both parts of the story are needed to show God's love and plan for his entire creation.
All is therefore not lost for those Israel listed in his tweet.

I hope this additional information might help people see the loving side of the position Israel was trying to put.

(Before signing off, let me congratulate Israel for standing up strongly for what he believes.
So few Christians seem to be brave enough to do this, especially if they are being attacked in the public arena and their livelihood depends on their public acceptance.
So well done Israel. I sincerely wish there were more Christians like you.)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Blessings, Barry Tattersall

Who or What is the Real Church? - Part 6

In Part 5 we discussed the specific purpose of the Body of Christ on earth in this current age. But what about its role in the next age, the millennium?

This requires some conjecture as we try to fit together the few clues Paul has scattered throughout his letters. But let's try.

First of all Paul tells us that what he has to reveal about the church, the Body of Christ, had been unknown to earthlings until it was shown to him.
Even the greatest of the Old Testament prophets did not know it.
And Jesus, when on earth, did not disclose this secret to anyone, probably because his ministry then was exclusively to Israel.

Indeed, this information was so exclusive to Paul, that he called it "my gospel".
This is how Paul finishes his letter to the Romans:

Now to him who is able to establish you in accordance with my gospel, the message I proclaim about Jesus Christ, in keeping with the revelation of the mystery (secret) hidden for long ages past, but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God (lit. the God of the ages), so that all Gentiles might come to the obedience that comes from faith.
[Romans 16 : 25 NIV]

This gospel that Paul proclaimed was revealed to him directly by God's Spirit.

We declare God's wisdom, a mystery (secret) that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time (lit. the ages) began.
None of the rulers of this age understood it  ... these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit.
[1 Corinthians 2 : 7 - 10  NIV]

And it was this:

For, among the very first things, I delivered to you what I had also received: that the Anointed (Jesus Christ) died because of our sins, in accord with the scriptures, and that he was entombed, and that he was raised on the third day in accord with the scriptures.
[1 Corinthians 15 : 3 - 4  DBH]

And for those given the faith to believe his gospel, some snippets about their future:

God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.
[Ephesians 2 : 6 - 7  NIV]

His (God's) intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose (lit. the purpose of the ages) that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.
[Ephesians 3 : 10 - 11 NIV]

Do you not know that we will judge angels?
[1 Corinthians 6 : 3 NIV]

My best guess is therefore that the ministry of the church in the next age is ruling with Christ in the heavenlies.
(I therefore think that ruling with Christ on earth is probably the responsibility of redeemed Israel.)

Any improvements on my guess?
Blessings, Barry

Who or What is the Real Church? - Part 5

The real Church, the Body of Christ, has been Called (Chosen) and given Faith and the Holy Spirit for a Specific Purpose.
 
Firstly let's be clear about one thing.
The real Church has both a privilege and a responsibility.
Christ's Body has been chosen as a gift for the benefit of others - they are blessed so they can be a blessing in ways God has pre-ordained and calls "good works".

For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
[Ephesians 2 : 10 NIV]

So what are these good works?
They can be summarised in two categories.
1. To share the good news that God loves every one of His creation and, since Jesus died for the sins of the world, God is at peace with the world.

... a new state of things has come into existence.
And all this is from God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Christ, and has appointed us to serve in the ministry of reconciliation.

We are to tell how God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not charging men's transgressions to their account, and that He has entrusted to us the Message of this reconciliation.
[2 Corinthians 5 :17 - 19 Weymouth]

2.  To serve our community following the example of Jesus.

Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’
This is the first and great commandment.

A second likewise is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.” 
[Matthew 22 : 37 - 40 WEB]

So the message the Body of Christ has been entrusted with is to be conveyed by word and by deed - by sharing the good news of God's reconciliation with the world and by expressing God's love and kindness to our neighbour.

This is the Church's privilege and responsibility - the specific purpose it has been chosen, given faith and empowered by the Holy Spirit for.

We are indeed blessed and equipped to be a blessing to others.
Blessings, Barry