Here’s another word that is frequently abused in Christian circles. Again, what is usually meant is, "That doesn’t jive with my tradition!" Like "heresy" and "false doctrine" charges of blasphemy are frequently made by the protectors of the realm. A sacred cow gets skewered and the modern Pharisees rise up to condemn the truth bearer.

It is not surprising that we again have a word which has been transliterated from the Greek: blasphemia. That gives the user a great deal of latitude in interpretation and it is misused all too often.

Quite literally, the word means to speak evil of or to be irreverent toward. While it is certainly possible that one could hold a blasphemous position, it is a gross abuse of the word to apply it to someone who honors God, even when they make a statement that may be in error. Blasphemy is a serious error, but most Christian error is not blasphemy.

Christ and his disciples were charged with blasphemy because what they taught differed from the traditions of the Jews. In reality, the Pharisees were the ones guilty of blasphemy because they lacked reverence for the truth of God revealed in Christ. Things haven’t changed much!

The guardians of tradition rail against those who dare to question their understanding and presumed authority. Will the name calling and divisiveness ever end? Can’t we be mature enough in Christ to have honest disagreements and still love one another? Do we really think we can maintain fellowship with Christ while we refuse to fellowship our brethren in Him?

So far as it lies with us, may Christ’s prayer for the unity of believers be fulfilled.

© Copyright 2003 ~ Jim Wade