Aarti Deegwal
Calvinism holds that God's Holy Spirit cannot be resisted. However, some people are troubled by the idea that they have committed the unforgivable sin of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. This is defined as resisting the Holy Spirit, which is a matter of speech. So how does this fit with the idea that the Holy Spirit cannot be resisted?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Calvinism | The doctrine holds that God's Holy Spirit cannot be resisted |
| Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit | An unforgivable sin |
| Resistance | A process that begins in the heart, ropes in the mind, and then utters words of blasphemy |
What You'll Learn
Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is an unforgivable sin
According to Calvinism, the Holy Spirit cannot be resisted. However, some sources suggest that Calvin's definition of the unforgivable sin as 'resisting' could be his 'shorthand' for blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is defined as 'deliberately and unchangeably rejecting the ministry of the Holy Spirit in calling them to salvation'. This is considered an unforgivable sin, as described in Matthew 12:31.
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The Holy Spirit cannot be resisted
According to Calvinism, the Holy Spirit cannot be resisted. This is because when God decides to save someone, that person will be saved. The Holy Spirit will "graciously cause the elect sinner to cooperate, to believe, to repent, to come freely and willingly to Christ".
However, some people argue that Calvinism and the idea of blasphemy of the Holy Spirit contradict each other. Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is an unforgivable sin, and is committed by "unbelievers who deliberately and unchangeably reject the ministry of the Holy Spirit in calling them to salvation". So, if a Calvinist were to sin, would they not be resisting the Holy Spirit?
Calvin may have been using "resistance" as "shorthand" for a process that begins in the heart, ropes in the mind, and then (sooner or later) utters words of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. Jesus defines the unforgivable sin as "whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come".
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The Holy Spirit causes the sinner to cooperate
In Calvinism, the doctrine holds that the purposeful influence of God's Holy Spirit cannot be resisted. Instead, the Holy Spirit "graciously causes the elect sinner to cooperate, to believe, to repent, to come freely and willingly to Christ".
Calvin defines the unforgivable sin as 'resisting' but does not make it clear that the sin is blasphemy, which is a matter of speaking. In Calvinism, the I in TULIP is irresistible grace. Those God elected cannot resist His grace and that man will answer God's call.
However, some people have been greatly troubled that they have committed the unforgivable sin. Matthew 12:31 says blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is an unforgivable sin. Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit in the ESV Study Bible, says that it is, "This sin is committed today only by unbelievers who deliberately and unchangeably reject the ministry of the Holy Spirit in calling them to salvation".
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The sinner cannot plead ignorance
Calvin defines the unforgivable sin as 'resisting' but does not make it clear that the sin is blasphemy, which is a matter of speaking. However, he does suggest that resistance to the Holy Spirit begins in the heart, ropes in the mind, and then (sooner or later) utters words of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.
Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is an unforgivable sin. It is committed by unbelievers who deliberately and unchangeably reject the ministry of the Holy Spirit in calling them to salvation. This is a matter of speech, as Jesus himself defines the unforgivable sin: 'whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come'.
Therefore, the sinner cannot plead ignorance when they sin against the Holy Spirit. They may resist within themselves, personally, and communally, but they cannot claim that they were not aware that their actions were sinful.
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Blasphemy is a matter of speech
In Calvinism, the I in TULIP is irresistible grace. Those God elected cannot resist His grace and that man will answer God's call. You can't resist it. So how does this fit in with blasphemy of the Holy Spirit where unbelievers resist the ministry of the Holy Spirit? Does the Holy Spirit try to work in everyone?
The doctrine holds that this purposeful influence of God's Holy Spirit cannot be resisted, but that the Holy Spirit, "graciously causes the elect sinner to cooperate, to believe, to repent, to come freely and willingly to Christ."
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Frequently asked questions
Calvinism is the belief that God's Holy Spirit cannot be resisted.
Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is an unforgivable sin.
Blasphemy is a matter of speech.
The unforgivable sin is defined by Calvin as 'resisting'.
The Holy Spirit "graciously causes the elect sinner to cooperate, to believe, to repent, to come freely and willingly to Christ".
