Shepherd the Flock

The usage of the word ‘Blasphemy’ is sometimes casually thrown around by Fundamentalists in our day, almost to the point that using it in reference to an evangelical, protestant church has robbed it of its true definition and force. The dictionary defines blasphemy as irreverence, cursing God, or profaneness towards things holy and sacred, etc. Of course, we could research its use in scripture as well.

But one thing I admire about John Piper is the fact that he is not shy about using the ‘blasphemy’ card when necessary; but more specifically, he uses tends to use it in ways we’re not used to hearing. Of course we’ve heard the fundamentalists who says our clothes, hair-styles, or music style is ‘blasphemy’, and I’m not denying that it is possible to blaspheme with those things. But Piper tends to use it in a very profound way; he uses it properly, in my opinion, as he applies it to irreverence towards God Himself even when all of our words and actions seem to be just fine on the surface.

Take the quote below for an example:

“The design of the universe…is very magnificent and shouldn’t be taken for granted. In fact, I believe that is why Albert Einstein had so little use for organized religion…he must have looked at what the preaches said about God and felt that they were blaspheming. He had seen much more majesty than they had ever imagined…” [Charles Miner quoted by John Piper]

[Piper now]: “The charge of blasphemy is loaded. The point is to pack a wallop behind the charge that in our worship services God simply doesn’t come through for who He is. He is unwittingly belittled. For those who are stunned by the indescribable magnitude of what God has made, not to mention the infinite greatness of the One who made it, the steady diet on Sunday morning of practical how-to’s and psychological soothing and relational therapy and tactical planning seem dramatically out of touch with Reality –the God of overwhelming greatness.” - Let the Nations be Glad!

Not to belabor the point, but I agree with Piper in that there is not a more common form of blasphemy today than churches under the banner of Christ who specifically tailor their ministries with sermons of self-help, moralism, and how-to’s, not to mention the general comedy, entertainment, and gimmicks they rely on to get people to show up. Oh, they will tell you that they believe the bible, rely on the bible, and that they live very sincere lives in their attempt to ‘reach people’ and ‘make a difference in the community’, but it isn’t their specific words (in sermons) and doctrinal statements that are blasphemous, it’s rather a far more serious blasphemy than that.

Are you in touch with reality? –The reality that there is an infinite holy God with infinitely sovereign power who will return to earth infinitely furious with sin? You may say that you believe that, but giving people anything other than the pure milk of the Word and a pleading with them to turn from their sins of moralism, worldliness, indifference, and self-righteousness communicates a drastically different message…namely, a blasphemous message.