Interesting Stephen and welcome to CR !
I am of the opinion that your approach might work with certain people and not with others.
For example: The "rich man" at the front of the church boasting in his prayers how much better he is than the rest, and how much he gives and keeps the laws...your approach might get to those types of people. Likewise with people who think they are just moving along fine, neither good nor bad (fence walkers).
But for the poor wretch in the back of the church who can't even lift his eyes up to the alter, and who keeps thumping his breast and asking God to have pity on him...or those who are actively searching, and know something better is out their, if they could only get hold of a piece of it, I don't think that approach would work very well at all.
Pardon the cliche, but "shock and awe" doesn't allways work.
I also have a different idea of what "blasphemy" is:
blasphemy : [from Greek; blas- (to curse, bring harm, or treat with contempt) + -pheme (speech)] Speaking about God with contempt, hatred or disdain; trash-talking against God. It's not about letting loose a swear word or doing some religious act in a so-called "profane" style. It's not even about being angry with God. Even the truest saints have done such things, in part because they were so true that they could be honest with God and humankind. (Remember that when the charge of so-called 'blasphemy' is used by authorities to silence their opponents.) However, true blasphemy is verbally abusing the God who loves you.
Can man really hurt the Almighty Creator of the Universe, All Stars and All Time? When you were a child, you probably said things that brought your parents to tears and anger; if so, you hurt them the way you can hurt God. Or think of someone you had a close friendship with, but somehow your trust was betrayed. You were close, but bitter things were said and you're now distant and separated. And it stings. Blasphemy is when it's done willfully, with intent and meaning. God forgives blasphemy, and tries to do something about the separation. But the true blasphemer won't accept that forgiveness, as if to say : "Let me get this right : you forgive me?? HA !! What nerve!". And so they seal their future. The bigger problem is that too often others join in the harangue, and when that happens, those others also are separated from God.
Taking the Lord's name in vain is just that using the Lord's name in a useless, and unproductive way. I think that commandment is put in place for a simple but profound reason...when the name of God is invoked, a tremendous amount of power builds up for immediate release. Now how the invoker uses that power determines whether it was wasted or constructively issued. Have you ever said to someone "Godd#*mn you" in anger? What instant reaction do you observe from the recipient of that "curse"? Hurt, recoil, anger, shock, lowered self esteem, loss of composure and words. The response is almost allways a weakend attempt at defending themselves against that attack. The "sin" is the wrath behind the curse. The curse itself is a waste of the power of God.
On the other hand, I have observed people using "God Bless your heart" as a response while angry with someone. Totally different reaction. Chastised yes, but not beaten down, and not feeling less than human. The power from invoking God's name is positive here, even in an angry situation.
The OT's Ten Commandments taught us not to "Act" in certain ways. But the NT teaches us to not "Think" in certain ways, which preceeds action.
Do not become proud, do not envy, do not be wrathful, do not be lazy, do not be greedy, do not be a glutton, do not lust. Do not think these ways, for therein lies sin.
Hey, you asked for comments...
v/r
Q
I am of the opinion that your approach might work with certain people and not with others.
For example: The "rich man" at the front of the church boasting in his prayers how much better he is than the rest, and how much he gives and keeps the laws...your approach might get to those types of people. Likewise with people who think they are just moving along fine, neither good nor bad (fence walkers).
But for the poor wretch in the back of the church who can't even lift his eyes up to the alter, and who keeps thumping his breast and asking God to have pity on him...or those who are actively searching, and know something better is out their, if they could only get hold of a piece of it, I don't think that approach would work very well at all.
Pardon the cliche, but "shock and awe" doesn't allways work.
I also have a different idea of what "blasphemy" is:
blasphemy : [from Greek; blas- (to curse, bring harm, or treat with contempt) + -pheme (speech)] Speaking about God with contempt, hatred or disdain; trash-talking against God. It's not about letting loose a swear word or doing some religious act in a so-called "profane" style. It's not even about being angry with God. Even the truest saints have done such things, in part because they were so true that they could be honest with God and humankind. (Remember that when the charge of so-called 'blasphemy' is used by authorities to silence their opponents.) However, true blasphemy is verbally abusing the God who loves you.
Can man really hurt the Almighty Creator of the Universe, All Stars and All Time? When you were a child, you probably said things that brought your parents to tears and anger; if so, you hurt them the way you can hurt God. Or think of someone you had a close friendship with, but somehow your trust was betrayed. You were close, but bitter things were said and you're now distant and separated. And it stings. Blasphemy is when it's done willfully, with intent and meaning. God forgives blasphemy, and tries to do something about the separation. But the true blasphemer won't accept that forgiveness, as if to say : "Let me get this right : you forgive me?? HA !! What nerve!". And so they seal their future. The bigger problem is that too often others join in the harangue, and when that happens, those others also are separated from God.
Taking the Lord's name in vain is just that using the Lord's name in a useless, and unproductive way. I think that commandment is put in place for a simple but profound reason...when the name of God is invoked, a tremendous amount of power builds up for immediate release. Now how the invoker uses that power determines whether it was wasted or constructively issued. Have you ever said to someone "Godd#*mn you" in anger? What instant reaction do you observe from the recipient of that "curse"? Hurt, recoil, anger, shock, lowered self esteem, loss of composure and words. The response is almost allways a weakend attempt at defending themselves against that attack. The "sin" is the wrath behind the curse. The curse itself is a waste of the power of God.
On the other hand, I have observed people using "God Bless your heart" as a response while angry with someone. Totally different reaction. Chastised yes, but not beaten down, and not feeling less than human. The power from invoking God's name is positive here, even in an angry situation.
The OT's Ten Commandments taught us not to "Act" in certain ways. But the NT teaches us to not "Think" in certain ways, which preceeds action.
Do not become proud, do not envy, do not be wrathful, do not be lazy, do not be greedy, do not be a glutton, do not lust. Do not think these ways, for therein lies sin.
Hey, you asked for comments...
v/r
Q
