Does the Church define blasphemy against the Spirit (the unforgivable sin)?

[Hatikvah]

If so, what is this definition?

One source says that Christians cannot commit this sin, and then somewhat defines it:

Therefore, when the Pharisees accused Jesus of casting out demons by the power of Satan, they were blaspheming the Holy Spirit by whom Jesus performed His miracles. This is unforgivable because it struck at the very heart of the redemptive work of God in Christ.

Can you give me a Church definition (if there is one)? Thanks!

 

[frangiuliano115]

If so, what is this definition?

One source says that Christians cannot commit this sin, and then somewhat defines it:

Can you give me a Church definition (if there is one)? Thanks!

You gave a link and I did look at it but don’t have enough time to read it all.

I can only say that both protestants and catholics agree on the definition.

This is from the CCC no. 1864: Catechism of the Catholic Church
Don’t know if you have a copy so I’ll type it out but I’m not fixing mistakes!

CCC no. 1864

TFherefore I tell you, evey sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the sprirt will not be forgiven. (Mathew 12:31) There are no limits to the mercy of God, but anyone who deliberately refuses to accept his mercy by repenting, rejects the forgiveness of his sins and the salvagtion offered by the Holy Spirit. Such hardness of heart can lead to final impenitence and eternal loss.

You blasheme the H.S. when you don’t believe in God.

The pharisees were saying that Jesus was casting out demons in the name of satan so they were denying that God was casting them out - thus denying the work of God - and thus denying God.

Did the pharisees really accept God and His teachings? Jesus was very mad at them so I’d have to say the answer is no. So they were blaspheming the H. S.

Something about christians committing this sin. If you’re CHRISTIAN, in the true sense of the word - then you have not committed this sin. It’s impossible!

Fran

 

[Confiteor_Deo]

St. Thomas Aquinas says that blasphemy against the Holy Ghost may be defined in three ways:

•Sometimes, and in its most literal signification, it has been taken to mean the uttering of an insult against the Divine Spirit, applying the appellation either to the Holy Ghost or to all three Divine persons. This was the sin of the Pharisees, who spoke at first against “the Son of Man”, criticizing the works and human ways of Jesus, accusing Him of loving good cheer and wine, of associating with the publicans…

•On the other hand, St. Augustine frequently explains blasphemy against the Holy Ghost to be final impenitence, perseverance till death in mortal sin. This impenitence is against the Holy Ghost, in the sense that it frustrates and is absolutely opposed to the remission of sins, and this remission is appropriated to the Holy Ghost, the mutual love of the Father and the Son…

•Finally, several Fathers, and after them, many scholastic theologians, apply the expression to all sins directly opposed to that quality which is, by appropriation, the characteristic quality of the Third Divine Person. Charity and goodness are especially attributed to the Holy Ghost, … so the sins against the Holy Ghost are those that are committed from downright malice, either by despising or rejecting the inspirations and impulses which, having been stirred in man’s soul by the Holy Ghost, would turn him away or deliver him from evil. Catholic Encyclopedia

The sins against the Holy Ghost are unpardonable. This is an absolute in the second definition given by St. Thomas Aquinas because mortal sin cannot be pardoned after death. However, the other definitions present pardonable blasphemies against the Holy Ghost, but it is highly unlikely that a person will become repentant when they commit those blasphemies because they are rejecting the Holy Ghost and His divine graces which are the source of contrition and pardon. “He who, from pure and deliberate malice, refuses to recognize the manifest work of God, or rejects the necessary means of salvation, acts exactly like a sick man who not only refuses all medicine and all food, but who does all in his power to increase his illness, and whose malady becomes incurable, due to his own action.”