Shift in Blasphemy

“God is God and I am not
I can only see a part of the picture He’s painting 
God is God and I am man
So I’ll never understand it all
For only God is God...
Can I form a single mountain
Take the stars in hand and count them
Can I even take a breath without God giving it to me
 He is first and last before all that has been 
Beyond all that will pass”
Steven Curtis Chapman

Blasphemy has long provoked passionate disputes by attacking sensitive issues. Across history, religious beliefs and figures have been frequent targets of such blasphemous mockery and vulgarity directed at the sacred. However, a fascinating shift has emerged in modern times, unveiling a new dimension to blasphemy. Today, blasphemy is seen as a challenge to the notion that humans are all- powerful beings capable of shaping their own reality, which disputes the idea of humanity as immune to uncontrollable constraints.

The Traditional Perception of Blasphemy
Blasphemy traditionally involves deeds or words showing contempt, irreverence, or disdain toward God or religious doctrines. These were seen as direct insults to God’s sanctity and teachings. Biblical texts reveal the gravity of blasphemy and the punishment which results. Leviticus 24:16 exemplifies the reverence ancient Israelites had for the purity of God’s name because it deterred disrespect while stressing and safeguarding God’s inherent sanctity. For ancient Israelites, blasphemy jeopardized religious and community harmony and challenged God’s supremacy and divine authority. Punishing blasphemy in ancient Israel thus helped maintain sanctity and community adherence to teachings, and deterred irreverence. Exodus 22:28 reinforces this by prohibiting speaking ill of God or cursing authorities. Jesus underscores blaspheming or rejecting the Holy Spirit as an unpardonable offense in Matthew 12:31-32.

The Modern Shift: Man as God
Today, we find an interesting shift in blasphemy where the focus has shifted from religion to humanity itself. Though not directly labeled blasphemy, the essence remains the same, objecting to the elevation of human abilities, intellect, and preferences over objective truth and rejecting limitations beyond human control. Modern blasphemy manifests as questioning the exaltation of humans to unlimited power, with the presumed capacity to craft reality and transcend physical constraints. It asserts humans can determine their fates and shape reality as supreme authorities, disregarding any biblical perspective on humanity’s rightful place. At its core, this modern shift in blasphemy revolves around challenging the unchecked elevation of humanity to godlike status and rejecting views that posit human intellect and will as the highest authority rather than recognizing God’s supremacy. In essence, modern blasphemy challenges elevating humanity to godlike status, unchecked by limitations: It embraces the notion that humanity can transcend all constraints to author its own reality.

The Biblical Stance: God is God, and Man is Not
Yet Scripture affirms that humans are made in God’s image (Genesis 1:27), meaning human essence and existence come from God the Creator, not themselves. This challenges the idea that people can define themselves unconditionally or have total control over life while rejecting any limitations. The Bible reminds us that humans are inherently limited, finite, vulnerable, and subject to the natural order. It acknowledges human fragility, that God remembers we are dust (Psalm 103:14). Scripture warns against presuming certainty about the uncertain future. While we may make plans, outcomes remain beyond our full control. Our fleeting lives underscore recognizing God’s sovereignty over our plans. As Proverbs 16:9 states, God ultimately establishes our steps. Psalm 127:1 says human efforts are futile without God. Scripture thus affirms the boundaries of human capability and the supremacy of God's authority.

Scripture presents a sobering view of human capability, designed for purpose yet constrained by moral frailty. Though made in God’s image (Genesis 1:27), humans also bear the scars of inborn sin (Psalm 51:5). We emerge both as purposefully designed yet profoundly flawed. The Bible also emphasizes human plans are subordinate to God’s higher plans (Proverbs 19:21), that His thoughts and ways far exceed our finite understanding (Isaiah 55:8-9), and that His knowledge dwarfs even the wisest human judgments.

Trusting solely in human wisdom and reasoning often leads us astray. Our tendency to elevate personal preference and intellect above God’s truth echoes Adam and Eve’s first disobedience. Scripture warns that “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.” (Proverbs 14:12, ESV). Seeking fulfillment through human tradition or philosophies apart from God constitutes folly. Scripture cautions us not to be taken “captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.” (Colossians 2:8, ESV). Instead, we must embrace the boundaries of our humanity. Our life on earth is fleeting, for “All go to one place. All are from the dust, and to dust all return.” (Ecclesiastes 3:20, ESV). True wisdom acknowledges that God alone is omnipotent, not finite and frail humanity. We shine most brightly when reflecting His glorious image rather than seeking the illusion of godlike autonomy apart from His wisdom and lordship.

Our free will is illustrated through examples like Joshua 24:15, where Joshua proclaims “Choose this day whom you will serve.” In Deuteronomy 30:19-20, God presents the choice between “life and death,” imploring obedience. Genesis reflects this theme through Adam and Eve, who chose to disobey God’s lone command by eating the forbidden fruit and prioritizing human will over divine wisdom. While these examples affirm free will’s power to direct our steps, the Bible also cautions against elevating human will over God’s. We are encouraged to embrace reality and accept humanity’s fragility, remembering our existence and nature are tied to God the Creator. Our identity originates in God’s divine design, not in our notions and actions.

In summary, modern blasphemy no longer just targets God and religion, but it is revealed in the elevation of man as a godlike figure. It is seen as questioning the prevailing views of humanity as omnipotent, capable of unlimited self-determination. Scripture provides sobering reminders of the confines of human existence and the supremacy of acknowledging God’s authority. It emphasizes divine influence on human identity and purpose and calls us to reevaluate assumptions about human control and limitations. It serves as a reminder that God alone is God, not man. Embracing these truths fosters a deeper understanding of the intricate relationship between man and God. The choice remains whom to serve—God or man.