[Greek] βλασφημέω (blasphēmeō), [Latin] exprobare: to blaspheme, to injure, to injure the reputation of, to slander, to revile, to speak impiously, to speak evil of; 39 scriptures
The Paris Olympic Opening Ceremonies committed a blasphemous act toward God in ridiculing the Last Supper. The central character mockingly makes a “heart shape” figure with her hands.
Greek Hellenism: This term means to utter abusive speech, personal mockery, slander, and blasphemy of gods. Slandering or mocking can apply both to the living and to the dead. Blaspheming a god (deity) essentially questions or doubts the god’s nature (abilities).
Plato’s Republic 2.381e: “Nor again must mothers under the influence of such poets terrify their children with harmful tales, how that there are certain god whose apparitions haunt the night in the likeness of many strangers from all manners of lands.”
Isocrates’ Antidosis 15.2: “Nevertheless I have never deigned to defend myself against the sophists’ attempts to belittle me.”
Aeschines’ Against Timarchus 1.1: “But when I saw that the city was being seriously injured by the defendant Timarchus, I myself was made a victim of his blackmailing—the nature of the attack I will show in the course of my speech.”
Old Testament: Blasphemy can be illustrated by questioning God’s saving power, desecrating His holy name, enslaving and deriding His people, offering idol sacrifices, and making sacrilegious speech. Ultimately, blasphemy is directed against Yahweh (God). Blaspheming the name of the Lord is the only form of blasphemy punishable by death.
GOD WILL NOT BE MOCKED! The Basilica of the Sacred Heart (Sacre Coeur) remains open while Paris experienced an outage. This image is juxtaposed with the blasphemous Last Supper presentation where the central character mockingly makes a “heart shape” with her hands.
New Testament: This term means to blaspheme, to revile, to insult, to slanderously accuse, and to vilify.
God is reviled:
Rom.2:24: “Because of you the name of God is reviled among the Gentiles.” (The present immorality of Israelites is the cause of such defamation. God’s goodness is neglected, disabused, perverted, and condemned. They do not make proper use of God’s generosity.)
Jas.2:7: “Is it not they who blaspheme the noble name [Christ] that was invoked over you?” (Opponents blaspheme Christ [and Christians]. God chose those who were poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom that He promised to those who love Him. The poor were seen by Jesus to really be open to relying on God alone. The rich and powerful in the world often oppress the Christians.)
Can blasphemy be forgiven?
Mk.3:29: “But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never have forgiveness, but is guilty of an everlasting sin.” (This sin attributes to Satan (the power of evil) what is actually the work of the Holy Spirit: victory over demons.)
Others accuse Jesus of blasphemy:
Mt.9:3: “The scribes said, ‘This man is blaspheming.” (Jesus said to a paralytic, ‘Courage, your sins are forgiven.’ Jesus later healed the paralytic. The crowds were struck with awe and glorified God.” (Jesus says to the paralytic that his sins are forgiven. Jesus later heals the paralytic. The crowds were struck with awe.)
Mt.9:26: “The high priest tore His robes and said, ‘He has blasphemed! What further need have we of witnesses? You have heard the blasphemy.'” (The Sanhedrin orders Jesus to state that He is the Messiah. Jesus states that He is the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Power.)
Jesus is reviled by others:
Mt.27:39: “Those passing by reviled [Jesus on the cross], shaking their heads.” (They scoffed at Him, telling Him to save Himself if He is the Son of Man and come down from the cross.” (This scoffing alludes to the devil testing Jesus in the desert.)
Lk.23:39: “Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus saying, ‘Are you not the Messiah? Save Yourself and us.'” (This unrepentant criminal ask Jesus this question, knowing he himself is justly condemned.)
Being reviled by others:
Acts 18:6: “When they opposed and reviled him [Paul], he shook out his garments and said to them, ‘Your blood be on your hands. From now on I will go to the Jews.'” (Paul is essentially done (fed up) with the Jews. Paul begins his mission to the Gentiles.)
1Cor.4:13: “When slandered, we respond gently. We have become like the world’s rubbish, the scum of all, to this very moment.” (Paul speaks to the opposition and persecution that Christians face in an anti-Christian, pagan society.)
1Pet.4:14: “If you are insulted for the name of Christ, blessed are you, the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.” (The writer states that struggling (trials by fire) may come to you. One should rejoice to the extent that you share in the sufferings of Christ. If you go through sufferings, “offer it up” for the salvation of souls.)
False teachers who revile:
2Pet.2:2: “Many will follow their licentious ways, and because of them the way of truth are reviled.” (There will be false teachers who will introduce destructive heresies and even deny the Master. They will bring swift destruction on themselves.)
2Pet.2:10: “Those who follow the flesh with its depraved desire and show contempt for lordship.” (False teachers will be punished just as surely as the fallen angels. The Lord knows how to rescue the devout from trial and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment.)
Jud.1:10: “But these people revile what they do not understand and are destroyed by what they know by nature like irrational animals.” (These false and corrupt teachers revile spiritual things. These people focus on worldly, natural, physical, and sensual concerns.)
Etymology: The Latin verb exprobare means to reproach, to reprove, and to upbraid. A reprobate is an unprincipled person.
Conclusion:
Blaspheme, blasphemy, reprobate
Update: Other derogatory names include Nazarenes and atheists (who believe in one god.)
It is significant to note that the Basilica of the Sacred Heart was constructed in REPARATION FOR EVIL, SIN, DARKNESS, AND DEVASTATION caused by the French Revolution.
GOD WILL NOT BE MOCKED: There are NO coincidences in where God is concerned!
In this secular post-Christian world, there are numerous examples of society’s immorality before God. There are too many examples to choose from: sinning and the celebrating the “right” to do something sinful.
It still remains true to today that a life of simplicity can provide for a greater reliance on God. Yet, on the other hand, the internet and social media can also be useful and effective tools to promote the Gospel message.
In today’s world, Catholics and Christians are often tested by circumstances, by Modernists, and the culture (and media).
There will continue to be those who will mock Christianity and Christians. In response, we all must continue to engage the world. Clergy (cardinals, bishops, and priests) most importantly must speak out and not be silenced in response to blasphemy, scandal, mockery, and heresy.
Many Catholics and Christians are may be often at the point of saying, “I am done with the culture!” But we are still called to engage with and to evangelize the culture.
Both clergy and laity must not be lukewarm and apathetic when blasphemy and scandal occur in the culture.
Traditional and conservative Catholics (and Christians) are often reviled for being “rigid” and having a “nostalgic disease” [by Modernists] in holding on to Tradition and the Traditional Latin Mass.
The Catholic philosopher and professor Edward Fesser rightly points out that this dishonor given to God is more important that our feelings being hurt by this blasphemous Olympic Opening Ceremonies.
“France, the eldest daughter of the Church, what have you done with your baptism?” John Paul II (France, you need to get your act together before God!)
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