In 2018, Filipino President Rodrigo Duterte questioned in a televised speech the biblical story of man’s creation and asked why God created Adam and Eve only to allow them to succumb to the temptation that destroyed their purity. “Who is this stupid God?” said the leader. “How can you rationalize a God? Do you believe it?” Filipino religious leaders rightly condemned him, calling his statement blasphemy.
Blasphemy connotes a word or deed that directs insolence to the character of God or an element of sacred truth. It is a deliberate and direct attack on the honor of God with the intent to insult Him. Blasphemy robs God of His majesty and holiness and thus is a serious sin (Revelation 13:6; 16:9).
Blasphemy is committed not only by slanderous words (Leviticus 24:11), but by denying Christ (1 Timothy 1:13), idolatry (Nehemiah 9:18), false teaching (1 Timothy 1:20), oppression of the saints (Isaiah 52:5), insulting the poor (James 2:6-7), and profession without practice (Romans 2:24). Be careful what you do, for God is watching.
Kyle Campbell
