What is the unforgivable sin?

[Michael]

Scripture says that Christ stated the unforgivable sin as being blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. What does it mean to blaspheme the Holy Spirit? How is it different from blaspheming the Father and the Son? What does it look like?

[Patti]

The unpardonable sin is the same as blaspheming the Spirit - a continual rejection of Jesus Christ after many, unending promptings.

The Moody Handbook of Theology
states, "Blasphemy is normally thought of as being rendered against God the Father (Rev. 13:6, 16:9). Christ was also blasphemed (Matt. 27:39; Luke 23:39); similarly, the Holy Spirit was also blasphemed (Matt. 12:32; Mark 3:29-30). The blasphemy against the Holy Spirit consisted of attributing the works of Christ to Satan when the Holy Spirit had borne witness to Christ's work as being from the Father." (1995 edition, p. 259)

[Michael]

Cliff writes (via email):

To deny His existence and His impact upon you in full knowledge of His existence and His impact upon you.

[Erick]

I agree with the Moody interpretation as far as the very literal scriptural reference to blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is conerned. Jesus' reference to that kind of blasphemy was in direct connection with the Pharisees attributing the acts of the Holy Spirit in Christ to Satan. Obviously, God being Holy means He does not do evil (see my remarks on why I don't like Calvinism as well). His act of "doing" includes the Holy Spirit, which is the very movement of the Father and the Son. To blaspheme the Holy Spirit could mean a number of different things, but it always boils down to denigrating God's activity in the world.