The unforgivable / eternal / unpardonable sin

Bible passages on salvation & unforgivable sin.

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Conflicts in the Bible concerning salvation:

Numerous passages in the Christian Scriptures (New Testament) and the early Christian creeds are ambiguous about what criteria are needed for salvation. They mention:

However, once a person was able to adequately meet the requirement(s), the creeds and Bible verses appear to guarantee salvation to them. Some examples are:

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

Literally interpreted, "whosoever" would include everyone who believes in Jesus, no matter what sins they have committed in the past, present or future.

"He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him."

This passages lists no exceptions for unforgivable sins.

"If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world."

In this case, "propitiation" means the process by which Gods wrath at all the sins of the entire human race is either averted or satisfied.

However, other biblical passages appear to state the opposite: that a person can meet every requirement that the Bible and creeds throw at them, and still remain unforgiven -- and thus remain unsaved and destined to spend eternity in Hell. All they have to do is to commit the unforgivable sin sometime during their lifetime.

Biblical texts mentioning the unforgivable sin:

Three passages in the Christian Scriptures discuss a certain class of sin which God will not forgive. Thus:

All three passages are in the synoptic gospels. Most mainline and liberal theologians believe that the Gospel of Mark was written circa 70 CE, and that the authors of Matthew and Luke copied major portions of Mark into their own gospels. Thus, the Gospel of Mark would have been the original source material for the unforgivable sin.

A fourth and similar passage is found in verse 44 of the Gospel of Thomas. This gospel was widely used in the early Christian church among Gnostic congregations, but was not selected to be part of the official canon. It states:

These passages appear to specify a "one strike and you are out" policy. A single error results in torment and pain lasting an infinite time.

Reference used:

The following information source was used to prepare and update the above essay. The hyperlink is not necessarily still active today.

1. Stephen Patterson and Marvin Meyer, Trans., "The Gospel of Thomas," The Gnostic Society Library, at: http://www.gnosis.org/