Ask the Pastor: The Logos, Unforgivable Sins, Satan Cast Down
by the Rev. Walter Snyder
Religion Columnist
     Q: What does the word LOGOS stand for? I mean, what does each initial stand for?
     A: These are not initials. ~Logos~ is the Greek word for "word." In a broader sense,
it can also mean knowledge, study of, reckoning or accounting, explanation or reason,
statement or discourse. Thus, it is used in English words such as psychoLOGY (the study
of the mind), bioLOGY (the study of living things), and theoLOGY (the study of God).
     Scripture has a special use for Logos: This is the word used in John 1, "In the
beginning was the Word (Logos) and the Word was with God, and the Word was God . . . .
And the Word (Logos) became flesh and tented among us." In other words, this Word is the
Son of God, Jesus Christ. See also passages such as Revelation 19:13, where Christ wears
this name as part of his garment. Also, it is good to keep this underlying meaning in the
back of our minds whenever Scripture speaks of preaching or hearing the Word: When we truly
preach or hear God's Word, we are truly preaching or hearing Jesus (e.g., 2 Timothy 4:2
and 1 John 1:1).
     Q: Is there an "unforgivable sin"? If so, where is it mentioned in the Bible and can
Christians commit this sin; why or why not?
     This is known as "the sin against the Holy Spirit." What sin is unforgivable, then?
Only that which pushes the Spirit away, that is, outright rejection of our salvation
through the merits of Jesus Christ. Ephesians 4:30 warns, "And do not grieve the Holy
Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption."
     Judas did this when he despaired of forgiveness and hanged himself. Pharaoh did this
as he hardened his heart against the Lord until the Lord finally and completely hardened
Pharaoh's heart. On the other hand, David committed adultery and murder, yet believed in
God's mercy, repented and was saved. So also Peter, who denied Jesus, and Paul, who
persecuted the Church and who gave assent by his witness to the stoning of Stephen, were
restored by Spirit-created repentance and the forgiveness of sins.
     Q: Where in the Scriptures can we find the account of when Lucifer was cast out of
Heaven?
     Jesus said (Luke 10:18), "I was watching Satan fall from heaven like lightning," when
the Seventy disciples returned with their accounts of the demons' submitting. It seems
that this is anticipation of what would happen as a result of his death, resurrection, and
ascension (Rev. 12), where the "lady" (Mary/the Church) bears the Child (Christ) who then
ascends and precipitates Satan's being finally driven out from heaven.
     A new commentary by Dr. Louis Brighton argues rather convincingly that until this
time, Satan had the same access to the heavenly presence of God as he did at the time of
Job, but that since that time, and because of the atoning sacrifice of Christ, he can no
longer accuse (which is what "Satan" means) the saints of any guilt before God.
     To Ask the Pastor, please write Ask the Pastor, PO Box 12, Emma, MO, 65327 or send
email to askthepastor@aol.com. I look forward to hearing from you.
     Walter Snyder is the pastor of Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Emma, Missouri and
coauthor of the book "What Do Lutherans Believe."