Two Books - Part 3
Romans 1:18-21 (ESV):
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.
This passage in Romans is perhaps the most important text of the New Testament concerning the God’s general and special revelation through which he has revealed himself to man. A few important thoughts from this passage:
1. All men “clearly perceive” God’s glory reflected in the created world.
2. They understand its divine implication.
3. They “know” that the Creator exists.
According to this passage, all people have some authentic, accurate knowledge of God. It’s plain to all people. It’s not ambiguous, it’s “plain to them”. So why aren’t all people theists? Paul explains that the natural predisposition of man since the fall is to “suppress the truth”. Why? Well, at least one reason would be to dodge any moral accountability which would be owed to such a God.
This tendency to suppress the truth has been called by Christians the “noetic effects” of the fall. The cognitive or belief-forming faculties of man have been dulled and distorted by sin. So, although all men have ample evidence for the existence of God, many will choose to suppress that truth. Only through God’s grace and special revelation of himself in Christ can any hope for salvation.