Romans 1:20. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.
2007-10-17 21:22:46 · 10 answers · asked by Sam 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Why “Inexcusable”
Are you moved to give God glory? The vast majority of mankind are not, some even denying that God exists. For instance, one astronomer wrote: “Was it God who stepped in and so providentially crafted the cosmos for our benefit? . . . A heady prospect. Unfortunately I believe it to be illusory. . . . God is not an explanation.”
Scientific research is limited—restricted to what humans can actually observe or study. Otherwise it is mere theory or guesswork. Since “God is a Spirit,” he simply cannot be subjected to direct scientific scrutiny. (John 4:24) It is arrogant, therefore, to dismiss faith in God as unscientific. Scientist Vincent Wigglesworth of Cambridge University observed that the scientific method itself is “a religious approach.” How so? “It rests upon an unquestioning faith that natural phenomena conform to ‘laws of nature.’” So when someone rejects belief in God, is he not simply exchanging one type of faith for another? In some cases, disbelief appears to be a deliberate refusal to face the truth. The psalmist wrote: “The wicked one according to his superciliousness makes no search; all his ideas are: ‘There is no God.’”—Psalm 10:4.
Belief in God is not blind faith, however, for there is overwhelming evidence of God’s existence. (Hebrews 11:1) Astronomer Allan Sandage said: “I find it quite improbable that such order [in the universe] came out of chaos. There has to be some organizing principle. God to me is a mystery, but is the explanation for the miracle of existence, why there is something instead of nothing.” The apostle Paul told Christians in Rome that God’s “invisible qualities are clearly seen from the world’s creation onward, because they are perceived by the things made, even his eternal power and Godship, so that they [disbelievers] are inexcusable.” (Romans 1:20) Since “the world’s creation”—particularly since the creation of intelligent human creatures, who could perceive God’s existence—it has been evident that there is a Creator of immense power, a God worthy of devotion. Those who fail to acknowledge God’s glory are thus inexcusable. What evidence, though, does creation provide?
2007-10-18 00:18:50 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think Paul might be saying that the invisible qualities of God CAN be seen in all the wonders of creation. It's not like God came down to earth and said "Hey people, at 2:00 o'clock this afternoon I'm personally going show you how I made flowers and trees." I think Paul might be saying that even though God didn't take us and show us things, all we have to do is look around and we can see them for ourselves.
2007-10-18 04:42:17 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
interpreted by psalm14
1 The fool says in his heart,
"There is no God."
They are corrupt, their deeds are vile;
there is no one who does good.
2 The LORD looks down from heaven
on the sons of men
to see if there are any who understand,
any who seek God.
3 All have turned aside,
they have together become corrupt;
there is no one who does good,
not even one.
4 Will evildoers never learn—
those who devour my people as men eat bread
and who do not call on the LORD ?
5 There they are, overwhelmed with dread,
for God is present in the company of the righteous.
6 You evildoers frustrate the plans of the poor,
but the LORD is their refuge.
2007-10-18 05:39:23 · answer #3 · answered by Mosa A 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is enough evidence available to man through the revelation of creation and man's God-given abilities to observe , understand, and interpret such revelation, to know not only that God is, but also who He is.
2007-10-18 04:53:17 · answer #4 · answered by Bill W 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Well, having read the whole chapter, it seems to me that Paul is railing against alleged religious elders in Rome (his native people), who know the word of God, but have corrupted it for their own use and benefit.
But that's just one fellow's opinion.
2007-10-18 04:30:39 · answer #5 · answered by Tut Uncommon 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
basically it's go outside and take a look around, where did this all come from if not from god; believe it or burn, it's your own fault. it sounds profound but is a very weak argument for the existence of god.
2007-10-18 04:30:41 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
his invisible qualities have clearly been seen? yes, that makes a lot of sense...
2007-10-18 04:27:40 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
Sounds pretty self-explanatory to me
2007-10-18 04:30:48 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
The Holy Spirit is the true interpreter of scriptures, as all of us knows it is the Holy Words from God and Lord Jesus Christ, and God is Spirit, John 4:24.
for human interpretation sometimes varies on two things;
1. one who interprets in his favor (trying to twist the scripture to favor or justify his interpration!)
2. one who interprets with hypocrisy then he gives a hypocrite interpretation!
I will use KJVR:
Rom 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse. Gen 3:22 And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever: Gen 3:23 Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken.
Gen 3:24 So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.
That with all the things that all of us see and experienced day by day: the life, the wind, the sun, the moon, the water we drink, the trees, the rain and all the things that are naturally existed, then no one can tell that there is no God, neither can't believe that God doesn't exist! For where these things come from if there no Mighty Creator God?
Therefore, the pagan or those unbelievers has no excuse to say, they didn't hear the Gospel of Lord Jesus Christ that they must be granted favor to enter the Kingdom of God! But they must remember, God is Holy so no unholy things can be with a Holy God! Meaning, the law of God written by Moses is the one that guides us to know that we are sinners and need a Savior to saved us from the wrath of God!
Rom 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written. The just shall live by faith.
Rom 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
Rom 1:19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath showed it unto them. AMEN.
As we know some of us is trying to please God and Lord Jesus Christ by their own tradition not knowing the truth; Joh 5:39 Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
Mat 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
2Co 5:18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
2Co 5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
2Co 5:20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us; we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.
2Co 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
Therefore:
1Sa 15:22 And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.
Eph 2:7 That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Act 5:28 Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.
Act 5:29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
AMEN.
2007-10-18 05:28:31 · answer #9 · answered by Ephesians 2:8 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
wow....talk about alot of nothing to explain nothing! The guy that wrote that should of been a politician.
2007-10-18 04:31:04 · answer #10 · answered by stewart t 5 · 1⤊ 5⤋