Paul is teaching that God overlooked the worship of Idols in the past, because of the ignorance of Pagans. But from now on (after Jesus' coming), God will judge people, because he gives proof of who God is; The resurrection. The resurrection is the mark between ignorance and knowledge about God.Now read 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 people are without excuse.
Here, Paul is teaching that ignorance of God cannot possibly happen, since God's qualities are known from the beginning of the creation, therefore, all Idolaters are guilty and they will be condemned, no forgiveness offered for them whatsoever.
Two counts of Contradiction:
1/ Knowledge of God came since the creation (Romans 1), VS Knowledge of God came only after the resurrection (Acts 17).
2/ God overlooked Idolatry before Christ (Acts 17) VS God punished Ancient Idolaters (Romans 1).
Hey 1moreMuslim, how are you? Hope all is well. I come to you in the name of Christ.
ReplyDeleteI'll start by correcting you (respectfully) you quoted the wrong number in Romans. It's Romans 1:20
"Here, Paul is teaching that ignorance of God cannot possibly happen, since God's qualities are known from the beginning of the creation, therefore, all Idolaters are guilty and they will be condemned, no forgiveness offered for them whatsoever."
That's NOT what Paul was teaching with all due respect. You are taking that verse out of context because you are isolating the verse from the rest of the preceding verses.
Let me show you how it is out of context (I will be paraphrasing so the words in brackets are mine and I will capitalize words within the verse for emphasis).
Romans 1:18-20:
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who HOLD the TRUTH in unrighteousness; (The men who hold the "TRUTH", truth = Jesus, are EX believers, not Pagans)
19 Because THAT WHICH MAY BE KNOWN OF GOD is manifest in them; for God HATH SHEWED it unto them.
(Proof that he's talking about Ex believers, he says "THAT WHICH MAY BE KNOWN" God has "SHOWED" it to them)
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:
("THEY" Ex believers)
(Why are "THEY" not excused?)
21 BECAUSE that, WHEN THEY KNEW God, THEY glorified him not as God, neither were thankful ; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened
(More proof he's talking about EX believers. Key to understanding this is the use of "KNEW" to indicate prior belief)
"1/ Knowledge of God came since the creation (Acts 17), VS Knowledge of God came only after the resurrection (Rom 2)."
Correct me if I'm mistaken, but where does Acts 17 say that knowledge of God came since the creation?
Peace