PECTIVEPECTIVE January 2013 • Volume 6 • Issue 1 PIRSPIRSThe Quarterly Theological Newsletter of the Pacific Institute for Religious Studies

The Pacific Institute for Religious Studies (PIRS) is the educational ministry of Sovereign Grace Baptist Church of Silicon Valley 271 W Edmundson Ave • Morgan Hill, CA 95037 • www.sgbcsv.org • (408) 778-5930

Inside This Issue The New Normal? #1 I remember when the gospel had The Perversion of God’s power to save men from their sin! Moral Standard • The New Normal? By M. A. Carling In this statement I am implying that The Perversion of God’s Moral Standard many do not believe that the gospel Michael A. Carling has power to save. In their desire to be front page Once upon a time in our country, the “normal” state of affairs concerning more pragmatic they pervert the true marriage was the union of one man gospel by promoting a false gospel. • Did God Hide Himself? with one woman. According to a new What sayeth the scripture? Romans 1:21-32, Part 2 “situation comedy,” the “New Normal” Dr. Paul S. Nelson Rom. 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the page 6 is something different. The premise of this “comedy” centers on the trials and gospel of Christ: [why?] for it [the gospel] is the power of God unto salvation to tribulations of two homosexual males • Images from Church History every one that believeth; to the Jew first, with successful careers who find that and also to the Greek. page 8 the only thing missing in their lives is a child. Since it is physically and natural- ly impossible for them to conceive, a #2 I remember when the Lord Jesus single mother comes to the rescue and Christ was the only hope agrees to act as a surrogate. Hilarity for salvation! ensues; homophobes are exposed; life is good again. Is it time to stop looking to the Lord Jesus Christ as the only saviour and It seems more and more these days hope for mankind? Is our hope in that Hollywood and the news media dic- Muhammad, Buddah, or the Pope? tate to us what is “normal.” How many What sayeth the scripture? PIRS Faculty shows today now contain at least one gay character? Slowly but surely John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the Hollywood is planting the evil seed that way, the truth, and the life: no man gay, lesbian, transvestitism and other cometh unto the Father, but by me. perversions are ok and should be [The Greek of “I am” is VEgw, eivmi, embraced as “normal.” Has the bar- “I myself (and no one else) am...”] rage of TV shows, commercials, school policies, denial of the rights of private Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in businesses, etc., made you succumb to William R. Downing, M.Ed., Th.M., Ph.D., D.D. any other: for there is none other name Director the “New Normal”? under heaven given among men, where- by we must be saved. Paul S. Nelson, Ph.D., Th.M. Sadly, there are also many “new nor- Department of Apologetics mals” in the world of Christianity. Has Acts 16:31 ...Believe on the Lord Jesus truth really gone out of style? Have we Christ, and thou shalt be saved,... James A. Billings, Th.B., M.Div. Department of Church History already come to the point where we look back with nostalgia to the way 1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God, and Mark A. Bailon, Th.M. things used to be? Will we find our- one mediator between God and men, the Department of Theology & Biblical Languages selves making the following nine state- man Christ Jesus; ments in reflection? Arthur L. Mellon, Ph.D. Department of Middle East Studies #3 I remember when holiness wasn’t an option! Michael A. Carling, M.Ed., Th.M. Adjunct Faculty for PIRS Satellite Institute in Marysville / Yuba City, California Can we really live like the devil and still be saved because at some point in PIRSpective • The Theological Newsletter of the Pacific Institute for Religious Studies • January 2013 our life we gave our heart to Jesus? Is it #6 When did God change His mind The woman’s answer is evasive and ok to live the so-called carnal Christian concerning women pastors or blame–shifting, although she admits to life? What sayeth the scripture? women in leadership positions being beguiled or deceived. She mini- within the church?1 mized her responsibility and claimed, in Heb. 12:14 Follow peace with all men, effect, “The devil made me do it!” This and holiness, without which no man shall This may be a sensitive issue for proneness to deception has far–reach- see the Lord: some, but not for a biblical Christian. ing effects into our own time, even to It all begins with the Fall in Gen. 3. It the place of women in the church. Note is here that we have the historical point the following deceptions: Mary Baker #4 I remember when the scriptural call at which sin entered the human race Eddy, founder of the cult known as was to “repent and believe the and significantly impacted creation. Christian Science; Ellen G. White, co- gospel” instead of “God loves you founder of the Seventh-day Adventist and has a wonderful plan What was the exact moment when for your life”! Church. sin entered into the human race? It was before the woman ate of the fruit. It What sayeth the scripture? Is there a New Testament commen- grew through ignorance and seduction tary on Eve’s transgression? which caused the woman to doubt the Mark 1:14-15 (14) Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Word of God, lust after the forbidden 1 Tim. 2:8-14 (8) I will therefore that men Galilee, preaching the gospel of the king- fruit, and then finally seduced to act in pray every where, lifting up holy hands, dom of God, (15) And saying, The time is open defiance of the Divine Command. without wrath and doubting. (9) In like fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at manner also, that women adorn them- hand: [God loves you and has a wonder- The Lord God established the head- selves in modest apparel, with shame- ful plan for your life? No!] repent ye, and ship of the man through the priority of facedness and sobriety; not with broided believe the gospel. the man’s creation and necessity of a hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; (10) But (which becometh women pro- headship in the Divine order. He later fessing godliness) with good works. Some might say of verse 15 that made the woman as an helpmeet for Jesus missed a perfect opportunity to the man, a complement to the man or [ In vs. (9) the term “modest” is construed urge His audience to give their hearts something that completes. In the temp- with “behavior,” not “apparel.” Lit., to Him. I guess some are not above cor- tation and Fall, it seems evident that all Likewise women in manner of dress (or recting even our Lord. the serpent had to do was probe and apparel) orderly, with modesty and sobri- push the man and the woman accord- ety to adorn themselves (referring to con- ing to their natural, yet sinless tenden- duct), not with plaiting and gold or pearls #5 Is preaching the truth of the Word cies. Their original righteousness was or costly raiment, but in great contrast to now outdated and so last century? evidently fragile. There was either some that, what suits women professing rever- failure on Adam’s part to carefully ence, such as good works. Thus, women ought to adorn themselves in suitable What sayeth the scripture? instruct his wife in the Word of God or apparel and a modest and sober behav- failure on her part to carefully hear 2 Tim. 4:1-5 (1) I charge thee therefore iour.] God’s Word. There were evidently some before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at inherent characteristics in the woman’s (11) Let the woman learn in silence with his appearing and his kingdom; [Paul personality which made her more sus- all subjection. [A woman, in silence, then exhorts Timothy with a string of five ceptible to the temptation. She was emph., let her keep on learning in all obe- aor. imper. commands] (2) Preach the prone to speak up while her husband dience, submission, or subordination] word; be instant in season, out of sea- was willing to let her. She felt that she (12) But I suffer not a woman to teach, son; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all needed to fill a void that Adam had pas- nor to usurp authority over the man, but longsuffering and doctrine [why?]. (3) For sively provided. to be in silence. the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their Eve was seduced by the cunning of There are two distinct commands own lusts shall they heap to themselves the serpent, but Adam, failing to act here: 1st, But to teach, emph., a teachers, having itching ears; (4) And responsibly as the head of the relation- woman, emph., I do not allow, (an they shall turn away their ears from the absolute restriction). 2nd, Nor to gov- truth, and shall be turned unto fables. (5) ship, acted willfully, and as the respon- sible head under God, was held prima- ern or have authority over a man, but, But watch [pres. imper. “keep on watch- in great contrast to this, to be in ing”] thou in all things [Timothy], endure rily accountable by God. silence. Why is this? Are women incom- afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of [or fulfill] thy ministry. What was Eve’s response to the petent? question of the Lord God? (13) For Adam was first formed, then Eve. [Adam was the God ordained head of that Gen. 3:13 And the LORD God said unto relationship, not Eve. That headship and the woman, What is this that thou hast leadership extends into the church] done? And the woman said, The serpent (14) And Adam was not deceived, but the beguiled me, and I did eat.

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woman being deceived was in the trans- formity to the scriptural mandate in the Because the LORD hath heard that I was gression. [Lit., but the woman having context of the church; 4) The basis for hated, he hath therefore given me this been deceived, a transgressor, emph., the headship of the men and submis- son also: and she called his name has become (perf. tense), a permanent sion of the women does not derive from Simeon. (34) And she conceived again, state of being]. ecclesiastical tradition or religious and bare a son; and said, Now this time will my husband be joined unto me, chauvinism, but from the clear teach- 1 Cor. 14:33-35 [In the context of orderly because I have born him three sons: ing of the Word of God. This is His man- worship] (33) For God is not the author of therefore was his name called Levi. (35) confusion, but of peace, as in all church- date for the church, and is based on And she conceived again, and bare a son: es of the saints. (34) Let your women the order of creation, the nature of cre- and she said, Now will I praise the LORD: keep silence in the churches: for it is not ation, and the circumstances of the fall. therefore she called his name Judah; and permitted unto them to speak [or to left bearing. speak out]; but they are commanded to In most modern churches, the be under obedience, as also saith the women are in unscriptural positions of After Boaz married Ruth, the law. [The wording is emphatic prohibiting leadership and teaching because they Scripture says, women from speaking out in the assem- have tried to fill a vacuum left by the bly. They are to remain silent, and not irresponsibility of the men. Ruth 4:13 ...the LORD gave her concep- even ask questions. The wife is still under tion, and she bare a son. her husband’s authority and headship, #7 When did it become acceptable to even in the context of the assembly.] God to murder the unborn? In the second place, the Scriptures (35) And if they will learn any thing, let teach that God has an intimate knowl- them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the When an embryo or fetus dies of its edge of every embryo and of every church. own accord within the womb, it is called fetus. a miscarriage and is usually followed by The Apostle Paul did not exempt busi- a spontaneous natural abortion. A vol- Psalm 139:13 For thou hast possessed ness meetings in 1 Cor. 14 from the untary abortion is the removal of an my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb [or, you knitted me silence of the women. The principle embryo or fetus from the uterus in together in my mother's womb]. seems to apply to all official or formal order to end a pregnancy. So-called gatherings. The issue is not that the therapeutic abortion is the removal of a human fetus from the uterus prema- Jeremiah 1:5 Before I formed thee in the women are to be put down or shut up, belly I knew thee; and before thou turely, thereby destroying the life of that but rather that the man's headship camest forth out of the womb I sanctified extends throughout the church relation- fetus. Reasons given for a therapeutic thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto ship and the woman must submit and abortion include, 1) Because of the the nations. remain silent. mother's physical or mental health, or 2) To prevent the birth of a deformed Isaiah 44:1-2a (1) Yet now hear, O Jacob Titus 2:3-5 (3) The aged women likewise, child, or 3) To prevent the birth of a my servant; and Israel, whom I have cho- that they be in behaviour as becometh child conceived as a result of rape or sen: (2) Thus saith the LORD that made holiness, not false accusers, not given to incest. Concerning the topic of abor- thee, and formed thee from the womb,... much wine, teachers of good things; (4) tion, I want to note three things: That they may teach the young women Galatians 1:15 But when it pleased God, [i.e. teach by example] to be sober, to love In the first place, the Scriptures view who separated me [Paul] from my moth- their husbands, to love their children, (5) conception as a gift from God. When er's womb, and called me by his grace, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, Eve conceived and bare Cain, she con- good, obedient to their own husbands, sidered that conception to be of God. All of these passages teach us of that the word of God be not blasphemed. the sovereign power and purposes of Genesis 4:1 And Adam knew Eve his wife; God in conception and embryological What conclusions can we make from and she conceived, and bare Cain, and development. these verses? 1) The men are to take said, I have gotten a man from the LORD. the leadership in the church and its In the third place, only God can pro- functions; 2) The women are not to be All four sons that Leah bore were duce human life, and only He must prominent or ostentatious in actions or looked upon as gifts of God. determine how and when that life clothing but conduct themselves in a should terminate. When man inter- subordinate sense and with good Genesis 29:31-35 (31) And when the venes by destroying the embryo or works; 3) Because of the woman’s ten- LORD saw that Leah was hated, he fetus, he interferes with the only dency to be led astray, as she was in opened her womb: but Rachel was bar- Creator of all life. the Fall, she is not to teach or lead in ren. (32) And Leah conceived, and bare the sphere of the church’s ministry. For a son, and she called his name Reuben: Exodus 20:13 Thou shalt not [absolutely a church to have women teachers or to for she said, Surely the LORD hath looked not] kill. [or murder or slay with premedi- have the women teach only the women upon my affliction; now therefore my hus- tation] and not the men, or teach only the chil- band will love me. (33) And she con- ceived again, and bare a son; and said, dren and not the men is still non con-

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Exodus 21:22-25 (22) If men strive, and from Lamech, six generations from Exodus 21:10 If he take him another hurt a woman with child, so that her fruit Adam, to about the time of the wife; her food, her raiment, and her duty depart from her, and yet no mischief fol- Babylonian exile. From the time of the of marriage, shall he not diminish. low: he shall be surely punished, accord- exile, history is silent regarding the ing as the woman's husband will lay upon presence of polygamy among the Jews. Deut. 17:14, 16-17 (14) When thou art him; and he shall pay as the judges deter- come unto the land which the LORD thy By the time of the New Testament, mine. (23) And if any mischief follow, then God giveth thee, and shalt possess it, thou shalt give life for life, polygamy appears to have been the and shalt dwell therein, and shalt say, I exception and monogamy the norm will set a king over me, like as all the The Scriptures clearly teach that even among the Gentiles and Romans. nations that are about me; (16) But he the unlawful killing of one human being Admittedly, the picture blurs pretty shall not multiply horses to himself, nor by another (called murder) is wrong. quickly after Adam and Eve's first sin cause the people to return to Egypt, to The Scriptures teach by example that and expulsion from the Garden. By the end that he should multiply horses: forasmuch as the LORD hath said unto unborn children are considered human Genesis 4, you have Cain's son Lamech taking two wives. The patriarchs you, Ye shall henceforth return no more beings. If both of these statements are that way. (17) Neither shall he multiply true, then the Scriptures implicitly Abraham and Jacob themselves had multiple wives and concubines. Moses wives to himself, that his heart turn not teach that abortion is murder. away: neither shall he greatly multiply to had more than one wife, as did Gideon, himself silver and gold. Elkanah and King David. Solomon had #8 When did monogamy cease to be 700 wives and 300 concubines. How 1 Tim. 3:2 A bishop then must be blame- what God intended? does one respond to this situation? less, the husband of one wife,...

I want to note three things. In the first According to Gregory Alan Thornbury, In the third place, God never author- place, monogamy was clearly God's ized polygamy. 2 Sam. 12 does not intent from the beginning. “The answer begins by seeing that God teach that God authorized polgamy. always points His creation back to the primacy and perfection of the original Genesis 2:18, 22, 24-25 (18) And the 2 Samuel 12:7-8 (7) And Nathan said to design. Next, you have to read every LORD God said, It is not good that the David, Thou art the man. Thus saith the book to the end, especially if it is the bib- man should be alone; I will make him an LORD God of Israel, I anointed thee king lical context. And if you read the stories help meet for him [one who helps]. (22) over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the about the [people] referenced above, And the rib, which the LORD God had hand of Saul; (8) And I gave thee thy you'll quickly find that polygamy was an taken from man, made he a woman, and master's house, and thy master's wives unmitigated sociological disaster that brought her unto the man. (24) Therefore into thy bosom, and gave thee the house created heartbreak and sowed familial shall a man leave his father and his moth- of Israel and of Judah; and if that had discord. By the time of the writing of er, and shall cleave unto his wife: and been too little, I would moreover have Malachi, God's command to a thorough- they shall be one flesh. (25) And they given unto thee such and such things. were both naked, the man and his wife, ly chastised nation was clear: covenan- tal monogamy was to be the norm.”2 and were not ashamed. It is understood by some that the In the second place, not every thing expression, "And I gave thee thy mas- Marriage is God’s doing, not only ter’s…wives into thy bosom…" means because He created the woman with recorded in the Bible is approved by God. Just because the Bible mentions a that God was pleased with one man this design in mind, and brought her to and multiple women. If there weren't her husband, but also because God trait or act of an individual does not necessarily mean that the Bible other statements or teachings in the spoke the design of marriage into exis- Bible, one might conclude that God tence. In the context of a question endorsed such. The mentioning of Noah becoming drunk and disgracing condoned the practice of multiple about divorce, Jesus confirmed this wives. Isn’t it also possible that the design, himself is biblical but certainly not con- doned. I would suggest to you that statement in 2 Samuel means, in gen- although God was not pleased with eral, that God had given to David all Matthew 19:4-6 (4) And he answered that appertained to Saul and that the and said unto them, Have ye not read, polygamy, He did two things: 1) God tol- reference to Saul’s women was the ulti- that he which made them at the begin- erated polygamy during the maturation ning made them male and female, (5) of His people, and 2) He sought to reg- mate proof? The question still comes And said, For this cause shall a man ulate the evil practice even if He did not up however as to why God just didn’t leave father and mother, and shall cleave outright forbid it. God put in place forbid ploygamy all together. Is it possi- to his wife: and they twain shall be one monogamous marriage, but man within ble that God used mans’ sin of flesh? (6) Wherefore they are no more a short time became dissatisfied with polygamy in the unfolding of His eternal twain, but one flesh. What therefore God one woman (Gen. 4: 19). Thus, God redemptive purpose? hath joined together, let not man put asunder. sought to regulate the polygamous practice. Like Nebuchadnezzar, can we say that, “...all the inhabitants of the earth We can historically establish the exis- are reputed as nothing: and he [God] tence of polygamy among the Hebrews doeth according to his will in the army

4 PIRSpective • The Theological Newsletter of the Pacific Institute for Religious Studies • January 2013 of heaven, and among the inhabitants God forbid. (18) Flee fornication. Every men, who hold the truth in unrighteous- of the earth: and none can stay his sin that a man doeth is without the body; ness; (19) Because that which may be hand, or say unto him, What doest but he that committeth fornication sin- known of God is manifest in them; for thou?” (Dan. 4:35). Can we leave it to neth against his own body. (19) What? God hath shewed it unto them. (20) For God’s wisdom and purpose that He did- know ye not that your body is the temple the invisible things of him from the cre- of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ation of the world are clearly seen, being n’t forbid polygamy outright? ye have of God, and ye are not your own? understood by the things that are made, (20) For ye are bought with a price: there- even his eternal power and Godhead; so #9 When did a “Christian homosexual” fore glorify God in your body, and in your that they are without excuse: (21) stop being an oxymoron? spirit, which are God's. Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were An oxymoron is a figure of speech 1 Thess. 4:3-5, 7 (3) For this is the will of thankful; but became vain in their imagi- producing an incongruous, or seeming- God, even your sanctification, that ye nations, and their foolish heart was dark- ly self contradictory effect, as in “cruel should abstain from fornication [general ened. (22) Professing themselves to be kindness” or “to make haste slowly” or sexual immorality]: (4) That every one of wise, they became fools, (23) And a “Christian homosexual.” Man was you should know how to possess his ves- changed the glory of the uncorruptible created in the image and likeness of sel [or control his own body] in sanctifica- God into an image made like to corrupt- God, and therefore possesses an tion [or holiness] and honour; (5) Not in ible man, and to birds, and fourfooted inescapable, responsible moral quality the lust of concupiscence [or passion of beasts, and creeping things. (24) Wherefore God also gave them up to and character. Man was also created lust], even as the Gentiles which know not God: (7) For God hath not called us uncleanness [He left them to them- as a sexual being, therefore, human unto uncleanness [impurity], but [or in selves] through the lusts of their own sexuality in and of itself is not inherent- great contrast to impurity, He has called hearts, to dishonour their own bodies ly or morally wrong. God ordained mar- us] unto holiness. between themselves: (25) Who changed riage (the union between one man and the truth of God into a lie, and wor- one woman) as the proper, exclusive, In the second place, God’s moral shipped and served the creature more pure, responsible and fulfilling context standard concerning homosexuality than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. for the sexual relationship. Concerning was established in the Old Testament. Amen. (26) For this cause God gave the oxymoron of a “Christian homosex- Homosexuality was prohibited. them up unto vile affections [dishonor- ual,” I want to note three things. able passions]: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is Leviticus 18:22-23, 30 [the whole chap- against nature: [Note that Paul uses a In the first place, every human being ter deals with prohibitions concerning Grk word indicating “female” and not sexual relationships] (22) Thou shalt not is to glorify God in body and in spirit. “women”] (27) And likewise also the men lie with mankind, as with womankind: [or males], leaving the natural use of the [Why?] it is abomination [i.e., it is a dis- 1 Cor. 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or woman, burned in their lust one toward gusting thing]. (23) Neither shalt thou lie drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the another; men with men [males with with any beast to defile thyself therewith: glory of God. males] working that which is unseemly, neither shall any woman stand before a and receiving in themselves that recom- beast to lie down thereto: [Why?] it is con- In the realm of sexual relatonships, pence of their error which was meet. all is to be done to the glory of God. fusion [it is a violation of nature or divine order, a perversion] (30) Therefore shall 1 Timothy 1:9-11 (9) Knowing this, that ye keep mine ordinance, that ye commit 1 Cor. 6:9-11, 13, 15, 18-20 (9) Know ye the law is not made for a righteous man, not any one of these abominable cus- not that the unrighteous shall not inherit but for the lawless and disobedient, for toms, which were committed before you, the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and that ye defile not yourselves therein: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor and profane, for murderers of fathers and I am the LORD your God. adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers murderers of mothers, for manslayers, of themselves with mankind, [one who (10) For whoremongers, for them that lies with a male as with a female, a How serious were these prohibitions? defile themselves with mankind, [one sodomite, a homosexual] (10) Nor who lies with a male as with a female, a thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor Leviticus 20:13 If a man also lie with sodomite, a homosexual] for mensteal- revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both ers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if kingdom of God. (11) And such were of them have committed an abomination: there be any other thing that is contrary some of you: but ye are washed, but ye they shall surely be put to death; their to sound doctrine; (11) According to the are sanctified, but ye are justified in the blood shall be upon them. glorious gospel of the blessed God, which name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit was committed to my trust. of our God. (13) Meats for the belly, and In the third place, the New Testament the belly for meats: but God shall destroy teaches that “males with males” and God does not teach us in His Word both it and them. Now the body is not for “females with females” is against that morality is to be judged by consen- fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord nature and is unseemly. sus. Just because the majority stipu- for the body. (15) Know ye not that your lates that something is ok (like abortion bodies are the members of Christ? shall I Romans 1:18-27 (18) For the wrath of or homosexuality), doesn’t make it ok. then take the members of Christ, and God is revealed from heaven against all make them the members of an harlot? It is the responsibility of every true ungodliness and unrighteousness of Christian within the context, nurture

5 PIRSpective • The Theological Newsletter of the Pacific Institute for Religious Studies • January 2013 and discipline of the local New Rom. 1:32 tells us through natural works of the law are written in their Testament church, to fight against soci- revelation all men know the judgment heart.” Every person’s conscience eties’ need to suppress the truth in of God. It is not a vague knowledge, but bears witness to the moral character of unrighteousness. That which God told a fully sufficient knowledge. In the God. Solomon in 2Chron. 7:14 is still true for clause, “Who knowing the judgment of Romans 2:14-15 For when the Gentiles, this country today: “If my people, which God,” the apostle Paul uses an intensi- which have not the law, do by nature the are called by my name, shall humble fied form of the participle “knowing” things contained in the law, these, having themselves, and pray, and seek my (evpigno,ntej) which means to fully know2. not the law, are a law unto themselves: face, and turn from their wicked ways; The phrase, “The judgment of God” (15) Which shew the work of the law writ- ten in their hearts, their conscience also then will I hear from heaven, and will refers to the judicial verdict of God and bearing witness, and their thoughts the forgive their sin, and will heal their denotes what God has ordained as just. mean while accusing or else excusing land.” It is defined by the clause, “that they one another; which commit such things are worthy of May we as a nation turn from accept- death.” In the above text, Paul observes that ing a perverted “New Normal,” and the Gentiles, who did not have the writ- beseech God to heal our land! Every man has a sense of deity by ten law, “by nature” did the things con- which he comprehends the punitive tained in the law. “By nature” is a W judgment of God and the consequence description of the natural constitution of his sin. Unbelievers know they are 1 of man. The law is engraved on man’s This article was developed from sermon condemned before the bar of God’s jus- notes in which I did not necessarily foot- natural constitution. Although unregen- note some of my sources. I did borrow from tice and deserve the sentence of erate man is a fallen creature and total- Dr. Downing and his writings in various death. Paul states that the unregener- ly depraved, he is still a morally respon- areas, but especially in statement #6. ate understand “they which commit sible creature because the law of God 2 Gregory Alan Thornbury, God’s Plan for such things are worthy of death.” Man is embedded in his heart. Natural man Marriage: Dealing with Old Testament understands he is guilty before God Polygamy, is not devoid of God’s moral law. This is www.crosswalk.com/family/marriage/ and deserves to be punished with the very basis of morality in a fallen and god-s-plans-for-marriage-dealing-with-old- death. The context of vs.32 requires us sinful world. testament-polygamy.html to view death in its fullest sense, i.e., eternal death. “Such things” refers to The expression “a law unto them- the dark catalog of sins listed in vs. 29- selves” is somewhat misleading in 31: today’s vernacular. Today “a law unto Did God Hide Himself? themselves” denotes autonomy and Romans 1:21-32, Part 2 Romans 1:29-31 Being filled with all not being subject to any authority. By Dr. Paul S. Nelson unrighteousness, fornication, wicked- However, in Rom. 2:14, it means exact- ness, covetousness, maliciousness; full ly the opposite. Man, by virtue of what This article is a continuation of an of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, (30) Backbiters, haters of is implanted in his nature, is continual- answer given to Richard Dawkins’ ly confronted with the law of God. Man indictment against God, “Why did God God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inven- tors of evil things, disobedient to parents, himself is the revealer of the moral hide himself?”1 Part 1 presented four (31) Without understanding, covenant character of God to himself. The fact biblical arguments derived from Rom. breakers, without natural affection, that man “does the things contained in 1:18-20: the wrath of God is revealed implacable, unmerciful: the law” and is “a law unto himself,” (v. 18), the internal revelation of God demonstrates that the work of the law (v.19), the external revelation of God Knowledge of the judgment of God is is written in his heart. (v.20), and the Creator-creature rela- ineradicably embedded in the human tionship (v.20). We continue with four conscience.3 The most depraved and When Paul says, “the work of the law more arguments developed from Rom. degenerate of men are not destitute of is written in their hearts,” he is alluding 1:21-32 and 2:14-17. understanding the righteous judg- to the Ten Commandments which ments of God. Man’s sins are not com- where written in stone. The Ten Revelation of the Justice of God mitted in ignorance. We are clearly Commandments are the codification of taught here that man is morally respon- the moral law of God, and are the tran- Natural revelation clearly discloses sible for his sin, because he has a suf- script of God’s moral character. No per- the ethical nature of God, i.e., his moral ficient comprehension of the punitive son can escape this witness of God’s character and consistency. Rom. 1:18, justice of God. moral character; it is indelibly inscribed 32 and 2:14-15 describe man as know- upon his heart. Every man’s con- ing the wrath of God against all ungod- Revelation of the Moral Law of God science bears witness to the moral law liness and unrighteousness, the judg- of God. ment of God against sin, and God’s Natural revelation also reveals God’s moral law respectively. We have already moral law to every person. The apostle Further we note that the law operates dealt with God’s wrath in Part 1. Paul affirms in Rom. 2:14-15, “the in the heart of man through the con-

6 PIRSpective • The Theological Newsletter of the Pacific Institute for Religious Studies • January 2013 science. Conscience is a function of the tude or thankfulness to God. Paul says, the glory of the uncorruptible God into heart that discriminates between right “They glorified him not as God, neither an image made like to corruptible man, and wrong. And God’s law is the stan- were thankful.” Rather, they rebellious- and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, dard by which man discerns what is ly engaged in futile reasoning to do and creeping things. Unregenerate right and wrong. Human morality is not away with God in their thoughts. They man invents false religion in the form of something that evolved, or based upon “became vain in their imaginations.” idolatry because of his inherent reli- social consensus; it is indelibly “Vain in their imaginations” denotes gious nature. inscribed upon the heart. The con- futile speculation and worthless rea- science is the evidence of man’s inde- soning. The unbeliever obstinately 4. In Rom. 1:25, Paul observes how structible moral nature and proof of the exalts his reasoning against the knowl- unregenerate man changes the truth of fact that God bears witness to himself edge of God (2 Cor. 10:5). His very intel- God for a lie. The Grk word for in our hearts.4 Man has an inborn lect is constantly devising schemes by “changed” (metalla,ssw) actually means moral nature. If the work of the law which he thinks he may overthrow God. to exchange, i.e., to exchange one thing were not written in the heart, then no He lives in a stupor of self-deception. for another. The unbeliever exchanges conscience would exist, and man would the natural revelation of God for a lie. be devoid of morality. 3. In Rom. 1:23, we find fallen man The result is to worship creation rather changing the glory of God revealed in than the Creator. Verse 25 is a refer- Suppression Presupposes Possession creation into idols. Paul writes, “And ence to the pantheistic tendencies of changed the glory of the uncorruptible man to ascribe the attributes of God to Man’s deliberate suppression of the God into an image made like to corrupt- nature. The prime example today is sec- knowledge of God presupposes pos- ible man, and to birds, and fourfooted ular science and the philosophy of evo- session of knowledge (1:18, 23-24, beasts, and creeping things.” God orig- lution. Secular science ascribes divine 28). You cannot suppress knowledge inally created man to worship Him. He attributes to nature such as the eternal- without first possessing it. The unbe- created man as a religious being. But ity of matter and the immutability of liever’s reaction to the clear revelation fallen man has perverted his religious natural law. It is a religious philosophy of God is to constantly suppress it. This nature into the worship of idols. that changes the truth of God into a lie.6 again proves that natural man has a Although man has a general knowledge It is nothing more than a form of pan- sufficient comprehension of God. of the true God, he is wholly bent on theism. Unregenerate man rebels against the perverting it. knowledge of God because it brings 5. The natural revelation of God is him face-to-face with his Creator and When Paul addressed the Areopagus obnoxious to the unbeliever. In Rom. condemns him. He knows he is guilty on Mars Hill, he began by stating, “I 1:28 Paul states, “they did not like to before God and hates it. He loves dark- perceive that in all things ye are too retain God in their knowledge.” Again, ness and hates the light, because his superstitious” (Acts 17:22). The Grk the Grk term evpi,gnwsij is used for deeds are evil (John 3:19-20). Rom term for “superstitious” (deisidaimon- knowledge, which means full and suffi- 1:18-32 explicitly teaches that natural este,rouj) means to be extremely reli- cient knowledge. The Grk term for man is hostile to the knowledge of God. gious (literally, fearers of supernatural “retain” (e;cw) means “to have” or “to spirits). He was alluding to the very con- hold.” Unregenerate man cannot han- 1. The unbeliever is so opposed to stitution of man; man by nature is reli- dle the truth. It is appalling to recognize the truth that he actively seeks to sup- gious. Man has an innate sense of deity the truth already revealed in natural press it. It is the epitome of his rebel- (sensus divinitatus). Athens was a city revelation. They must reject it. lion against God. Rom. 1:18 asserts steeped in idolatry. It was said that that all unbelievers “hold the truth in there were more idols than people. 6. Ultimately man’s revolt against the unrighteousness.” The Greek verb for Athens was a plethora of polytheistic knowledge of God is his pursuit of “hold” is kateco,ntwn and literally means gods and pantheistic conceptions of immorality. Immorality is an expression to “hold down.” It is a deliberate act of God. The presence of such a multitude of rebellion and hatred against the suppressing and repressing the truth of of idols, temples and altars in Athens clear revelation of God. In suppressing God. And it is done “in unrighteous- proved Paul’s point – all men are reli- the truth, natural man actively pursues ness.” The present tense of the verb gious. Paul says, “in all things” or “in immorality. When man rejects God, God “hold” denotes a continual act. The every respect” you are very religious. gives them over to immorality (vs.28). unregenerate are continually suppress- The religious propensity of man’s cor- In Rom. 1:28-31, Paul gives us a dark ing the truth in their wickedness. Truth rupt nature had lead them to seek after catalog of sins that describe the result is out in the open, but men, so to false gods, and grossly pervert the of man’s deliberate effort to suppress speak, put it in a box and sit on the lid, knowledge of God they possessed by the knowledge of God. and “hold it down in unrighteousness.” natural revelation. Paul points out the absurdity of worshiping “the unknown Romans 1:28-31 And even as they did 2. In Rom. 1:21, we find unregener- God.” They were ignorantly worshiping not like to retain God in their knowledge, ate man refusing to acknowledge God. false gods. It was a deliberate suppres- God gave them over to a reprobate mind, He refuses to show any kind of grati- sion of the truth of God. They changed to do those things which are not conven-

7 PIRSpective • The Theological Newsletter of the Pacific Institute for Religious Studies • January 2013

ient; (29) Being filled with all unrighteous- The hypothetical questions directed In 1780 Robert joined HMS Monarch ness, fornication, wickedness, covetous- at God from atheists Bertrand Russell of which his maternal uncle, Adam ness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, (Why didn’t you give us more evi- Duncan, was in command. In the fol- debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, dence?) and Richard Dawkins (Why did lowing year he was transferred to HMS (30) Backbiters, haters of God, despite- you take such pains to hide yourself?) Foudroyant. He was on HMS ful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil attempt to make God culpable for not Foudroyant under John Jervis during things, disobedient to parents, (31) Without understanding, covenantbreak- revealing himself. Nothing could be far- the night engagement in April 1782 ers, without natural affection, implaca- ther from the truth. It is a deliberate with the French ship Pegase and great- ble, unmerciful. effort to suppress the clear revelation ly distinguished himself. Haldane was of God – to “hold down” the truth in afterwards present at the relief of In summary, the reaction of natural unrighteousness. Every person pos- Gibraltar in September 1782. Some man to the certain knowledge of God sesses a sufficient knowledge of God. months later after the peace treaty of revealed in creation is rebellion. Sinful This reality is inescapable, and thus 1783 he left the Royal Navy. man actively, constantly and deliber- man is inexcusable. ately suppresses the truth of God. He In 1797 Haldane sold his castle, left seeks to re-define and interpret reality W the Church of Scotland and travelled around Scotland preaching. In apart from God. He is buried in self- 1 Paul S. Nelson, PIRSpective, Vol. 5,Issue 3, deception. But try as he may, it is pp. 1-2. December of that year he joined his impossible for man to escape the 2 John Murray, Epistle to the Romans, brother and some others in the forma- knowledge of God. The sensus divinita- (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans Publishing tion of the "Society for the Propagation Co., Reprinted 1977), pp. 50-53. of the Gospel at Home," in building tus is indelibly inscribed upon his heart. 3 R.C.H. Lenski, Romans (Hendrickson chapels or "tabernacles" for congrega- Publishers, 1998), p. 124. The Reality of Man’s 4 John Murray, Epistle to the Romans, tions, in supporting missionaries, and Knowledge of God Asserted (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans Publishing in maintaining institutions for the edu- Co., Reprinted 1977), p. 75. cation of young men to carry on the Rom. 1:21 is a definitive statement 5 A.T. Roberson, Word Pictures, Rom. 1:18. work of evangelization. He is said to 6 of man’s certain knowledge of God Science is legitimate only if it assumes the have spent more than £70,000 in the absolute authority of Scripture for the comprehended through the natural rev- interpretation of all created facts. course of the following twelve years elation described in vs. 19-20. The 7 This does not refer to the salvific knowl- (1798-1810). He also initiated a plan apostle Paul asserts “they knew God” edge of God. The gospel of Jesus Christ is for evangelizing Africa by bringing over (gno,ntej). Indeed, all people have a gen- revealed to man only through special reve- native children to be trained as eral knowledge of God.7 All people not lation. Christian missionaries. only know God exists, but know his divine attributes and character (1:20). Images from Church History In 1816 Robert Haldane visited the All people know God as their Creator continent, first at and after- (1:20). All people know the moral char- wards in . He lectured and acter of God: his law (1:32), his justice interviewed large numbers of theologi- (1:32), his wrath (1:18), their condem- cal students with remarkable effect; nation (1:32; 2:15) and a judgment day among them were César Malan, to come (2:16). Hence, all people pos- Frédéric Monod and Jean-Henri Merle sess sufficient knowledge of God to d'Aubigné. This circle of men spread render them guilty without excuse. the revival of evangelical Protestant Whether they admit it or not doesn’t Christianity across the continent of change a thing. Europe, impacting France, Germany and the Netherlands. Through conver- Conclusion sion and missionary impetus the effects of this revival were felt as far off God has sufficiently revealed himself as Italy and Hungary. to man. All people know God. If they didn’t, then they would have a valid Returning to Scotland in 1819, excuse. But Rom. 1:20 declares all Robert Haldane Haldane lived partly on his estate of men are “without an excuse.” The Grk 1764-1842 Auchengray and partly in , word for “excuse” is avnapologh,touj, and like his brother took an active part, Robert Haldane was born in London, which means without a defense. Before chiefly through the press, in many of the son of and his wife the tribunal of God, fallen man can the religious controversies of the time. Katherine Duncan. His younger brother never use the excuse that God did not James Alexander Haldane was also a reveal himself. God will hold all men clergyman. Robert and James attended accountable. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ classes at Grammar School. Robert_Haldane

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