Inexcusable
Although the light of nature, and the works of creation and providence do so far manifest the goodness, wisdom, and power of God, as to leave men inexcusable; yet are they not sufficient to give that knowledge of God and his will which is necessary unto salvation.Three things listed here leave men inexcusable, and display attributes of God:
- Light of Nature
- Works of Creation
- Providence
Light of Nature
What is the light of nature referring to? Simply put, morality. Our sense of right and wrong is evidence of God. In the Philosophy of Religion, there is the subject known as "The Problem of Evil." Many great and armchair philosophers have used the existence of evil to deny the existence of some omni-benevolent deity. The problem is, for them to claim there is evil, they must use "borrowed capital" from the Christian. How do they create a standard by which they judge something as evil? Apart from a Divine Lawmaker, there is no satisfactory answer to that question. Some may argue that culture and society define morality. The problem with that is that now legalizes and justifies the Holocaust in Germany, and slavery and the racial discrimination that took place (and still takes place) in our own country today. The only means to establish a firm and stable grasp of morality is by the existence of the Divine Lawmaker. Thus, any time some judges right from wrong, they testify to the existence of God, leaving them inexcusable.
Light of nature could also refer to human nature and being. Such things as love, desire for justice, mercy and forgiveness, etc... are all characteristics that we have because we were made in the image of God. Scripture states that God displays such emotions. I won't deny that this touches on the issue of God's impassibility, and that is delving into something over my head, but I know many have linked such noble emotional characteristics to our being created in the divine image, and any expression of those sentiments is a testimony to the existence of God, leaving men inexcusable.
I hope to discuss this topic of morality further in later chapters (4, 6-7 esp.)
Works of Creation
When someone looks at all of creation, and tries to discern what it is and where it came from, there is one of two options: divine design or random acts of meaninglessness. Perhaps someone would argue there are other options, but I think all nuanced options ultimately fall into one of these two categories. For example, the atheist who wants to argue that our planet was "seeded" still shows some intent of design by a being higher than ourselves. Perhaps those beings came into existence through random evolutionary acts, and so you now have both categories being used, but every explanation of creation must fall into one of those two.
We see creation as evidence of God. Just like an art critic can determine a piece of artwork as being created by this or that artist because of various distinctions and details, so too, when we look at creation, we see the design of God. Unfortunately during the 20th century, in the realm of art and writing, the rise of the "viewer as interpreter" became common place. What I mean by that is no longer does the creator of the artwork determine the meaning of the piece, but the viewer determines the meaning. This has bled over into all realms of life, from Christians in Bible study to "scientists" and creation. Mankind seeks new ways every generation to denigrate God and his creation, by seeking their own devices, meanings and explanations, instead of listening to the Great Artist explain His purpose and meaning. Despite the meaninglessness touted by the secularists of our present day, none of them live consistently with it, and their very studies will be brought before them on the day of judgment as evidence against them when they attempt to declare before God, "Not enough evidence!" They will be left inexcusable.
Providence
Paul tells the Aeropagites that God placed nations and boundaries specifically for the purpose of declaring the Gospel and glory of God to all nations so that all men might repent. God's hand graciously guides the outcome of all things in this world with a specific purpose and end in mind. As Philip Schaff states,
Salvation
There is no way around it, all people are left without excuse before God if they should seek to deny Him. But this knowledge is not enough, though it leaves men inexcusible, by none of these means can a person know the revelation of Jesus Christ. This is why we must evangelize. We cannot be a part of the "frozen chosen" ignoring our responsibility to preach the Gospel. That is why Paul commends us rhetorically, "But how can the call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe without hearing about Him? And how can they hear without a preacher? And how can the preach unless they are sent?" (Rom 10:14-15). Go preach the Gospel to the world, because everyone is without excuse, yet cannot know the Savior if not informed of that special revelation. Don't let your neighbor's blood be on your hands because you refused to share with him the only means by which his soul could be saved.
We see creation as evidence of God. Just like an art critic can determine a piece of artwork as being created by this or that artist because of various distinctions and details, so too, when we look at creation, we see the design of God. Unfortunately during the 20th century, in the realm of art and writing, the rise of the "viewer as interpreter" became common place. What I mean by that is no longer does the creator of the artwork determine the meaning of the piece, but the viewer determines the meaning. This has bled over into all realms of life, from Christians in Bible study to "scientists" and creation. Mankind seeks new ways every generation to denigrate God and his creation, by seeking their own devices, meanings and explanations, instead of listening to the Great Artist explain His purpose and meaning. Despite the meaninglessness touted by the secularists of our present day, none of them live consistently with it, and their very studies will be brought before them on the day of judgment as evidence against them when they attempt to declare before God, "Not enough evidence!" They will be left inexcusable.
Providence
Paul tells the Aeropagites that God placed nations and boundaries specifically for the purpose of declaring the Gospel and glory of God to all nations so that all men might repent. God's hand graciously guides the outcome of all things in this world with a specific purpose and end in mind. As Philip Schaff states,
The central current and ultimate aim of universal history is the KINGDOM OF GOD established by JESUS CHRIST. This is the grandest and most comprehensive institution in the world, as vast as humanity and as enduring as eternity. All other institutions are made subservient to it, and in its interest the whole world is governed. It is no after-thought of God, no subsequent emendation of the plan of creation, but it is the eternal forethought, the controlling idea, the beginning, the middle, and the end of all his ways and works. The first Adam is a type of the second Adam; creation looks to redemption as the solution of its problems. Secular history, far from controlling sacred history, is controlled by it, must directly or indirectly subserve its ends, and can only be fully understood in central light of Christian truth and the plan of salvation. (History of the Christian Church vol 1)God ultimately and intimately guides all aspects of history from the beginning of creation to its fulfillment in the consummation of the church with Christ at the marriage supper of the Lamb. God is the Alpha and the Omega, declaring the beginning from the end, ordaining all that comes to pass. So whenever a person seeks personal meaning and considers his immediate surroundings, employment, entertainment, etc... it has all been established by the purpose of God and serves as testimony of Him, leaving the person inexcusable on the day of judgment.
Salvation
There is no way around it, all people are left without excuse before God if they should seek to deny Him. But this knowledge is not enough, though it leaves men inexcusible, by none of these means can a person know the revelation of Jesus Christ. This is why we must evangelize. We cannot be a part of the "frozen chosen" ignoring our responsibility to preach the Gospel. That is why Paul commends us rhetorically, "But how can the call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe without hearing about Him? And how can they hear without a preacher? And how can the preach unless they are sent?" (Rom 10:14-15). Go preach the Gospel to the world, because everyone is without excuse, yet cannot know the Savior if not informed of that special revelation. Don't let your neighbor's blood be on your hands because you refused to share with him the only means by which his soul could be saved.
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