What Unbelieving Pagans Know about God and Why They Are Responsible for It

I am continually amazed at how much dense theology Paul is able to pack into a few lines of a letter. Consider, for example, just four verses: Romans 1:18-21.

 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 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. 21 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.

Paul has just finished exulting in the “good news” of the gospel (Rom. 1:15-17), but he now begins to paint a contrasting backdrop of the “bad news” for those who rebel against their holy creator. Whereas “the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith” to all who believe (vv. 16-17), “the wrath of God is revealed from heaven” against all who suppress God’s truth (v. 18). Paul piles up the terms in reference to the godless Gentiles: on the one hand, “ungodliness and unrighteousness” describes what they do, and on the other hand “by their unrighteousness” is the way in which they go about their work of suppressing truth. The reality of the redundancy is repulsive: by their unrighteousness they perform unrighteousness.  Continue at Justin Taylor

We’re Pagans I tell you!

Jesus said, “Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father.” Matthew 10:29.

Whenever a sparrow falls to the ground, God the Father was involved in some way. That’s a powerful statement, if ever I heard one. Why? Because the falling of a sparrow is an everyday occurrence. Each day, sparrows are born; and each day, sparrows die. Perhaps when a sparrow falls, someone might actually notice it; but then again, perhaps not. Perhaps the fall is caught on camera, or then again, perhaps not. Perhaps the sparrow falls amongst forest trees in the middle of the night with no camera or person around to record the incident. But the point Jesus makes here is that whatever the circumstance of a sparrow’s fall – any sparrow’s fall – it could not have done so unless God the Father had in some sense determined that it would. 

In making this statement, Jesus was pointing to a great deal more than the plight of a sparrow. We can clearly understand that major events like the fall and the rise of nations are under God’s providential rule and authority. But Jesus here made it quite clear that even when it comes to seemingly insignificant or trivial events (like a sparrow falling); they only occur because of the Father’s will. Continue Reading>>>

Transforming Culture: A Pagan Ideal

Of late, there has been considerable discussion concerning transforming culture, world and life views, and the like by the neo-Calvinists/New Calvinists but what does that really mean when it comes down to it? What does one mean when they discuss transformation of society?
In the not so distant past, Judeo-Christian values (whatever they may be) held much sway in the West, especially in America. The Victorian ideals were decidedly a pan-Protestant view of culture and society holding to a general Protestant ethic. When this ethic was attacked or wavered from, the pastors and politicians raised the alarm. Cults and heretical bodies that try to spring up are allowed, but when the Mormons try to institute polygamy, the people are outraged and call for justice to be imposed (c.f. Paul Johnson’ A History of Christianity). While there is a general ethos of political civility when this ethic is adhered to, one cannot say the same when it comes to which actual doctrinal position will be followed by the general people. The ethic becomes the religion and the sincerity behind it (no matter the doctrine) becomes the litmus test, not only in civil courts but in ecclesiastical one’s as well. Continue Reading>>>

The Scandal of Pagans Leading Worship

Collin Hansen has a fascinating series of interviews on the Gospel Coalition today asking a variety of pastors whether they allow those who make no Christian profession, who regard themselves as non-Christians, non-believers, those we used to call “heathen” or “pagans” to lead worship through leading or playing musical instruments. The responses vary from yes (Scotty Smith, a PCA pastor), to “No” (Mike Cosper, and Jonathan Leeman), and “maybe” (Zach Nielsen). This discussion was stimulated by a post by Bob Kauflin. Collin draws attention to the arguments made by Tim Keller (a PCA pastor) in favor of including self-identified non-Christians “in our services” in musical ensembles on the grounds that it fits with Redeemer’s version of the “Reformed world and life view.” Continue Reading>>>