Romans 1:19-20

These verses begin a discussion of "natural revelation." Romans 1:19 states the fact of natural revelation, and Romans 1:20 explains the process. [Note: Witmer, p. 442.] Natural revelation describes what everyone knows about God because of what God has revealed concerning Himself in nature. [Note: See Robert L. Thomas, Evangelical Hermeneutics, ch. 5: "General Revelation and Biblical Hermeneutics," pp. 113-40.] What He has revealed about Himself in Scripture is "special revelation." The creation bears testimony to its Maker, and every human being "hears" this witness (cf. Psalms 19). [Note: See Bruce A. Baker, "Romans 1:18-21 and Presuppositional Apologetics," Bibliotheca Sacra 155:619 (July-September 1998):280-98.]

"Napoleon, on a warship in the Mediterranean on a star-lit night, passed a group of his officers who were mocking at the idea of a God. He stopped, and sweeping his hand toward the stars, said, ’Gentlemen, you must get rid of those first!’" [Note: Newell, p. 29.]

Four things characterize this revelation. First, it is a clear testimony; everyone is aware of it ("it is evident [plain]"). Second, everyone can understand it. We can draw conclusions about the Creator from His creation. "His invisible attributes . . . have been clearly seen" is an oxymoron. Third, this revelation has gone out since the creation of the world in every generation. Fourth, it is a limited revelation in that it does not reveal everything about God (e.g., His love and grace) but only some things (i.e., His power and divine nature).

"This is the only New Testament instance of theiotes, ’divinity’, ’divine nature’ (NIV). If God’s divinity is shown in creation, his full deity or divine essence (theotes) is embodied in Christ (Colossians 2:9)." [Note: Bruce, p. 80.]

Natural revelation makes man responsible to respond to his Creator in worship and submission. [Note: See Ronald E. Mann, "False and True Worship in Romans 1:18-25," Bibliotheca Sacra 157:625 (January-March 2000):26-34.] However it does not give sufficient information for him to experience salvation. That is why everyone needs to hear the gospel.

"Utter uncompromising, abandonment of hope in man is the first preliminary to understanding or preaching the gospel." [Note: Newell, p. 27.]

Paul did not explain exactly how God reveals Himself in nature, and there have been three popular explanations. One is that He left behind clues or "tracks" in creation from which everyone can reason that there is a Creator. Another explanation is that God personally reveals His presence to everyone through the medium of creation. Still another view is that everyone has a vague awareness of God because we recognize that we are finite creatures living in a contingent world. None of these views is demonstrably certain, and all of them have problems. More than one may be true. [Note: For a discussion of them with arguments for the third one, see Richard Alan Young, "The Knowledge of God in Romans 1:18-23: Exegetical and Theological Reflections," Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 43:4 (December 2000):695-707.]