Romans 1:19-20 - Explaining the Phenomena

Romans 1:19-20
19 because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.

Message: Explaining the Phenomena

Time:  This book was probably written between 56 and 57 B.C. Paul was in Greece, probably Corinth when he wrote. It was sent to Gentile believers, but also believers with a strong Jewish element.

What the Lord is Saying:

The statement ‘Explaining the Phenomena’ was taken from the ancient philosopher Plato, who was speaking of the role science has in explaining the various things we see in the natural world. He said “save the phenomena” in the sense of saving their intelligibility. Plato wanted to discover those ideas that would explain the data that comes to us through our five senses.  This is what science does as it looks at cause and effect relationships to try to describe events of the natural world. [Just now I used the word ‘describe’ but as I have engaged with an atheist I believe he would instead use the word ‘define’ as I think he thinks this is what science does for us.]

Conversely, the Word of God declares in Romans 1:19-20 — that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse  — describes that the natural world also helps describe what can be known about God. God’s eternal power and divine nature are clearly seen (though constantly ignored or denied) through what — God and Man — has made.

From Ligonier - "For example, God sends the rain, and rain is caused by the accumulation of water in the clouds. Each explanation is true—God is the primary cause of rain according to His sovereign decree, and the clouds produce rain according to their role as secondary causes within God’s plan."

Promise: When we see an apparent conflict between the Bible and science, either our understanding of the Bible is wrong, our understanding of science is wrong, or our understanding of both is wrong.

Prayer: Lord, help to see and enforce that science and theology can work together and they are both needed.


Note: I follow the readings from the Tabletalk Magazine devotional, though I am a little behind and working through 2017 devotionals. 2017 is a study of key biblical doctrines with March being about the sovereign providence of God and looking at how the Bible reveals His control over all things.