2 Corinthians 11:16-13:14; Romans 1:1-32

The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. (Romans 1:18-20)

In writing to the Christians at Rome, Paul the Apostle uses an argument from "nature" or from "creation itself" to proclaim God's existence. "Look at the created order of things," he writes, in effect, "and you will see God's eternal power and divine nature." God's self-revelation through scripture plays no part in this argument. If Paul had made his proclamation from the foundation of scripture, then those who have no knowledge of scripture would have an excuse for their wicked and godless ways. Paul proclaims the truth from scripture elsewhere, but not here. In this way he logically erases every excuse for wicked and godless behavior.

On the one hand I am not so sure that everyone will agree that God's invisible qualities have been seen clearly from the beginning of creation. On the other hand I am very sure that I have seen those qualities--God's eternal power and divine nature--in almost every one of my experiences in the natural world. The technicolor beauty of a sunrise, the majesty of the ocean's breakers on a rocky seashore, the sound and fury of an August thunderstorm--all these and more bear witness in my soul that God was, is, and will be. How can I deny this truth written in my heart?