Why does the Gospel require preaching and hearing if it is known naturally?

[jmt356]

Romans 1:18-2:16 states that the Gospel is known naturally and all are without excuse (Rom 1:18-2:16). However, Romans 10:9-15 states that salvation requires preaching, hearing and believing the Gospel (Rom 10:9-15). If the Gospel is known naturally, why does it require preaching and hearing?

 

[Hopeful]

Romans 1:18-2:16 states that the Gospel is known naturally and all are without excuse (Rom 1:18-2:16). However, Romans 10:9-15 states that salvation requires preaching, hearing and believing the Gospel (Rom 10:9-15). If the Gospel is known naturally, why does it require preaching and hearing?

Rom 1 speaks of wrath, and Rom 10 speaks of salvation and freedom from the wrath to come on the disobedient.
The trap and then the escape.

 

[Truthfrees]

Romans 1:18-2:16 states that the Gospel is known naturally and all are without excuse (Rom 1:18-2:16). However, Romans 10:9-15 states that salvation requires preaching, hearing and believing the Gospel (Rom 10:9-15). If the Gospel is known naturally, why does it require preaching and hearing?

the first passage speaks of those who know the truth but reject it due to the evil heart they have toward God

the other 2 passages speak of those who hear the truth believe it and take action - they end up receiving the blessings of God

iow 2 different responses and 2 different outcomes

 

[Who Me]

A good illustration here of not reading the context.
Had that been done this thread would not have been posted.



Read the context, don't worry about chapters and verses they are not inspired.

Read far more than seems obvious and make notes, use Bible gateway to read the same passage in several different translations.
Use the internet to get other views on the passage, even buy a hard back or online commentary and read what it says.
Use email and email your pastor or youth leader or elder for there views.

Why these rather than post here?

Simple you'll get a consistent opinion from your church, here there is a wide range of church traditions and theological views.

 

[Edward]

I took the OP's post as a loosely worded question and so I'll answer it loosely.

All will be without excuse, that is true. But hearing the word and preaching it or hearing it preached...these things serve to encourage ones faith. One learns more about the Kingdom of God and then there is increase. In ones faith, belief and knowledge of the finer points.

Remember, Faith and Belief are different things though related.

 

[Link1983]

Many scriptures seems to contradict each other. I have learned from studying many of them. Every single time, after understanding correctly that not a single one does.
So my conclusion is this:
If i don't understand something. I don't question the Bible. I question myself.
And i always have to end up correcting myself for having the wrong understanding of it. And when i do correct myself and find the right meaning, i get enlightened.
Like a big puzzle, the pieces fall into place and fit perfectly with the other pieces.
The more pieces i get in to place the more everything makes perfect sense.
This is called revelations of truth.
And it is liberating and also very satisfying i have to say.
Thank Him always in this.

 

[JLB]

If the Gospel is known naturally, why does it require preaching and hearing?

I don’t find where the Gospel is known naturally in
Romans 1:18-2:16.


These passages are referring to what is known of God by man through observing God’s creation.


For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, Romans 1:20





JLB

 

[Quantrill]

Romans 1:18-2:16 states that the Gospel is known naturally and all are without excuse (Rom 1:18-2:16). However, Romans 10:9-15 states that salvation requires preaching, hearing and believing the Gospel (Rom 10:9-15). If the Gospel is known naturally, why does it require preaching and hearing?

I believe this is a good and legitimate question. Especially since Paul says concerning those who need to hear the Gospel preached to them, that they have heard. (Rom. 10:18) "But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went unto all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world."

Another point to consider here is that preaching the Gospel is not just the basic truth of Chris died, and was buried, and rose again. It entails all revealed truth in the Bible. It certainly involves ones initial salvation, but it involves all the teaching from the Bible that you get as you spiritually grow.

Note in (Rom. 1:8) that Paul is talking to believers. And, they were believers who were strong in their faith. Yet in (Rom. 1:15) he says he can't wait to preach the Gospel to them.

I realize I haven't answered your question, but don't have time at present. And I did want to make these points to consider.

Quantrill

 

[Quantrill]

jmt356

The revelation given to man in (Rom. 1:19-20) is the first and most basic revelation to fallen man. It involves the work of creation by God. It involves the stamp of God upon every man, that he can know of God. (1:19) The creation preaches the Gospel. You have a creation, there must be a Creator. This was, is, sufficient revelation to render man responsible in his decision to want or reject God.

And, it will not just be the fact of creation itself, but God wrote the Gospel in the heavens, in the stars. (Ps. 19:1-6) We know it as the Zodiac today. See (Job 38:32)

When God reveals, His revelation is to be preached. It provides man access to God, and to know something of God. Thus we are told in (Gal. 3:8) that the gospel was preached to Abraham when God said to him, "In thee shall all nations be blessed".

So, as God continues to add to His revelation to man, it is to be made known. That basic revelation becomes quite involved being fleshed out in experience on earth. It involves a distinct nation of God, Israel. It will involve a distinct Person of God, Jesus Christ. It will involve the Gentiles when the nation of Israel turns away from God. This will all be fully presented in Paul's gospel. (Gal. 1:11-12) And should be preached.

So, in every age the Gospel is preached, whether it be in it's most basic form or whether it be in it's complete form that we have today and are still learning of. And in every age, man is accountable to it.

The 'hearing' aspect of the Gospel centers on those who are receiving the Gospel. It doesn't always speak to hear with just the ears. It can be getting understanding through the creation or the written Word of God. When we are told to hear in the Scripture, we are being told to respond correctly to what is being said.

In (Rom. 10) Paul is addressing Israel. They rejected Christ and they reject the present gospel of Christ. In so doing, Israel didn't just reject the gospel of Christ, she rejected all the revelation that had been given up to that time from God. (Rom. 10:16-21). And Paul specifically alludes to (Ps. 19:1-6), the most basic revelation given in the stars. (Rom. 10:18)

So, the basic answer to your question is, no one can know anything about God unless He reveals it. As He reveals it, and adds to it, to whom He reveals it, we are required to make it known.

Quantrill

 

[jaybo]

jmt356

The revelation given to man in (Rom. 1:19-20) is the first and most basic revelation to fallen man. It involves the work of creation by God. It involves the stamp of God upon every man, that he can know of God. (1:19) The creation preaches the Gospel. You have a creation, there must be a Creator. This was, is, sufficient revelation to render man responsible in his decision to want or reject God.

And, it will not just be the fact of creation itself, but God wrote the Gospel in the heavens, in the stars. (Ps. 19:1-6) We know it as the Zodiac today. See (Job 38:32)

When God reveals, His revelation is to be preached. It provides man access to God, and to know something of God. Thus we are told in (Gal. 3:8) that the gospel was preached to Abraham when God said to him, "In thee shall all nations be blessed".

So, as God continues to add to His revelation to man, it is to be made known. That basic revelation becomes quite involved being fleshed out in experience on earth. It involves a distinct nation of God, Israel. It will involve a distinct Person of God, Jesus Christ. It will involve the Gentiles when the nation of Israel turns away from God. This will all be fully presented in Paul's gospel. (Gal. 1:11-12) And should be preached.

So, in every age the Gospel is preached, whether it be in it's most basic form or whether it be in it's complete form that we have today and are still learning of. And in every age, man is accountable to it.

The 'hearing' aspect of the Gospel centers on those who are receiving the Gospel. It doesn't always speak to hear with just the ears. It can be getting understanding through the creation or the written Word of God. When we are told to hear in the Scripture, we are being told to respond correctly to what is being said.

In (Rom. 10) Paul is addressing Israel. They rejected Christ and they reject the present gospel of Christ. In so doing, Israel didn't just reject the gospel of Christ, she rejected all the revelation that had been given up to that time from God. (Rom. 10:16-21). And Paul specifically alludes to (Ps. 19:1-6), the most basic revelation given in the stars. (Rom. 10:18)

So, the basic answer to your question is, no one can know anything about God unless He reveals it. As He reveals it, and adds to it, to whom He reveals it, we are required to make it known.

Quantrill

You can't just pick and choose from a few select verses from different "books" of the Old Testament and New Testament, written thousands of years apart, then string them together to prove doctrine. If you think you are "required to make it known" then for God's sake be accurate, complete, and cohesive.

 

[Edward]

You can't just pick and choose from a few select verses from different "books" of the Old Testament and New Testament, written thousands of years apart, then string them together to prove doctrine. If you think you are "required to make it known" then for God's sake be accurate, complete, and cohesive.

What's wrong with what he said? It made sense to me. All of one's doctrine must agree with all of scripture. And what he said was the great commission that was given to believers. Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel unto every creature.

And in these days, God said He will pour out His Spirit upon all flesh, knowledge will be increased, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. That's taking place right now, all over the earth.

 

[Quantrill]

You can't just pick and choose from a few select verses from different "books" of the Old Testament and New Testament, written thousands of years apart, then string them together to prove doctrine. If you think you are "required to make it known" then for God's sake be accurate, complete, and cohesive.

Interesting that you acknowledge my statements were based upon Scripture.

And more interesting, you provide an opinion with no Scripture.

Get back with me when you have something to offer.

Quantrill

 

[jaybo]

Interesting that you acknowledge my statements were based upon Scripture.

And more interesting, you provide an opinion with no Scripture.

Get back with me when you have something to offer.

Quantrill

I won't reply to a post like this. When you want to have a discussion on the issue and not attack me personally let me know.

 

[Edward]

Come on you Brothers. Don't be contentious.

We're supposed to walk in Love, do good for them who abuse you, bless our enemies and pray for them.

I notice that back in biblical days...those people treated their enemies with more respect than a lot of people treat friends nowadays They had some honor back then. And generally kept their word and stuff, even to the enemy.

And we are all Brothers & Sisters in Christ and are told to strive for unity. One God, one faith, one Spirit, one body...
So everyone doesn't agree all the time. But that's no reason to be snarky with each other.

Ok, there's my good deed for the day. Well, 2nd actually.

 

[LovethroughDove]

People naturally are without an excuse to say "they didn't know he exists"......God

As for the gospel "the good news of Jesus".....that needs to be preached to the whole world and then the end will come

See, God is giving the world a chance to see the light. John 8:12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

Also, those who love the light......will come to Jesus after they hear about him. See, to have a heaven on earth it would take a love like Jesus has

 

[Fastfredy0]

Why does the Gospel require preaching and hearing if it is known naturally?​

The question is invalid as it is based on a false premise.

Definition: “The Gospel” is an ambiguous term for has a different meaning to each person. The word gospel means “good news”, but the contents of the good news varies from person to person.

In new testament terms the gospel is the proclamation of the person and work of Jesus Christ plus how the benefits of that work can be appropriated to us by faith and faith alone. R.C. Sproul

If Sproul's definition is correct, then the "gospel" is not "known naturally" as the thesis of the thread portends.

 

[Quantrill]

Why does the Gospel require preaching and hearing if it is known naturally?​

The question is invalid as it is based on a false premise.

Definition: “The Gospel” is an ambiguous term for has a different meaning to each person. The word gospel means “good news”, but the contents of the good news varies from person to person.

In new testament terms the gospel is the proclamation of the person and work of Jesus Christ plus how the benefits of that work can be appropriated to us by faith and faith alone. R.C. Sproul

If Sproul's definition is correct, then the "gospel" is not "known naturally" as the thesis of the thread portends.

No it's not. The Christian knows what the Gospel is.

It doesn't vary from person to person. It is always the Good News concerning God. As to what the Gospel is at that time may vary, but the Gospel, concerning the Scripture, is always the good news concerning God.

Quantrill

 

[humble soul]

Slightly off track perhaps, but aren't we better to witness the Gospel rather than preach it?

 

[Hospes]

Slightly off track perhaps, but aren't we better to witness the Gospel rather than preach it?

Best of all, do both!

 

[Serving Zion]

Romans 1:18-2:16 states that the Gospel is known naturally and all are without excuse (Rom 1:18-2:16). However, Romans 10:9-15 states that salvation requires preaching, hearing and believing the Gospel (Rom 10:9-15). If the Gospel is known naturally, why does it require preaching and hearing?

Romans 1 is talking about a type of person who once knew God but had given up the knowledge of God for unrighteousness, becoming depraved in their thinking and making manifest that the wrath of God comes upon them that are ungodly. (Consider Romans 7:9).

You have to understand the way that sin gets hold of a person (Romans 6:16, James 1:13-15) is that the person is tempted and lured away from the inherent righteousness and innocence that belongs to the human nature. Nobody is born with sin, but they are pure and have no knowledge of sin until sin comes into them by way of their desires (as for example the desire to have Mum's heart when she's not interested in giving her heart to her baby, it produces hurt and when Mum taunts the baby by pretending to be innocent, it provokes rage).

So when a person comes into the grip of sin and is choosing to follow their sinful desires, they are choosing to not remain blameless in God's sight. In order to resist the condemnation of the truth they need to hide from the truth. They become dishonest and cleverly devise lies to argue against every accusation. Lying is a skill that has to be developed through practice and learning how to outsmart the accuser. They shamelessly construct an imaginary view of reality that doesn't reflect the truth but portrays a hypothetical scenario wherein their accuser would be in error. So they abandon the truth, choosing instead to deceive themselves in order to believe the lies they are telling. Anyone who is required to hear their account, as for instance a victim, officer or judge also is at risk then of being lured into the same spirit if they somehow are tempted to desire the lie instead of the truth.

Such a person is said to be "walking in the darkness" because darkness provides obscurity and concealment of truth, whereas light provides clarity (Ephesians 5:14-15).

Romans 10 is talking about the message of salvation to such a person by way of leading them to a place of conviction while they are able to trust that one (1 John 4:18), bringing them to confess that they have sinned, repent of that sin and find mercy in place of condemnation.

A sinner is naturally afraid of being exposed, whether for shame or a sense of punishment/loss, so if the light comes without the grace of God's spirit they would not be inclined to trust the light bearer in order to confess. A person who has subjected their mind to the deceiver also does not understand how God can forgive them and that is why Romans 10 says "how can they hear unless it is preached", and "how can one preach unless he has been sent?"