How should we Christians relate to the pagan world and their works? This is a question that has been examined by many of the great Christian minds throughout history and their answers vary. Tertullian for example considered non-Christian philosophy to be the root of heresy and an evil the destroys the faith of any Christian foolish enough to study it. On the other hand, Justin the martyr beloved that some pagan works were really the seeds of Christendom planted before the coming of Christ. Justin's view comes the closest to realizing the perfect biblical view for two primary reasons, some pagans followed God without knowing him by name and God used even immoral or ignorant pagans to plant the seeds for the coming of his Son. Why does
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A faulty belief on this issue might lead to ignorance and poor decisions. The first reason Justin's answer to this pressing question is the closest to being correct is some pagans followed God without knowing him by name. God reveals himself to mankind in two primary ways, special and naturally revelation. Natural revelation is creation itself as the Bible states in Romans 1:20, 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. God clearly shows his divine power to all of mankind by the works of his mighty hands. Examples of special revelation is God's Living Word, The Bible, and Jesus' time as a man. In the time of the pagans, Special Revelation was mostly limited to God's chosen people, The Israelites. Although special revelation was not available to most pagans God made …show more content…
The omnipotent God of the Bible is able to use even those who hate him to bring his truth to the world. Although the ancient pagans may not have been writing with the intention of glorifying God and spreading the truth God can still use them to bring about his will. God has a plan for the entire universe and not a single thing no matter how small, trivial and seemingly impact less is outside his plan. all actions whether for good or ill are bringing about eh plan of God. So even the works of ancient pagans are in accordance with God's plan even if the original author intended his work to advance his own faulty worldview. As proverbs 19:6 states, "A man’s heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps", although a man may think he is in control and sovereign over his life all his actions and desires are directed by God. So even if a work was created without the purpose of glorifying God and advancing his kingdom it still may help bring about God's eternal plan. We should not ignore a book or other work of art just because it's author was not a follower of the true God for He might still have a grander purpose for the work than we mortals can see. Even the ancient pagans united against God still advanced God's holy
A faulty belief on this issue might lead to ignorance and poor decisions. The first reason Justin's answer to this pressing question is the closest to being correct is some pagans followed God without knowing him by name. God reveals himself to mankind in two primary ways, special and naturally revelation. Natural revelation is creation itself as the Bible states in Romans 1:20, 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. God clearly shows his divine power to all of mankind by the works of his mighty hands. Examples of special revelation is God's Living Word, The Bible, and Jesus' time as a man. In the time of the pagans, Special Revelation was mostly limited to God's chosen people, The Israelites. Although special revelation was not available to most pagans God made …show more content…
The omnipotent God of the Bible is able to use even those who hate him to bring his truth to the world. Although the ancient pagans may not have been writing with the intention of glorifying God and spreading the truth God can still use them to bring about his will. God has a plan for the entire universe and not a single thing no matter how small, trivial and seemingly impact less is outside his plan. all actions whether for good or ill are bringing about eh plan of God. So even the works of ancient pagans are in accordance with God's plan even if the original author intended his work to advance his own faulty worldview. As proverbs 19:6 states, "A man’s heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps", although a man may think he is in control and sovereign over his life all his actions and desires are directed by God. So even if a work was created without the purpose of glorifying God and advancing his kingdom it still may help bring about God's eternal plan. We should not ignore a book or other work of art just because it's author was not a follower of the true God for He might still have a grander purpose for the work than we mortals can see. Even the ancient pagans united against God still advanced God's holy