HEATHENISM
I. Three systems of human perception
A.
Empiricism
1.
Perception
through observation and experimentation. Conclusions derived
from the observation of phenomena.
2.
Reality
through sensory perception rather than theory, which is rationalism.
3.
Aristotle
demonstrated the failure of
empiricism to understand and know
God, "the Unmoved Mover."
B.
Rationalism
1.
Perception
through reason. Reason
is the source of knowledge, and in itself, is superior to and independent of
sensory perception (empiricism).
2.
The
criterion for perception is the human mind. Under this system both
doctrine and all Scripture are subjected to the test of human reason. Both dogma and supernatural are
rejected.
3.
Descartes
demonstrated the failure of rationalism to understand God: "I think; therefore, I exist." (1
Cor. 2:14)
C.
Faith
1.
System
of perception which accepts an established criterion as the basis
of reality.
2.
This
criterion is outside of the capabilities of the individual;
therefore,
making faith the only non-meritorious system of perception in the
human race.
3.
Hence,
faith is tantamount to confidence or belief in the authority and
veracity of another, e.g., God.
4.
Since
the verb "to believe" is a transitive verb, the real merit of faith
lies in the object of the verb.
a. In salvation —
Christ.
b. In Christian modus operand! —
The Bible.
5.
Faith
is the only system of perception which is compatible with the
principle of grace.
6.
Only
system of perception common to all members of the human
race.
7. Only means of appropriating salvation (John 3:15, 16; 20:31; Acts 16:31).
II. Logical approaches to the existence of God
A. Religious
1.
God must exist because man universally believes in His existence.
2.
In
this case the human mind establishes faith as the criterion for reality.
B.
Moral or Anthropological
1.
Man
possesses a conscience with the urge to choose right over wrong.
2.
The structure of society and the function of human government
express human recognition of virtue
and truth.
C.
Ontological
1.
The
human mind possesses the idea of perfect and absolute Being; therefore,
such a Being must exist.
2.
In
this case, the mind uses rationalism as the criterion of reality.
D.
Teleological
1.
Structure of the universe demands a Designer (Rom. 1:19, 20).
2.
In
this case, mind uses empiricism as the Criterion of reality.
E.
Cosmological
1.
Intuitive law of cause and effect demands the existence of God.
2. This is the perceptive process of rationalism plus logic.
III. The reaction to God-consciousness
A.
When man becomes conscious of God, he then
exercises positive or negative
volition.
B.
Positive volition: desire to know God and
have fellowship with Him.
C.
Negative volition: no interest in
fellowship with God.
D.
Once a person reaches God-consciousness
and has no desire for fellowship with God, God has no further obligation to
that individual.
E. In the case of positive volition, God is responsible to provide information on which to be saved (John 7:17; Acts 17:27; Jer. 29:13).
IV. The problem of heathenism
A.
Application of the doctrine of Divine Essence.
1.
Since
God is perfect righteousness and justice, it is impossible for Him
to be unfair to any member of the human race.
2.
Promise that every generation will be evangelized (Isa. 51:8b).
B.
Application of the
doctrine
of unlimited atonement.
1.
Christ
died for all members of the human race (2 Cor. 5:14, 15, 19; 1
Tim. 2:6; 4:10; Titus 2:11; Heb.
2:9; 2 Pet. 2:1; 1 John 2:2).
2.
Therefore, God obviously desires the salvation of everyone.
C.
Application
of Divine Sovereignty.
1.
It is God's will that all members of the human race be saved (2 Pet.
3:9).
2.
If they are not saved, it is because of their own negative volition or
rejection of Christ as Savior.
D.
Application
of the principle of God-consciousness.
1.
Two areas in which a decision must be made.
a.
At
the point of God-consciousness.
b.
At
the point of gospel-hearing.
2.
Principle.
a.
If any member of the human race, regardless
of geographical isolation or
linguistic barrier desires relationship with God after reaching
God-consciousness, God will provide gospel information on which to be saved (John 7:17; John
Chapters 9 and 10; Acts 17:27; Jer.
29:13).
b.
Man has the ability to arrive at
God-consciousness through the activity of his own mind (Rom. 1:20,
21).
c.
When
a member of the human race has arrived at the point of God-consciousness,
he has reached the point of accountability. This varies with cultures and
circumstances of environment.
E. Essence of Heathenism
Heathenism
exists where the gospel has been preached and rejected, or where
people have reached God-consciousness and rejected (Rom. 1:18-30; 10:18; 2
Thess. 1:8; Isa. 40:17-21).