Created, Designed, and Purposed

For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what was made, so that they are without excuse. - Romans 1:20

Paul's argument 1:18-32 has the peculiar absence of something that we, as Christians would consider absolutely necessary. Paul argues for the righteousness of God without the Bible. This is not the first time we see this. He is also recorded by Luke in the Book of Acts as defending the existence of God without the Bible in Athens (17:16-34). Unbelievers (of the one true God) are guilty and deserving of wrath because they have turned from the creator and worshiped instead the creature.

 Paul does not give a full treatment of where God has revealed Himself here in Romans, so we will look at the passage in Acts to find his thought pattern. We cannot impose them on the argument of Romans but it may give us some insight as to his way of thinking.

First, Paul sees us as created (17:24). There is a famous argument that says, "Everything that begins must be caused." If something has a beginning then it has a cause. Physicists, in their work and theories support this claim. As a matter of fact, the most famous physicist of our time, Stephen Hawking has now claimed that the universe must be created (designed). He can make this claim because of the strong belief in the Big Bang theory. If the universe has a beginning (Big Bang) then it must have cause. If it has a cause then the next step is to say that it must have a causer (creator).

Second, Paul sees us as designed (17:26). The argument here is like a man walking down a beach and unknowingly he kicks up out of the sand a wristwatch. After investigating the wristwatch for a moment he makes the declaration that the elements and time had produced a wristwatch from nothing. He has discovered that a wristwatch formed right there on the beach. What would you say to such a claim? You would certainly resist such thinking. Because the complexity and intentionality of a wristwatch testifies to a maker, a designer. Are we not complex? Are we not testifying to a maker?

Finally, Paul will see us as purposed (17:27-28). Our purpose, if we are created and designed is to seek the creator, the designer. Our planet is perfectly positioned as a platform. One where not only life is present but where we are intended to seek something beyond ourselves. Our location in the galaxy, the distance from the sun, the size of our moon are all factors that contribute to our ability and desire to look into the universe. It just so happens, that when Copernicus and Galileo first began to look at the stars and question the universe it was in the desire to discover their God.

The truth for us today is that God has revealed Himself in His creation. You are the evidence of God. Everything around you points you to His existence. If we do not seek Him, not only are we among all men a failure, but we are without excuse.