RE: [asa] St. Andrew & natural theology

A very inspiring passage George and I agree we as His disciples are part of
His revelation in the earth and have been charged with taking it to the
uttermost parts. But at the time when Romans was penned and when Paul said
that all humanity already knew "that which can be known" and were without
excuse, the gospel hadn't gotten very far out of Asia Minor and to Greece
and Rome. Clearly he is speaking of another component of natural revelation
besides the church.

Thanks

John

-----Original Message-----
From: asa-owner@lists.calvin.edu [mailto:asa-owner@lists.calvin.edu] On
Behalf Of George Murphy
Sent: Friday, November 30, 2007 12:35 PM
To: ASA list
Subject: [asa] St. Andrew & natural theology

30 November is the traditional Feast of St. Andrew & both the Episcopal &
Lutheran lectionaries assign Psalm19:1-6 as the psalm for that observance.
(Episcopalians may also include the latter half of the psalm.) This of
course is a text that is often cited in support of the possibility of a
natural knowledge of God - "The heavens declare the glory of God" &c. But
why is it particularly appropriate for the apostle Andrew?

The answer is in the Epistle suggested for the day, Romans 10:10-18 (or 8b -
18 for Episcopalians). In the last verse of this selection Paul quotes from
Psalm 19: "Their voice has gone out to all the earth, and their words to
the ends of the world." But it's clear from the context that Paul is not
referring this to any message conveyed by the heavens but to the apostolic
proclamation of Christ - for which Andrew is one example (John 1:40-42).

Shalom
George
http://web.raex.com/~gmurphy/

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Received on Fri Nov 30 12:47:07 2007