The role of Natural theology

This week I hear a nice talk by Andrew Brown at UniBible Talks on 1 Corinthians 2. This together with the hospitalisation of Stephen Hawking prompted thoughts about natural theology. How much knowledge of God is available to all human beings without recourse to faith and special revelation? This issue is often intensely debated by those with an interest in the relationship between the natural sciences and theology. Earlier this year I read a nice article, "Karl Barth and the legitimacy of natural theology" by Rodney Holder (now at the Faraday Institute, Cambridge). It drew a critical response by John McDowell (who is now the Foundation Professor of Theology at the University of Newcastle, Australia; I am really looking forward to meeting him).

A key issue is the exegesis of Romans 1:19-20:

¹⁹For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. ²⁰For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made.

which is often used (along with Psalm 19:1) to justify natural theology. Holder makes an important point which I think is often overlooked by advocates of natural theology:

"In Romans 1:19ff also, we read that human beings are without excuse because they could know God from creation, but in practice turned to idols and perversion. There is natural knowledge of God, but God's revelation in Christ is essential for salvation."

This is clearer when one reads the above verses in context:

¹⁸For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. ¹⁹For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. ²⁰For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. ²¹For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

Thus, sin corrupts our ability to reason and so from what is revealed in nature it is not possible (without a redeemed mind) to know the real truth about God.

As an aside, Holder mentions an article, "Natural theology in Paul? Reading Romans 1:19-20" by Douglas Campbell that I need to read.