Atheism, Foolishness and Idolatry

Paul says that sinners are constantly trying to hold down or suppress the truth in unrighteousness. Though it is an impossible thing to succeed in doing, nevertheless, the unbeliever constantly keeps at it in order to hide from the light. Man is made in the image of God and thus as soon as man is conscious of himself he is at the same time conscious of God. God has made Himself obvious and clear to everyone through His creation. Moreover, Paul explains that what is obvious and inescapable since the creation of the world is God's eternal power and divinity. Thus, there are no innocent savages in the world who have no knowledge about the true God. The reason pagans worship idols and deny God's power, wisdom, glory and righteousness is because they are willfully trying to suppress the truth in unrighteousness. They are rebels in their hearts and refuse to bow to what they know is inescapably true and clear. We learn too how vital this understanding is when it comes to determining our method of evangelism and that primitivism and backwardness are not due to ignorance but are a consequence of a people's stubborn rebellion against the inescapable knowledge of the true God.