Ignorance is Not the Problem

“But I ask, have they not heard? Indeed they have, for “Their voice has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.”” -Romans 10:18

From verses 18-21, Paul again addresses a rhetorical interlocutor to answer what he anticipates will be the salient questions as to why Israel does not believe since he previously argued that faith comes to those who hear the word of Christ preached.

Rhetorical Interlocutor: But I ask, have they not heard? 

Paul: Indeed they have! Haven’t you heard what the Psalmist stated about the word of Christ in Psalm 18:5? 

“The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard. Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them he has set a tent for the sun, which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber, and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy. Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them, and there is nothing hidden from its heat. The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.” -Psalm 19:1–11

Though scholars have made various and differing interpretations of Paul’s quotation of this passage, his use of such a passage declaring the revelatory work of God as undeniable to all is striking (Cf. Romans 1:19-21). However one interprets the variables of his statement and whatever particulars are drawn from it, it is undeniable that Paul, under the inspiration of God’s Holy Spirit is declaring that ignorance is not the problem with those who deny Christ!

While it may sound pious, compassionate, or even philosophical to wonder what happens to some remote, obscure tribe of human beings who have hypothetically never heard of Christ, Paul would say: stop worrying; stop wondering. Ignorance is not their problem. God’s word has been so clearly revealed to all humanity that “his [own] 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.