I recently posted a YouTube video entitled “Everyone knows God exists–even atheists!” The primary Bible passage was Romans 1:18-20. As you can imagine that, attracted some rebuttals from atheists themselves.
Here is a link to the video: https://youtu.be/7dUg7Lm_jO0
One person offered the suggestion that Romans 1:18-20 contradicts with I Corinthians 8:6-7 to prove that not only was my point wrong, but the Bible cannot be trusted.
Here are the passages in question:
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,
(Romans 1:18-20)
…yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live. However, there is not in everyone that knowledge; for some, with consciousness of the idol, until now eat it as a thing offered to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled.
(1 Corinthians 8:6-7)
The problem with seeing this as a contradiction is misunderstanding (or ignoring) the context. In I Corinthians, Paul is discussing immature believers who haven’t yet shed their pagan beliefs. Because of this, eating meat offered to idols would violate their conscience.
In I Corinthians, these people were not disbelieving in the existence of God (god, gods, etc.), rather, they were believing in multiple gods. Therefore, not only do Romans 1 and I Corinthians 8 agree, they strengthen and support each other. In neither passage does it describe people not acknowledging a supreme being (or supreme beings).
