Idolatria i pogaństwo w świetle Rz 1, 18-32 i apologetyki wczesnochrześcijańskiej II-III wieku

Abstract

God in his essence is unavailable for human cognition. However, human mind can recognize some of his attributes in the harmony of the world which is the rational reality, wearing imprinted nature of the Logos. Man created in the image and likeness of God can seek the truth and choose the good, participating in Logos. Therefore, the truth about one God, the Creator of the world, is available to every human being. It was already discovered by pagan philosophers, but at the same time, it was distorted by the misconception of idolatry. The mistake of idolatry consists in thinking about God in terms of his corporeality, which results in reducing his mystery to human concepts and ideas. The fundamental fault of paganism is non-recognition of God, that leads to idolatry. Hence pagans, who worship the inferior creatures, insult God by the impious cult, and humiliate human dignity by their unreasonable, beastly life. It is expressed by the fact that man, following the temptations suggested by demons, chooses lust against God and against his own reason, and enters the path of sin. This choice causes the impurity and the obduracy of heart, and the insensitivity of conscience. It hinders the recognition of God who reveals himself and strengthens human’s closure on him. Then pagans, subjected by God to the lustful desires of their heart, get into all kinds of iniquity, and become slaves to their own lusts.