Why did God give people over to a reprobate mind in Romans 1:28?
Because they did not like or want to retain God in their knowledge. They held the truth underfoot and chose an idolatrous, anti-God attitude, so God judicially gave them over, removing restraints and allowing a reprobate mind. This was a judicial act, not an accident, resulting in no inhibition and behavior that is not normal or beneficial to society.
Les explains that Romans 1:28 describes God acting judicially. The people did not want to retain God in their knowledge; they held the truth underfoot and allowed an idolatrous heart, an anti-God attitude, or some substitute such as secular humanism or atheism to take God's place. Because they refused Him, God gave them over to a reprobate mind and removed all restraints, so there was no inhibition in their personality. Les compares this to Pharaoh: each time Pharaoh said no, God judicially made his position tougher and hardened him further. The result is doing things not convenient—not normal, not society-enhancing—and God can describe them even when we would not dare.
And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
More Questions
Why does God give someone over to a reprobate mind?
Because people did not like or want to retain God in their knowledge, God moves judicially and gives them over to a reprobate mind.