What were our forefathers steeped in before Christianity?

Before Christianity, our forefathers were steeped in idolatry, paganism, superstition, and fear. They lacked the freedom believers now have. Christianity brought spiritual riches to the Gentile world, setting people free from pagan cultures and elevating women to respect and an even keel with mankind.

Les teaches that our forefathers were steeped in idolatry, paganism, superstition, and fear, and they did not have the freedom that believers now have. He connects this to Paul's allusion that the fall of them created the spiritual riches of the Gentile world. Les also explains that Christianity was the greatest feminist movement, setting women free from pagan cultures where women did all the work—planting crops, harvesting, grinding grain, washing clothes, and raising children—while men sat drinking. Christianity brought the woman up to a place of respect and on an even keel with mankind, though it has been abused.

What were the Gentile forefathers steeped in?

The Gentile forefathers were steeped in idolatry. They were also steeped in paganism, superstition, and fear. They did not have the freedom that believers have. This is the darkness Paul alludes to when he says the fall of them created the spiritual riches of the Gentile world.