Where does Les say the false religions and pagan idolatry of the world began?
The false religions and pagan idolatry of the world began at the Tower of Babel. The teaching identifies Babel as the point where all false religions, all pagan idolatry, and the mythologies originated, as Paul reflects back to that event.
Les explains that Paul is reflecting all the way back to the Tower of Babel, where all the false religions of this world began, when all the pagan idolatry began and the mythologies began. He connects this to verse 21, where when they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful, but became vain in their imaginations. Les says they began to philosophize and generate higher thinking, and their foolish heart was darkened. Verse 22 says professing themselves to be wise, they became fools in God's eyes. Les notes he has no right to call them fools and has to admire their accomplishments, but God does. He then comes back to 1 Corinthians, verse 21, where the world by its wisdom knew not God, and points to most university professors today who teach evolution.
Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
More Questions
Where did all the false religions, pagan idolatry, and mythologies of the world begin?
Paul's argument in Romans 1 reflects all the way back to the Tower of Babel, where all of the false religions of this world, all pagan idolatry, and the mythologies began.