Where does Paul trace the beginning of all false religions and pagan idolatry?
Paul traces the beginning of all false religions and pagan idolatry back to the Tower of Babel. According to this passage, that is where the world's false religions, pagan idolatry, and mythologies began, after humanity knew God but did not glorify Him as God or remain thankful.
Les explains that Paul is reflecting all the way back to the Tower of Babel, the point where all the false religions of this world, all pagan idolatry, and the mythologies began. He then points to the verse about those who knew God but did not glorify Him as God or give thanks; instead they became vain in their imaginations, began to philosophize and generate higher thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools in God's eyes. Les also connects this to 1 Corinthians 1:21, where the world by its wisdom knew not God, and he illustrates it with most university professors today teaching 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.