This episode spells out the consequences of "fooldom," where one prefers "foolish speculations" over the knowledge of God. Declaring in their hearts that "there is no God"(Psalm 14:1), the fool suppresses the available knowledge of God, speaking through creation and conscience. Just as nature abhors a vacuum, fools fill the void with futile speculations, ultimately aiming to "exchange the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man." (Romans 1:23) Self-serving idolatry then is the objective behind the rationalizations and actions of fools, who in varying degrees, resist the knowledge of God in pursuit of their own ends and glory. A common theme of future broadcasts is that "fools despise wisdom and instruction. (Proverbs 1:7) The underlying idolatry of the above "great exchange" anticipates hostile reactions to any who might correct the fool.
Christianity and Islam: Starting Points and Goals
This episode contrasts Christianity with Islam in the themes of sin, salvation and ultimate goals. Muslims believe that all people are born without a propensity to sin (original sin) but are corrupted by the world when they engage in idolatry. Salvation then is renouncing idolatry by embracing Islam, the goal of which is submission to Allah. Christianity by contrast insists all mankind is born predisposed against God and the knowledge of God, and pursues a life of idolatry as a result of his rejection of the knowledge of God. (Romans 1:18-25) In salvation, the Christian repents of self-idolatry, putting his faith in Christ as the sin substitute who bore his sin and gave him His righteousness. He receives a new heart in regeneration, one that delights in the knowledge of God, as the Holy Spirit progressively conforms him into the image [knowledge] of Christ. Both Christianity and Islam renounce idolatry and promote total submission to God, but the starting points and end goals are very different, largely based on acceptance/rejection of original sin and the knowability of God Himself.
The god behind the ‘Good Works’ of Unbelievers
This episode addresses the root reason why unbelievers are often adamant about their ability to do good works. Works can be described as "good" in so far as they serve some purpose. Since mankind was created for God's glory (Isaiah 43:7), but has nevertheless fallen short of that glory (Romans 3:23), his works can not logically be described as "good." But if man rejects his purpose, that he was created for God's glory, and even exchanges that glory for man's glory, then the works of man are evaluated based on their service to the glory of man. Morality itself becomes a social construct ultimately aimed at the glory of man. Romans 1:18-25 traces the descent of exchanging the glory of God for an image in the form of corruptible man, concluding that man "worships and serves the creature rather than the Creator." Very critically, unregenerate man rejects the glory of God as the purpose of man, suppressing the truth in unrighteousness, and substitutes himself as the object of worship. Morality and "good" works merely reflect the god that is served, so not surprisingly, many unbelievers insist that they do good works.