They'd probably have a problem with 2 Timothy 3:16-17, then:
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.(italics mine)
(Of course, in true Clintonian fashion, they might say that it depends on what the definition of "all" is...)
And let's not forget what Paul talked about in Romans 1, that because these wicked people knew who God was, but didn't glorify Him or give thanks to Him, and didn't find it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, that "God gave them over" to a host of things, including in verses 26 and 27 of Chapter 1:
Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion. (emphases and italics mine)
Folks, the manifestation of Romans chapter 1 (the latter half, anyway) is not just part of the world - it is part of the church! Not the part that Jesus told to Peter, that "the gates of Hades would not overcome it", but the other "church". Paul predicted what's going on today...even in "churches" like the NCC, and with the, uh, Revrun Thacksunnnnnnnnnn...
I digress slightly, but when I was first taught this passage, in a non-liberal church, the passage about the wrath of God being poured out, was preceded by the good news of Romans 1:16 ("I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation for all who believe...").
The pastor said that before you could fully understand the good news, we needed to know about the bad news...and in the first three chapters of Romans, there is plenty of it. In the second half of Romans 1, up to the first 20 verses of Romans 3, three groups of people were covered:
--godless wicked
--godless "good people"
--godless "religious people"
In the end, Paul declares what believers know, or should - that "no one will be declared righteous in God's sight by observing the law" (Romans 3:20). The pastor put it another way - "the law wasn't given to make us better; the law was given to show us how bad we are!"
But then two of the best words in the Bible follow: "But now". Man is deceitfully wicked, people think they are right in their own eyes, the world's gone to hell in a handbasket..."but now"...a righteousness from God, apart from the Law, has been made known, to which both the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and have come short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came from Christ Jesus." (3:21-24, italics added)
Now THAT's GREAT news!
I've been lurking for awhile but I had to thank you for that marvelous post. Paul's letter to the Romans is a masterpiece of the Holy Spirit - and it touches on so many modern-day issues that sometimes it's hard to remember that its central message is that sinners are saved by God's grace. Thanks for reminding me.
AMEN & AMEN!
This is my favorite subject!! No--not the homosexual marriage/abortion subject--I'm talking about my Jesus!
Hallelujah, He reigns!