Sermons on Romans 1:25

Romans 1:25 Interpretation:

Restoring Human Dignity Through Christ's Love and Grace (FCF Church) offers a unique interpretation of Romans 1:25 by connecting the exchange of the truth about God for a lie to the way people construct distorted images of God that suit their own preferences and lifestyles. The sermon uses the analogy of "god-makers," suggesting that humans instinctively create a "tame, controllable god" that aligns with their desires, rather than submitting to the true Creator. This is contrasted with the Pharisees' performance-based, appeasement-oriented view of God, which the preacher argues is a modern as well as ancient error. The sermon also draws a direct line from a distorted view of God to a distorted view of self and others, arguing that when we worship created things (including our own ideas about God), we lose sight of human dignity and begin to dehumanize others. The preacher further employs the metaphor of a "central organizing principle" to describe whatever we worship, whether it be money, power, or even a person, and how this shapes our values and character. The sermon also references the Greek word "pistis" (faith) to emphasize that biblical faith is about relational trust, not mere intellectual assent, which ties back to the idea of truly knowing and worshiping the Creator rather than a self-fashioned idol.

Understanding Idolatry: True Worship Beyond Images (Open the Bible) provides a novel interpretive framework for Romans 1:25 by employing Augustine's definition of idolatry: "worshiping what should be used or using what should be worshiped." The preacher uses a spectrum of analogies—"my boots, my dog, my wife, my country, my God"—to illustrate the difference between ownership, use, loyalty, and worship, and how idolatry confuses these categories. The sermon uniquely highlights that idolatry is not only about worshiping created things but also about attempting to use God as a resource, treating Him like an object for our convenience. This dual aspect of idolatry—misplacing worship and misusing God—expands the understanding of Romans 1:25 beyond the typical focus on external idols to include internal attitudes and motivations. The preacher also references the Hebrew name for God, "Yahweh," to stress the importance of worshiping God as He truly is, not as we imagine or desire Him to be.

Reviving Ancient Spirituality: Jung and Modern Paganism (Ligonier Ministries) interprets Romans 1:25 as a summary of the fundamental divide between biblical faith and all forms of pagan spirituality, both ancient and modern. The sermon frames the verse as Paul's diagnosis of the perennial human tendency to collapse the distinction between Creator and creation, which is at the heart of all forms of paganism, Gnosticism, and modern spiritualities. The preacher traces this "exchange" through history, showing how the same core idea—divinizing nature, the self, or the cosmos—reappears under different guises, from ancient mystery religions to Jungian psychology and contemporary environmentalism. The sermon uses the phrase "as above, so below" and the concept of "the Great Work" as metaphors for this idolatrous uniting of opposites and the erasure of the Creator/creature distinction, which is precisely what Romans 1:25 condemns.

Worship: A Privilege, Responsibility, and True Expression (Alistair Begg, Truth For Life) interprets Romans 1:25 as a diagnosis of the universal human tendency to worship, not as a question of whether people worship, but what or whom they worship. Begg uniquely frames the verse as a commentary on the anthropological reality that every culture is a worshiping culture, and the tragedy is not the cessation of worship but the misdirection of worship toward created things. He uses the analogy of American bumper stickers about "Mother Earth" to illustrate modern forms of idolatry, equating environmental pantheism with the ancient error Paul describes. Begg also draws a sharp distinction between worshiping the true God—specifically, the Trinitarian God revealed in Christ—and all other forms of worship, arguing that only worship which honors the Son is acceptable, thus applying Romans 1:25 to contemporary religious pluralism and syncretism.

Proclaiming Truth in a Neo-Pagan Culture (Ligonier Ministries) offers a novel interpretation by framing Romans 1:25 as the foundational text for distinguishing between what the speaker calls "one-ism" and "two-ism." The sermon uses the verse to argue that the root of paganism and modern spiritual confusion is the collapse of the Creator/creature distinction, with "one-ism" being the worship of creation as divine, and "two-ism" being the biblical affirmation of a transcendent Creator distinct from creation. The preacher employs the metaphor of a circle (everything inside is one, including good and evil, God and man) to illustrate the worldview shift described in Romans 1:25, and contrasts it with the biblical "two-ism" where God and creation are fundamentally separate.

Grounding Faith: Embracing Grace and Understanding Sovereignty (Ligonier Ministries) interprets Romans 1:25 as a simple but profound dichotomy: there are only two ways to be religious—worshiping the creation or worshiping the Creator. The speaker, Peter Jones, distills Paul's argument to "two ways of being human," and uses the language of "one-ist" (creation-worship) and "two-ist" (Creator-worship) to clarify the passage's relevance for apologetics and worldview formation. This interpretation is notable for its pedagogical simplicity and its application to contemporary debates about spirituality and the nature of God.

True Worship: Heart Over Structure in Faith (SermonIndex.net) references Romans 1:25 to highlight the essential lie of the devil: that humans worship created things rather than the Creator. The sermon uses this as a springboard to discuss the nature of true worship, emphasizing that God is not interested in physical structures or external forms, but in the heart and motives of worshipers. The preacher draws a parallel between the Old Testament tabernacle/temple and modern church buildings, arguing that the real issue is whether Christ is "comfortable" in the church—i.e., whether the worship is directed to God alone, with humility, reverence, and a sense of need, rather than to human pride or self-sufficiency.

Romans 1:25 Theological Themes:

Restoring Human Dignity Through Christ's Love and Grace (FCF Church) introduces the theme that idolatry, as described in Romans 1:25, leads directly to the dehumanization and loss of dignity for both self and others. The preacher argues that when people worship created things or distorted images of God, they inevitably lose sight of the intrinsic worth of human beings, resulting in cycles of denigration, degradation, dehumanization, and ultimately destruction. This theme is developed with the assertion that only a true vision of God as revealed in Christ can restore human dignity, and that our view of God is inseparable from our treatment of others.

Understanding Idolatry: True Worship Beyond Images (Open the Bible) presents the distinct theological theme that idolatry is not only about external objects but also about the internal disposition to use God for our own ends. The preacher's use of Augustine's and C.S. Lewis's categories highlights the subtlety of idolatry: it is as much about treating God as a means to an end as it is about worshiping the wrong things. This theme is further developed by emphasizing that true worship is loving God for who He is, not for what He can do for us, and that the greatest act of worship is to love God in the midst of pain or unanswered questions, rather than manipulating Him for personal gain.

Reviving Ancient Spirituality: Jung and Modern Paganism (Ligonier Ministries) introduces the theological theme that the core of all non-biblical spirituality is the erasure of the Creator/creature distinction, which Romans 1:25 identifies as the root of idolatry. The sermon argues that this is not a new phenomenon but a recurring pattern throughout history, manifesting in various forms of mysticism, occultism, and even modern environmentalism. The preacher contends that the "exchange" described by Paul is the perennial temptation to divinize the self or nature, and that this is the defining mark of all pagan and Gnostic systems.

Worship: A Privilege, Responsibility, and True Expression (Alistair Begg, Truth For Life) introduces the theme that idolatry is not merely an ancient or primitive error but is alive in modern forms such as environmentalism and religious pluralism. Begg adds the facet that true worship must be Trinitarian, and that any worship which does not honor the Son is, by definition, a worship of the creature rather than the Creator, thus directly applying Romans 1:25 to contemporary debates about the exclusivity of Christ.

Proclaiming Truth in a Neo-Pagan Culture (Ligonier Ministries) develops the theological theme of "one-ism" versus "two-ism," arguing that the fundamental heresy of paganism (and much of modern spirituality) is the erasure of the Creator/creature distinction. The sermon uniquely applies Romans 1:25 to diagnose the spiritual root of contemporary cultural trends, including the rise of nature worship, syncretism, and the blending of good and evil, and frames the Christian response as the recovery of "two-ism."

Grounding Faith: Embracing Grace and Understanding Sovereignty (Ligonier Ministries) adds a new angle by connecting Romans 1:25 to the debate between Calvinism and Arminianism, suggesting that the "one-ist" spirituality of modern paganism is fundamentally Arminian in its assertion of human autonomy and inner divinity, whereas the biblical "two-ism" upholds God's radical otherness and sovereignty.

True Worship: Heart Over Structure in Faith (SermonIndex.net) presents the theme that the essence of idolatry is not external but internal—rooted in pride, lack of humility, and self-sufficiency. The sermon applies Romans 1:25 to the life of the church by arguing that Christ is only "comfortable" where there is genuine humility, reverence for God's word, a sense of need, and peace among believers, thus making the passage a diagnostic tool for spiritual health rather than merely a warning against obvious forms of idolatry.

Romans 1:25 Historical and Contextual Insights:

Restoring Human Dignity Through Christ's Love and Grace (FCF Church) provides historical context by describing the cultural and religious environment of the Pharisees in Jesus' day, noting their performance-based, ceremonial approach to God and their tendency to judge and dehumanize those they considered sinners. The preacher also references the Stoic philosophers of third-century BC Greece, who believed in the intrinsic worth of human beings, and contrasts this with the biblical teaching that humans are made in the image of God. Additionally, the sermon explains the social customs of first-century Palestine, such as the open nature of homes and the expected gestures of hospitality, to illuminate the story of Jesus, Simon the Pharisee, and the sinful woman.

Embracing Each Day: Dethroning Idols, Recognizing God (Become New) offers historical insight into the ancient Near Eastern context of Genesis and the temptation to worship celestial bodies like the sun, moon, and stars. The preacher explains that the Genesis creation account deliberately avoids naming these bodies to counteract the idolatrous tendencies of surrounding cultures, such as the Babylonians, who were the first great astrological culture. This context is used to show how the biblical narrative insists on the distinction between Creator and creation, which Paul later echoes in Romans 1:25.

Reviving Ancient Spirituality: Jung and Modern Paganism (Ligonier Ministries) provides extensive historical context by tracing the roots of the Creator/creature confusion from ancient paganism, Gnosticism, and mystery religions through to modern expressions in Jungian psychology, theosophy, Freemasonry, and environmentalism. The preacher cites specific historical figures, movements, and phrases (e.g., "as above, so below," "the Great Work," "Perennial Philosophy") to demonstrate the continuity of this idolatrous impulse across cultures and eras, arguing that what Paul describes in Romans 1:25 is a timeless human tendency.

Proclaiming Truth in a Neo-Pagan Culture (Ligonier Ministries) provides extensive historical context, tracing the development of Western thought from Christian monotheism to secular humanism and then to a resurgence of paganism and nature worship. The sermon references the French Revolution, the decline of secular humanism, and the influence of figures like Carl Jung and Julian the Apostate, arguing that the modern West has returned to the ancient error Paul describes in Romans 1:25. The preacher also explains the cultural significance of the Creator/creature distinction in the ancient world and how its collapse has led to contemporary spiritual confusion.

Grounding Faith: Embracing Grace and Understanding Sovereignty (Ligonier Ministries) offers a brief historical insight by referencing the Gnostic term "abasileutos" (without a king) to describe the ancient and modern impulse toward spiritual autonomy, connecting it to the broader context of paganism in Paul's time and its resurgence today.

Romans 1:25 Cross-References in the Bible:

Restoring Human Dignity Through Christ's Love and Grace (FCF Church) references several biblical passages to expand on Romans 1:25. 2 Kings is cited to illustrate the principle that those who follow worthless idols become worthless themselves, reinforcing the idea that what we worship shapes our character. Colossians is referenced to affirm that the fullness of God dwells in Christ, making Him the definitive revelation of God's character and the antidote to idolatrous distortions. Romans 5:8 and Romans 8:31 are used to emphasize God's love and commitment to humanity even in our sinful state, contrasting the true God with the false gods of appeasement and performance. 2 Corinthians is also mentioned to warn against the folly of comparing ourselves to others rather than to Christ, which is another form of idolatry. 1 Peter 2:9 and 1 Corinthians 6 are cited to highlight the unique dignity and destiny of human beings as God's special possession and future judges of angels.

Embracing Each Day: Dethroning Idols, Recognizing God (Become New) cross-references Romans 1:25 with Isaiah 40, using the prophet's rhetorical questions about the uniqueness of God and the futility of comparing Him to created things to reinforce Paul's warning against worshiping creation. The preacher also alludes to the story of Eli and his sons in 1 Samuel as an example of how even good things like family can become idols if they are placed above God.

Understanding Idolatry: True Worship Beyond Images (Open the Bible) references Exodus 20 (the second commandment) as the primary text, but also explicitly connects Romans 1:25 as Paul's commentary on the same issue—replacing the Creator with created things. The preacher also cites Ezekiel 18:20 to clarify that God does not punish children for their parents' sins, but that the consequences of idolatry can ripple through generations. The sermon further references the words of Jesus about being the image of the invisible God, emphasizing that true worship centers on Christ as the ultimate revelation of God.

Worship: A Privilege, Responsibility, and True Expression (Alistair Begg, Truth For Life) cross-references John 5, where Jesus insists that honoring the Father requires honoring the Son, to reinforce the exclusivity of true worship. Begg also references John 4 (worship in spirit and truth) to distinguish between the manner and mode of worship, and Mark 14 (the woman anointing Jesus) to illustrate selfless adoration. These passages are used to support the claim that worship must be God-centered, Trinitarian, and grounded in biblical revelation, thus expanding on the implications of Romans 1:25.

True Worship: Heart Over Structure in Faith (SermonIndex.net) cross-references Acts 7 (Stephen's speech about the tabernacle and temple), 1 Corinthians 10, Hebrews 3–4 (Israel's disobedience), 1 Thessalonians 5 (not grieving the Spirit), 1 Chronicles 17 and 2 Chronicles 6 (David's desire to build the temple), Isaiah 66 and 57 (God's dwelling with the humble), Philippians 2 (humility), Psalm 34 (the Lord is near to the brokenhearted), Revelation 3 (the church in Laodicea), Ephesians 2 (peace in the church), and Isaiah 9 (the Prince of Peace). Each reference is used to build a comprehensive picture of what it means to worship the Creator rather than the creature, emphasizing humility, reverence, and peace as marks of true worship.

Romans 1:25 Christian References outside the Bible:

Understanding Idolatry: True Worship Beyond Images (Open the Bible) explicitly references Augustine's definition of idolatry—"worshiping what should be used or using what should be worshiped"—as a foundational lens for understanding Romans 1:25. The preacher also draws on C.S. Lewis's distinctions in "The Screwtape Letters" regarding the spectrum of love and ownership, using Lewis's categories ("my boots, my dog, my wife, my country, my God") to illustrate the gradations between use and worship. Additionally, the sermon quotes a contemporary Christian writer on the "explosive power of the Living God" and the impossibility of harnessing or bargaining with Him, reinforcing the theme that God is to be worshiped, not manipulated.

Worship: A Privilege, Responsibility, and True Expression (Alistair Begg, Truth For Life) explicitly references the Puritan prayer book "The Valley of Vision" to illustrate Trinitarian worship, and quotes Archbishop Temple on the nature of worship as the "submission of our nature to God." These references are used to deepen the understanding of worship as self-surrender and adoration, aligning with the message of Romans 1:25.

Proclaiming Truth in a Neo-Pagan Culture (Ligonier Ministries) cites C.S. Lewis, quoting his statement that "what makes and what is made must be two, not one," to support the "two-ism" interpretation of Romans 1:25. The sermon also references Carl Jung (as a negative influence) and his biographer Richard Noll, as well as David Miller's "The New Polytheism," to trace the intellectual roots of modern paganism and its connection to the ancient error Paul describes.

Grounding Faith: Embracing Grace and Understanding Sovereignty (Ligonier Ministries) references John Piper's exhortation to "contend for the truth," and mentions theologians such as Luther, Edwards, Gregory Nazianzus, Geerhardus Vos, Herman Witsius, Palmer Robertson, and Meredith Kline in the context of broader theological discussions, though not all are directly tied to Romans 1:25.

Romans 1:25 Illustrations from Secular Sources:

Restoring Human Dignity Through Christ's Love and Grace (FCF Church) uses the analogy of eating hamburgers versus the horror of eating "human burgers" to highlight the intrinsic sense of human dignity that persists even in a culture influenced by evolutionary theory. The preacher also references the Declaration of Independence and the Stoic philosophers to show that the idea of inherent human worth is not unique to Christianity but is affirmed across cultures, though only fully grounded in the biblical doctrine of creation. The sermon further employs the metaphor of emergency room doctors treating patients who have ruined their health through years of self-destructive behavior, likening this to God's willingness to restore us even at our worst.

Embracing Each Day: Dethroning Idols, Recognizing God (Become New) uses the example of a psychic suing a Major League Baseball team for allegedly impairing her abilities with electronic security devices, humorously questioning the validity of her claims and illustrating the futility of idolatry. The preacher also references the prevalence of astrology in ancient Babylon and the modern world, drawing a parallel between ancient and contemporary forms of seeking guidance from creation rather than the Creator.

Reviving Ancient Spirituality: Jung and Modern Paganism (Ligonier Ministries) provides a detailed survey of secular and occult sources to illustrate the persistence of the Creator/creature confusion condemned in Romans 1:25. The preacher cites figures such as George Bernard Shaw, Madame Blavatsky, Alice Bailey, Thomas Berry, Aleister Crowley, and Prince Charles, as well as movements like theosophy, Freemasonry, Wicca, and the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. The sermon explains concepts like "the Great Work," "as above, so below," and "the Perennial Philosophy," showing how these ideas have shaped both popular culture (e.g., the Beatles' Sgt. Pepper album) and elite discourse (e.g., United Nations environmentalism). The preacher also references the book "The Joy of Sects" to illustrate the idea of a single perennial stream of spirituality underlying all religions, which is presented as the ultimate expression of the idolatry Paul describes in Romans 1:25.

Worship: A Privilege, Responsibility, and True Expression (Alistair Begg, Truth For Life) uses the example of American bumper stickers about "Mother Earth" to illustrate how modern environmentalism can become a form of idolatry, paralleling the ancient worship of creation described in Romans 1:25. Begg also references a newspaper editorial about the Pope's visit to America, critiquing the idea of a generic, pluralistic "God" as another manifestation of creature-worship.

Proclaiming Truth in a Neo-Pagan Culture (Ligonier Ministries) provides a wealth of secular illustrations, including a quote from Jeremy Rifkin about humans becoming "the architects of the universe," a statement by CNN anchor Chris Cuomo that "our rights do not come from God, they come from man," and references to the influence of Carl Jung, Julian the Apostate, and the "Death of God" theologians. The sermon also discusses the impact of Eastern spirituality on American culture, citing Phillip Goldberg's "American Veda" and the Newsweek article "We are all Hindus now," as well as the psychologist June Singer's advocacy for androgyny and the blending of gender distinctions. The preacher further references the Gay Liberation Manifesto and the development of non-gendered fashion at Selfridges in London as examples of the cultural outworking of "one-ism."

Grounding Faith: Embracing Grace and Understanding Sovereignty (Ligonier Ministries) includes a personal anecdote from R.C. Sproul about a conversation with a young woman who claimed to be God after attending a New Age camp, using this as a vivid illustration of the modern embrace of "one-ist" spirituality and the collapse of the Creator/creature distinction.