Natural religion refers to the understanding and acknowledgment of God and His attributes through the observation of nature and the use of human reason, independent of divine revelation. This concept is rooted in the belief that certain truths about God and morality can be discerned through the natural world and the innate moral sense within humans.

Biblical Basis

The Bible provides several passages that support the idea of natural religion, emphasizing that God's existence and attributes can be perceived through His creation. In Romans 1:19-20 , the Apostle Paul writes, "For what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—His eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse." This passage suggests that the natural world reveals enough about God to hold humanity accountable for recognizing His presence and power.

Similarly, Psalm 19:1-4 declares, "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. Without speech or language, without a sound to be heard, their voice has gone out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world." Here, the psalmist poetically describes how the natural world continuously testifies to God's glory and craftsmanship.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, natural religion underscores the belief that God has implanted a sense of the divine within every human being. This is often referred to as the "sensus divinitatis," a term popularized by theologian John Calvin, which suggests that an innate awareness of God exists in all people. This concept aligns with the biblical assertion that humans are created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27), implying a natural capacity to recognize and respond to the divine.

Natural religion also plays a role in the moral understanding of humanity. Romans 2:14-15 states, "Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them." This passage suggests that even those without access to divine revelation possess an inherent understanding of moral law, further supporting the concept of natural religion.

Limitations and Complementarity

While natural religion provides a foundation for recognizing God's existence and moral order, it is considered insufficient for a complete understanding of God's will and the path to salvation. The Bible emphasizes the necessity of divine revelation for a full comprehension of God's redemptive plan. Hebrews 1:1-2 states, "On many past occasions and in many different ways, God spoke to our fathers through the prophets. But in these last days, He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom He made the universe."

Thus, while natural religion can lead individuals to acknowledge God's existence and moral truths, it is through Scripture and the revelation of Jesus Christ that the fullness of God's nature and His plan for humanity is revealed.Job 12:7-16
But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach you; and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell you:
Nave's Topical Index

Job 35:10-12
But none said, Where is God my maker, who gives songs in the night;
Nave's Topical Index

Job 37:1-24
At this also my heart trembles, and is moved out of his place.
Nave's Topical Index

Psalm 8:1-9
O LORD, our Lord, how excellent is your name in all the earth! who have set your glory above the heavens.
Nave's Topical Index

Psalm 19:1-6
The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows his handiwork.
Nave's Topical Index

Acts 14:17
Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.
Nave's Topical Index

Acts 17:23-28
For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore you ignorantly worship, him declare I to you.
Nave's Topical Index

Romans 1:18-20
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
Nave's Topical Index

Romans 10:16-18
But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias said, Lord, who has believed our report?
Nave's Topical Index

The New Testament Has Hindered the Natural Impulse to Give to the ...
... The New Testament has hindered the natural impulse to give to the content of Religion
a simple, clear, and logical expression, but, on the other hand, it has ...
/.../harnack/the origin of the new testament/ 11 the new testament.htm

On Religion; the Natural and Divine Life; and the Exemplification ...
... PART I. On Religion; the Natural and Divine Life; and the exemplification
of Divine Love in our blessed Savior. my dear friend, ...
/.../scougal/the life of god in the soul of man/part i on religion the.htm

Religion a Weariness to the Natural Man.
... SERMON II. Religion a Weariness to the Natural Man. ... Now the dread of ridicule, indeed,
is natural enough; but why should religion inspire ridicule? ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol vii/sermon ii religion a weariness.htm

Proposition Though the Necessity and Indispensableness of all the ...
... A DISCOURSE CONCERNING THE UNCHANGEABLE OBLIGATIONS OF NATURAL RELIGION
AND THE TRUTH AND CERTAINTY OF THE CHRISTIAN REVELATION. ...
/.../v proposition v though the.htm

"Hence it Sufficiently Appears, that Your Way of Natural Religion ...
... [Way-2-129] "Hence it sufficiently appears, that your way of natural religion
cannot be the way of? "Hence it sufficiently appears ...
/.../law/the way to divine knowledge/way-2-129 hence it sufficiently appears.htm

Miracles and Supernatural Religion
... What any man can achieve is conditioned by the psychical quality of his life.--Nothing
more natural. ... Miracles and Supernatural Religion Christian Bookshelf. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/whiton/miracles and supernatural religion/

Preface
... Now this was not simply a scientific colouring given to Religion, the mere freshening
of the theological air with natural facts and illustrations. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/drummond/natural law in the spiritual world/preface.htm

Natural Law in the Spiritual World
... most able and interesting books on the relations which exist between natural science
and ... is one of the most impressive and suggestive books on religion that we ...
/.../drummond/natural law in the spiritual world/natural law in the spiritual.htm

The Recall to Religion in the Hymns of Charles Wesley
... There is little touch of Natural Religion' in Wesley. Do not misunderstand
me. I do not charge Watts with Deism and Natural Religion. ...
/.../manning/the hymns of wesley and watts five papers/the recall to religion in.htm

Preface.
... His Analogy of Religion, Natural and Revealed, to the Constitution and Course of
Nature"a book for which I entertain the most profound respect"is based on ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/westminster sermons/preface.htm

Is religion opium for the masses? | GotQuestions.org

Is religion the cause of most wars? | GotQuestions.org

Why should I believe in organized religion? | GotQuestions.org

Religion: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus