Topical Encyclopedia In biblical terminology, the term "heathen" is often used to describe nations or individuals who do not worship the God of Israel and are outside the covenant community. The concept of ignorance among the heathen is a recurring theme in Scripture, highlighting their lack of knowledge of the true God and His laws.Old Testament Context In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word often translated as "heathen" is "goyim," which generally refers to the nations outside of Israel. These nations were frequently characterized by their idolatry and ignorance of God's commandments. Psalm 79:6 implores, "Pour out Your wrath on the nations that do not acknowledge You, on the kingdoms that do not call on Your name." This verse underscores the idea that the heathen are ignorant of God, not acknowledging Him or His sovereignty. The ignorance of the heathen is also evident in their practices and beliefs, which are often in direct opposition to the laws given to Israel. In Deuteronomy 18:9-12 , the Israelites are warned, "When you enter the land that the LORD your God is giving you, do not learn to imitate the detestable ways of the nations there." The passage goes on to list practices such as child sacrifice and divination, which are abominations to the Lord, highlighting the moral and spiritual ignorance of the heathen. New Testament Context In the New Testament, the Greek word "ethnos" is used similarly to describe the Gentiles or non-Jewish peoples. The Apostle Paul addresses the ignorance of the heathen in several of his epistles. In Acts 17:30 , Paul declares to the Athenians, "Although God overlooked the ignorance of earlier times, He now commands all people everywhere to repent." Here, ignorance is associated with a lack of knowledge about the true God and His call to repentance. Paul further elaborates on this theme in Ephesians 4:17-18 , where he writes, "So I tell you this, and testify to it in the Lord: You must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardness of their hearts." This passage highlights the spiritual blindness and separation from God that results from ignorance. Theological Implications From a theological perspective, the ignorance of the heathen is not merely an intellectual deficiency but a spiritual condition. It is often linked to idolatry, moral corruption, and a rejection of divine revelation. Romans 1:21-23 describes this condition: "For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images of mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles." The ignorance of the heathen is thus seen as a willful rejection of God's truth, resulting in spiritual darkness and alienation from God. However, the New Testament also presents the hope of redemption and enlightenment through the Gospel. In Colossians 1:13-14 , Paul writes, "He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." This redemption is available to all, including the heathen, through faith in Jesus Christ. Torrey's Topical Textbook 1 Corinthians 1:21For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. Torrey's Topical Textbook Ephesians 4:18 Library What Say You, O Ignorant Ones, for whom we Might Well Weep and be ... What, Then, are we Alone Ignorant? do we Alone not Know who is the ... The Hatred Felt by the Heathen against the Christians is Unjust ... The Seven Books of Arnobius Against the Heathen Josiah, a Pattern for the Ignorant. Of Heathen Repentance. And Yet, that we May not be as Ignorant when we Leave You as ... But Why do I Speak of These Trifles? what Man is There who is ... Valentinus and his Followers Derived the Principles of their ... Acts 26:24-29. Portraits. Resources What is the Lord's prayer and should we pray it? | GotQuestions.orgShould a Christian wear a purity ring? | GotQuestions.org Why is sexual purity so important? | GotQuestions.org Heathen: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Heathen: Divine Revelations Given to Abimelech Heathen: Divine Revelations Given to Balaam Heathen: Divine Revelations Given to Belshazzar Heathen: Divine Revelations Given to Cornelius Heathen: Divine Revelations Given to Cyrus Heathen: Divine Revelations Given to Nebuchadnezzar Heathen: Divine Revelations Given to Pharaoh Heathen: Divine Revelations Given to The Centurion at Capernaum Heathen: Divine Revelations Given to The Magi (Wise Men from the East) Heathen: Excluded from the Temple Heathen: Nebuchadnezzar, After his Restoration Heathen: The Centurion at Caesarea Heathen: The Centurion at Capernaum Heathen: The Magi (The Wise Men from the East) Heathen: Their Land Given to Israel The Heathen are Without God and Christ The Heathen: Baptism to be Administered To The Heathen: Cautions Against Imitating The Heathen: Conversion of, Acceptable to God The Heathen: Danger of Intercourse With The Heathen: Employed to Chastise the Church The Heathen: Evil of Imitating The Heathen: God: Brings to Nought the Counsels of The Heathen: God: Will be Exalted Among The Heathen: God: Will Finally Judge The Heathen: Have: Evidence of the Goodness of God The Heathen: Have: Evidence of the Power of God The Heathen: Have: The Testimony of Conscience The Heathen: Necessity for Preaching To The Heathen: Praise God for Success of the Gospel Among The Heathen: Salvation of, Foretold The Heathen: Salvation Provided For The Heathen: Scoffing at Saints The Heathen: Strangers to the Covenant of Promise The Heathen: The Church Shall be Avenged of The Heathen: The Glory of God to be Declared Among The Heathen: The Gospel Received By The Heathen: The Gospel to be Preached To The Heathen: The Holy Spirit Poured out Upon The Heathen: Worshippers of the Devil Related Terms The-not-beloved (1 Occurrence) Kir'iath-je'arim (18 Occurrences) Kirjathjearim (17 Occurrences) Vine-dressers (18 Occurrences) Kirjath-jearim (17 Occurrences) Kibroth-hattaavah (5 Occurrences) |
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