Are the Scriptures contradicting itself? How can Paul say that men would seek God (acts 17:27) while at the same time say there is none who seeks after God (romans 3:11)?
In regards to Acts 17, the reason Paul now mentions men perhaps seeking God as to find Him is because of past ignorance of who the one true God is but their ignorance as stated in the scriptures no longer remains (acts 17:30) since Christ appointed as judge by the Father has now been raised from the dead - so now all men are without excuse as to who the one true God is as Paul was attempting to explain to those in Anthens. And because of Christ resurrection as judge, it is now, that all men everywhere is commanded to repent because of this fact for judgement is certain to come. The seeking of God (vs 17) is in conjunction with all men now being commanded to repent (vs 30) because their remains no more ignorance regarding the one true God since Christ has now been raised as proof from the dead to be judge over all mankind. However, those who will have indeed repented, will have done so by seeking God by the Spirit that is working in them. This is why Paul can say in Romans 3:11 without it being a contradiction of scripture that there are none who seek God because those who do not possess the ability or desire by the Spirit to repent will never seek God but remain stubborn of heart in there sin and evil doing in opposition to God. The scripture does not contradict itself regarding Acts 17:26-28 and Romans 3:11. The scriptures are not saying on one hand there is none that seeks after God (romans 3:11) and on the other hand they're are some who do (acts 17:27). In order for one to have the desire to obey and repent that person's heart must be changed (romans 2:5 & 29). It is the person with a new heart that seeks God and will inevitably repent and believe. It is only a new regenerated heart that has attained godly desires as to obey and repent; not the old stubborn uncircumcised heart bent toward evil and evil desires. The Spirit is at work within a person PRIOR to them repenting and believing for it is the Spirit alone that convicts of sin and gives understanding to what God has spoken. No one will ever repent and believe if they are not convicted of sin nor have understanding of what God has required of them FIRST by the Spirit (john 8:43 & 47, john 6:60 & 63).
In addition, prior to Christ being raised from the dead, God overlooked men's ignorance regarding who the one true God is. But it's not as though sinful man was not seeking God prior to Christ resurrection; however, now that the Father has given proof that there will be judgement concerning man's sin by raising His Son appointed as Judge from the dead - men are now without excuse as to be ignorant of the one true God who does not live in temples or is in need of anything as those in Anthens did. And now that there remains no more ignorance regarding who the One true God is - in sinful mans attempt to seek God as it was in Anthens; all men are commanded to repent of their sins because the true God has fixed a day of judgement for all men. The seeking of God Paul is referring to after Christ resurrection is in conjunction with sinful man's understanding of truth, acknowledgement of his sin, and genuine repentance according to God's command. This "seeking of God" is impossible without the Spirit's work beforehand giving one the desire to seek and the ability to understand and repent. Men indeed sought out God but it was done in ignorance. Sinful man did not nor neither can he understand because of his enslavement to the power and control of sin (romans 3:9) and.also stubborn darkened heart. Therefore, no man will ever seek God apart from the Spirit's initial internal work upon the sinful man's heart.
By Aaron Fisher
