Romans 2:14 and 15 says we know right from wrong. Is this view correct?

[AgnosticBoy]

Some Christians say that everyone knows deep down that God exists, and they know right from wrong. I want to focus on the latter.

Romans 2:14,15 (NIV)
14 (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. 15 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.)

I actually like the way the Catholics explain the laws of God since they divide them into categories, like divine law and natural law. Here's one Catholic perspective:

In his letter to the Romans, St. Paul describes Gentiles who do not have the law yet who “do by nature what the law requires,” saying that they prove that “what the law requires is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness and their conflicting thoughts accuse or perhaps excuse them” before God (Rom. 2:14-16).

This “law written on their hearts” is what theologians mean by natural law. St. Thomas Aquinas talks about it as man’s rational participation in the eternal law. What he means is that God’s universe is an orderly, rational one, and we are rational creatures. Thus, there’s a lot we’re able to rationally discern about what we should and shouldn’t do. Those who have never heard of the Ten Commandments already know that it’s wrong to murder—even if they do it anyway, or even if they rationalize a certain type of murder as not really murder.

Source: https://www.catholic.com/magazine/print-edition/natural-law

For Discussion:
1. What's your view on Romans 2:14 and 15? Do you agree with it? Disagree?
2. Do you agree with the Catholic perspective?

 

[Scooter]

I believe God has instilled into every human a framework for right and wrong. Every person knows it is wrong to lie. Every person knows it is wrong to steal. Every person knows it is wrong to murder the innocent. We could call these laws of nature. However, knowing the wrongs of humanity does not keep many from violating these laws. That is why consequences must be attached to laws. For instance a law that says "You shall not steal" is useless unless we attach a punishment for stealing. So even though I am not Catholic, I would agree with their assessment.

 

[AgnosticBoy]

@Scooter

Yes, when a person gets to a certain age and is able to think reasonably, I can say that all or most can figure out that stealing, lying, and killing is wrong. I think they can figure out that this is wrong by simply seeing the consequences and since most sane people would not want these acts done to them. However, I think this only applies to some very basic rules. It becomes less clear when it comes to acts involving sex, marriage (is divorce allowed?), abortion, etc.

And there the problem starts. Going by the "law written on your heart" is very limited, and not enough to live on and probably not enough to point to God. Although, it is fair to at least ask where the basic rules that most can agree on comes from and if they count as being objective rules. For now, I'd say they likely are objective.