20For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
21Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
I believe this is the knowledge of God,(from the visible creation the invisible God is visible) not the act of "knowing" your God.
22-32 implies they knew him, but denied him.....those that know the ordinances of God[Vs 32], know him quite well....
[SUP]22 [/SUP]Professing to be wise, they became fools, [SUP]23 [/SUP]and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures. [SUP]24 [/SUP]Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them. [SUP]25 [/SUP]For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
[SUP]26 [/SUP]For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, [SUP]27 [/SUP]and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error.
[SUP]28 [/SUP]And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, [SUP]29 [/SUP]being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice;
they are gossips, [SUP]30 [/SUP]slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, [SUP]31 [/SUP]without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; [SUP]32 [/SUP]and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them.
See the deep truth is that even the most hardened heart knows God.....but their choice is to deny him and them and the convincing of the Holy Spirit they need him and a savior....
I know a very hard core secular humanist and Atheist...we grew up as best friends...when I get him alone he admits there is a God...but because of hurt, offense and pain, he will not lower his pride to come to God...