17:16-34
In the marketplace of Athens, a little group was having the usual at a table behind the bazaar of Proclus. "You know what's new?" Hermes asked. "I heard this little Jewish teacher near the Royal Colonnade where the Areopagus meets. Some heckler tried to give him a hard time, but he had the best of it."
Proclus cut in. "I know the one you mean. He comes every day. He's just a guttersparrow scavenging bits and scraps of phrases he's picked up in his wanderings, he kept talking about two new gods: Iesos and anastasia. It sound like a new cult from Judea."
We might enjoy this conversation about Paul's first visit to Athens but Luke's inspired account gives us facts ( Acts 17:-6-34). Paul at Athen!
The converted rabbi in the heart of Pagans culture!
Paul walked around fabled athens, home of philosphers and playwrights, sculptors and architects. Above him stood the parthenon, crowing the acropolis. Here was the work of Phidas dedicated to Athena, the patron goddess of the city. Yet Paul was not exhilarated. He was depressed. He saw a city full of idols. Everywhere along the streets were "herms," square columns displaying the scupted head of Hermes. Scores of other gods had altars where the devoted left their gifts.
Paul knew it would be days before Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia. Yet he could not take a vacation from apostleship. The Athenians were idolators. Even the meat at the butcher's in the marketplace had been offered to idols. But the market was also a meeting place. Men made business deals there. They argued about everything and listened to philosphers debating. The Stoics spoke of union with the divine, and about gaining the dignity of reason and detachment.
The Epicureans described pleasure as the highest good--- not pleasure in the hear of passion. But the cool pleasure of indifference, free from pain and disturbing desires and fears. Paul's message attracted curiousity among these savants.
In his address before the Areopagus, the noted Athenian council, Paul adapted his evangelism to a sophisticated Gentile audience. See how different are his words from his sermon in a Jewish synagogue. His introductory words model what every contemporary preacher needs. Paul did not insult his hearers, but disarned them. He had observed that they were very religious. His term, however, is not necessarily complimentary; it could mean "superstitious."
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