Opportunity in the Midst of Idolatry – The Unknown God of Mars Hill • Paul & Pagan Practices, Jesus

Today’s Bible teaching from Founded in Truth Fellowship, potentially led by Matthew Vander Els, delves into the Apostle Paul’s impactful encounter in Athens, as recorded in Acts chapter 17. This passage offers profound insights into how believers can engage with diverse cultures and worldviews, particularly in environments seemingly saturated with opposing beliefs and practices. The central theme revolves around recognizing opportunities for connection and communication even amidst stark differences, as exemplified by Paul’s approach to the philosophical and idolatrous society of Athens.

The teaching begins by setting the stage in Athens, a city renowned for its intellectual pursuits and its deep-rooted engagement with philosophy. The Athenians were characterized as individuals who loved to discuss new ideas, dissect concepts, and engage in critical thinking, much like the scientists and philosophers of their time. This intellectual climate was fueled by a vibrant Greek philosophical tradition that had significantly influenced the way people viewed the world, emphasizing knowledge, critical discussion, and the pursuit of understanding through debate. Teachers of wisdom were held in high esteem, and schools were established, fostering a culture of learning and discipleship. This Greek Hellenization had even permeated Jewish culture to some extent, influencing language and pedagogical methods.

However, alongside this intellectualism, Athens was also overwhelmingly characterized by idolatry. Statues and idols of various Greek gods lined the city, with one historical account suggesting tens of thousands of them in a relatively small area. This pervasive idolatry deeply troubled Paul upon his arrival. He was distressed by the extent to which the credit for creation and life was being attributed to a multitude of gods, rather than the one true God he knew. Despite his discomfort and his strong monotheistic background as an Orthodox Jewish man, Paul recognized a greater priority than his personal feelings.

Instead of condemning the Athenians outright, Paul adopted a strategic and empathetic approach. He sought common ground with his audience, engaging them on their own terms. He even went so far as to reference pagan philosophers, demonstrating a willingness to connect with their existing intellectual framework. The teaching highlights that even the Word of God contains references to pagan wisdom, citing Proverbs 1 as a potential example of a pagan king’s sayings being included. This illustrates the principle of finding relatable points of contact, even with those holding different beliefs.

Paul’s actions in Athens centered around his visit to the Areopagus, where he encountered a panel of Athenian elite. Notably, he observed an altar dedicated “to an unknown God.” Recognizing the significance of this inscription, Paul used it as a bridge to introduce the God he proclaimed. He acknowledged their religious inclinations and their apparent search for something beyond their known deities. Instead of dismissing their worship as entirely misguided, he validated their impulse to worship, suggesting that it stemmed from a deep-seated human yearning.

Paul’s message to the Athenians focused on the nature of the one true God – the creator of the world and everything in it. He emphasized God’s transcendence, stating that He does not dwell in temples made by human hands and does not need to be served by humans, but rather He is the giver of life and everything else. Paul highlighted that God’s plan has always been for humanity to seek Him, even if they are currently groping in the darkness of unknowing. He affirmed that God is not far from each one of us.

The teaching emphasizes that Paul did not immediately introduce Jesus by name, recognizing that it might not be beneficial at that stage of their understanding. Instead, he focused on establishing the foundation of one Creator God who is near to them and whom they are unknowingly seeking. He spoke of a future day of judgment in righteousness, administered by a man appointed by God, whose resurrection from the dead served as proof. This message, while containing a warning, is also presented as an invitation to embrace true justice and peace. Paul’s assertion that the Athenians were also God’s offspring aimed to bridge the gap between them and to highlight their inherent connection to the divine.

The speaker reflects on the tendency of believers to label others as “pagans” or “sinners” and contrasts this with Paul’s approach of seeing them as fellow human beings on a journey, searching for peace, contentment, love, mercy, grace, justice, and righteousness. The teaching stresses the importance of empathy and understanding in engaging with others, suggesting that closer interaction reveals our shared humanity and makes it harder to harbor hatred or dismissiveness.

The fear that some Christians have towards critical thinkers is addressed, with a call to instead encourage critical thinking alongside empathy. The belief is expressed that through genuine inquiry, individuals might discover profound truths within the biblical narrative. Paul’s willingness to engage with the critical minds of Athens serves as an example of not being intimidated by intellectual questioning.

The story of Hypatia, a brilliant philosopher from the 4th and 5th centuries AD, is introduced as a historical illustration of a respected intellectual figure who attracted students from diverse religious backgrounds. Despite being considered pagan and not worshipping specific gods, her philosophical insights and her fostering of a nonpartisan learning environment allowed Jewish and Christian students to learn from her and see God’s creation in a broader light. However, her tragic death at the hands of radicalized monks during a time of religious and political turmoil serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of intolerance and the failure to see the humanity in those with differing beliefs.

The teaching concludes with a powerful call to emulate Paul’s boldness, wisdom, critical thinking, empathy, humility, and willingness to sacrifice comfort for the sake of others. It emphasizes the importance of displaying the fruits of the Spirit – love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control – as evidence of having found what others are searching for. The world is watching believers to see if they truly embody a new kind of humanity marked by these qualities. The message encourages believers to see opportunities for connection rather than division and to boldly proclaim the good news of King Yeshua.

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Application for Everyday Life

• Practice Empathy: Seek to understand the perspectives and journeys of those with different beliefs. Recognize their inherent humanity and their potential yearning for deeper meaning and peace.
• Find Common Ground: Look for shared values, experiences, or questions when engaging in conversations with others. Identify points of connection that can serve as a bridge for meaningful dialogue.
• Be Bold but Wise: Share your faith with courage, but also with discernment and sensitivity to your audience. Adapt your approach to meet people where they are in their understanding.
• Embrace Critical Thinking: Encourage questioning and intellectual exploration, both in yourself and in others. Trust that truth can withstand scrutiny and that genuine inquiry can lead to deeper understanding.
• Display the Fruits of the Spirit: Let your life be characterized by love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These qualities can be powerful testimonies to the transformative power of faith.
• See Opportunity in Differences: Instead of being intimidated or judgmental towards those with different worldviews, see their perspectives as opportunities to share the hope and truth you have found.
• Prioritize People Over Labels: Avoid reducing individuals to simplistic labels or stereotypes. Recognize the complexity of human experience and engage with each person as an individual.
• Be Persistent and Forbearing: Understand that spiritual journeys take time and that not everyone will immediately embrace your beliefs. Show patience and persistence in your interactions.