“While Paul was waiting for them at Athens he was exasperated to see how the city was full of idols” Acts 17:16
Two days from now Carol and I join an eager group of pilgrims in Istanbul Turkey to visit (largely) the sites of the seven churches of the Revelation. I’ll talk more with you about that upon our return. But as I have prepared for this time, a few things stand out to me, and one of them is Paul’s time in Athens.
By the time Paul arrived in Athens, it was no longer the dominant political entity it had been but it was still the culture capital of the world. Visitors were impressed by its art, literature, sculpture and oratory. But Paul was not impressed at all – so many intelligent people and so many worthless idols – they were wandering in a spiritual morass. Their bad decisions on worship led to bad decisions everywhere else. Read the passage to see how deftly Paul spoke the gospel to these people.
There are parallels in modern Canadian culture. As we run from responsibility to God, we make pagan decisions: abortion, MAID, gender confusion, embrace of the evolutionary model and resulting survival of the fittest, this-world only focus, denial of absolute truth, materialism and pleasure as the ultimate good, self is king, truth is internal, etc. We are worshipping at shrines that do not satisfy the soul.
Interesting that Paul was not harsh with these people. He established common desire for God and went on to tell them who this God is, and as always, ended up with Jesus.
Does it disquiet you to ‘see the city full of idols?’ Do you sense compassion for so many lost people in this wonderful country of ours? It’s not enough for Christians to only go ‘deeper.’ We are also called to go ‘wider.’ We are placed in this culture at this time and place for a reason – to introduce Jesus the Master in a relevant way. What is your sphere of influence? How may the Spirit use you to bring the love of Christ to that sphere? Ask Him.
Pastor Leon Throness
