Acts 17:16-34
If someone made a statue of you, what pose would be most appropriate? What inscription?
#God #People #Time #Place #Obedient faith #Sin #Key Idea
Paul in Athens
16Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols. 17So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there. 18Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also conversed with him. And some said, “What does this babbler wish to say?” Others said, “He seems to be a preacher of
foreign divinities”—because he was preaching Jesus and the
resurrection. 19And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, “May we know what this new
teaching is that you are presenting? 20For you bring some strange things to our ears. We wish to know therefore what these
things mean.” 21Now all the Athenians and the
foreigners who lived there would spend their time in nothing
except telling or hearing something new.
Paul
Addresses the Areopagus
22So Paul, standing in the
midst of the Areopagus, said: “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. 23For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this
inscription: ‘To the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as
unknown, this I proclaim to you. 24The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, 25nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. 26And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, 27that they should seek God, and perhaps
feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, 28for
“‘In him we live and move and have our being’; as even some of your own poets have said, “‘For we are indeed his
offspring.’
29Being then God’s offspring, we ought
not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver
or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man. 30The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, 31because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world
in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”
32Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead,
some mocked. But others
said, “We will hear you again about this.” 33So Paul went out from their midst. 34But some men joined him and believed,
among whom also were Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named
Damaris and others with them.
- God is ... What do we learn about God in this passage?
- We are ... What do we learn about people in this passage?
- To be noticed by the Greek philosophers of Athens, how extensive was Paul's activity?
- What previous understanding of Christianity did these philosophers have?
- The Stoics believed in pantheism while the Epicureans had little or no belief in God. What does Paul emphasize about God (w. 23-30)? How does Paul use their own culture and ideas to help them see the weaknesses in the way they relate to deity?
- How is this sermon unlike the one to Jews in Acts 13:16-41? Is not using Scripture here a strength or a weakness? Why? How are the sermons alike in terms of what they teach about Jesus?
- How does the response in Athens in Acts 17:21, 32-34 compare with Berea in Acts 17:12 and Thessalonica in Acts 17:4?
- I will ... What has the Holy Spirit revealed to us in this passage? How can I apply it to my life this week?
- What distresses you spiritually about the area in which you live? What specific needs do you see? What do you feel God is calling you to do about it?
- Whom do you know who has very little, or no background, in the Gospel? Could you share the Gospel with someone without quoting Bible verses? Why or why not?
- Paul uses idols and Greek poetry as points of contact with these people. What could you use as a point of contact with people today in your efforts to relate the Gospel?
- You can ... Who do you know who needs to hear this? Feel free to share with others by social media links at the bottom of this.
SEARCHING FOR GOD
No doubt, you have received a sweepstakes notice at some time from American Family Publishers. You know how it works. You look over their magazine bargains -- and the chance to buy a few for your office or waiting room. In return, they give you the opportunity to win large amounts of money.
In 1997, their mailing list included the Bushnell Assembly of God in Bushnell, Florida. The computer somehow twisted the name of the church and a sweepstakes notice addressed to "God of Bushnell" was sent to the church address.
The letter read, "Dear God, We're searching for you. You've been positively identified as our $11,000,000 mystery millionaire!"
The letter went on to say, "What an incredible fortune there would be for God! Imagine the looks you'd get from neighbors. But don't just sit there, God, come forward now and claim your prize!"
Wouldn't it be wonderful if they truly were searching for God? If they sensed what Pascal called a "God-shaped void" in their lives and realized their need to come to know God and to understand what God could do for them? If they understood that the "prize" God offers is so much greater than the prize they were offering?
The good news is that God is not hiding and that those who truly are searching for him can find him.
"From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. 'For in him we live and move and have our being.'" (Acts 17:26-28a, NIV)
It is humorous that someone would be searching for God in order to give him 11 million dollars. He owns the "cattle on a thousand hills" (Psa. 50:10) and needs nothing. But he has blessings beyond measure for those who would seek him out. May you be counted among those who "reach out for him and find him."
Have a great day!
Alan Smith
Boone Church of Christ
Boone, NC
www.TFTD-online.com
===================
NOT FAR FROM EACH OF US
The following joke is old and has been around quite a bit, but I have taken the liberty of adapting it to make it more accurate. :-)
A man decided to write a book about churches around the country. He started by flying to San Francisco, and started working east from there. He went to a very large church and began taking photographs when he spotted a golden telephone on a wall. He was intrigued with a sign which read, "$10,000 a minute."
Seeking out the minister, he asked about the phone and the sign. The minister explained that this golden phone was, in fact, a direct line to Heaven and if he paid the price he could talk directly to God. The author thanked the minister and continued on his way.
As he continued to visit churches in Seattle, Austin, Minneapolis, Chicago, Milwaukee, and around the United States, he found more phones with the same sign, and the same answer from each minister.
Finally, he arrived in the mountains of North Carolina. Upon entering a church, behold, he saw the usual golden telephone. But this time, the sign read, "Calls: 25 cents." Fascinated, he requested to talk to the minister. "Sir, I have been in cities all across the country and in each church I have found this golden telephone and have been told it is a direct line to Heaven and that I could talk to God, but, in the other churches the cost was $10,000 a minute. Your sign reads 25 cents a call. Why?"
The minister, smiling benignly, replied, "Sir, you're in the Appalachian Mountains now, and it's a local call."
I have to confess there have been times when I have driven on the Blue Ridge Parkway, gazed at the beautiful mountains covered with fall foliage and thought, "This is where God is." The truth is, though, for those who seek God, "He is not far from each one of us." (Acts 17:27).
One of the great truths that Emmanuel ("God with us") made known to us when he came to this earth is that God is near us. He cares about us, and his ears are open to our prayers. For all of His children, approaching the throne of grace is a "local call."
"Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us." (1 John 5:14)
Feeling that God is far away? Be reminded today that it's just a local call (from wherever you live). Not only that, but the God of glory sits waiting anxiously by the phone waiting for your call, just as eagerly as you awaited a call from your boyfriend or girlfriend while you were dating. So what are you waiting for? Pick up the phone! There's no charge.
Have a great day!
Alan Smith
Boone Church of Christ
Boone, NC
www.TFTD-online.com
===================
==================
That They Should Seek God #311 - December 15, 2002
There are two big questions concerning life. First, "Why are we here?" And second, "What happens to us when we die?"
The Bible gives us some answers. The Bible tells us that people like you and me were created "that they should seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him" (Acts 17:27). Yes, one purpose for our existence is to seek for God. But there is a problem. The Bible paints a picture here of people groping around in the dark. They are like people who get up in the middle of the night and are disoriented. They feel along the wall in the dark to find the light switch. But the real darkness in which people are groping is the darkness of sin. And as a result, people do not seek God the way they should. As the Bible says, "There is none righteous, not even one, there is none who understands, there is none who seeks for God" (Romans 3:10-11). The point is this, if people are not likely to seek after God, they are not likely to find Him. And two things happen. First, life has no ultimate meaning. This is true because people are missing God's purpose for them. You see, when you find God and his purpose for you, you have a calling in life. And this brings real meaning, ultimate meaning, to existence. But a second thing happens if you do not find God. If you do not find God now, in this life, you will be separated from Him in the life to come. And when you die, your destination will be "the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels" (Matthew 25:41). And so I challenge you to, "Seek the Lord while He may be found" (Isaiah 55:6).
Contributed by Dr. Dennis J. Prutow
djprutow@juno.com
Voice message and free tapes: 1-800-777-0389 [USA]
===================
"There is One True God and We Can Know Him"
(Gen. 1:1, John 17:3, Acts 17:16-34)
Bob Russell
January 4/5, 2003
Introduction:
Does the politically correct philosophy of our day disturb you? To me the popular liberal propaganda is sometimes so inconsistent it’s absurd. There are some ideas that are being proposed today in the name of tolerance, diversity, and political correctness that are absurd untruths. Some examples: One religion is just as good as another. A woman has the right to choose to kill her unborn baby. Homosexuality is an acceptable lifestyle; opposing it is bigotry. Evolution is a scientific fact; creation is an outdated religious myth. All truth is relative; the most important virtue is tolerance. Any sexual expression between two consenting adults is healthy. There is no innate emotional difference between men and women. Racial prejudice is an epidemic which can only be cured by government intervention.. The environment is sacred and animals are as important as humans. Separation of church and state means no religious references should be permitted in the public arena. These ideas are being repeated so often, so effectively that people have come to accept them as true regardless of how utterly preposterous they may be. Isaiah 5:20-21 NIV says, "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness…Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight." That describes our situation today - in our intellectual pride, we have rejected God’s truth, reversed good and evil, and the result is a society that is coming unraveled. That is why I am beginning a series of messages today on Biblically Correct - Politically Incorrect.
I. Today there are two dominant worldviews.
a. The biblical worldview.
b. The secular worldview.
i. The biblical worldview begins with a belief in God; the secular worldview begins with a belief in, not atheism, but agnosticism.
ii. The biblical worldview believes that God created the universe and each of us individually; the secular worldview teaches that we are a product of millions of years of evolution.
iii. The Christian believes that God established absolute standards for men to live by; the secular worldview is that there are no absolutes.
iv. The biblical worldview says that man’s basic nature is sinful; the secular worldview is that people are basically good.
v. The biblical worldview is that God came to visit the earth in the form of Jesus Christ, His Son; the secular worldview is that Jesus was a good teacher, founder of one of the worlds major religions, but His word is not superior to any other religious leader.
vi. The Christian worldview is that through Jesus Christ there is hope of life after death for us; the secular worldview is that we cannot know what lies beyond the grave - death is a mystery, there is no assurance, there is no ultimate meaning, there is no real hope, and life ends in despair.
II. There are four needed responses to political correctness.
a. First, Be Humble—accept God’s revealed Word as truth.
i. Some people don’t accept God’s truth because they love their sin and do not want to change or have to feel guilty.
ii. But, I am convinced the primary reason people reject God’s truth is intellectual pride.
1. If you say, "I believe God created us, He revealed Himself to us in Christ, that’s communicated to us accurately in the Bible, so there’s no room for boasting about your superior I.Q."
2. That makes you vulnerable to ridicule among the intellectuals of our day.
b. Secondly, Be courageous - speak the truth in love regardless of the response.
c. Thirdly, Be vigilant - guard the gate of your house for the sake of your children.
i. You are making a big mistake if you think your children share your values automatically because you take them to church once a week and set a good example.
ii. They are being inundated with the secular worldview everyday in their normal environment.
1. Parents, your children are getting a steady diet of politically correct doctrine from cartoons, music, classroom, and movies.
2. One hour of Sunday school and a brief Bible story before they go to bed each night is not enough to counter the constant barrage of propaganda they encounter.
iii. You have to be vigilant in screening their television watching, disciplining their entertainment, selecting their schools and their teachers.
d. Finally, be confident - God’s truth will prevail in the end.
i. Men can suppress the truth, laugh at the truth, ignore the truth, and exchange the truth of God for a lie.
ii. But do not get discouraged, truth always survives and triumphs in the end.
Conclusion:
Look again at the two worldviews. One begins and ends with the hope of heaven; the other begins and ends with a question mark. Which is your belief? Secularists will say, "It’s arrogant of you to say you have the truth and to think your way is superior." I do think Jesus’ way is superior in evidence and in results. The hope of heaven is far superior than "I don’t know." But it is not arrogant to say, "I know God." We know the way because God revealed it to us. We can know God not because we are smarter or better than anyone else, but because God revealed Himself to us in person through Jesus Christ. Jeremiah 29:13 NIV says, "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart!"
===================
Jamie Beller 12:16pm Sep 2
Do You Know The God You Worship?
Thesis: Acceptable worship to God requires not just knowing about God but knowing God.
Text: Acts 17:22-31
I. A Recognition--vv. 22-24 (the Problem of men, the Person of God, and the Power of God)
II. A Relationship--vv. 27-29 (we are His offspring--See Gen. 1:26. by Creation, and by redemption--1 John 3:1).
III. A Response--vv. 30-31 (to the reality of Judgment, to the Resurrection of Christ).
We will never know the joy of worship if we never know the God we worship. We will never know the God we worship if we never recognize the seriousness of salvation that separates us, and the joy of salvation that reconciles us.
=====================
Mark N. Posey 9:33am Jun 17
SERMON: The Judgment Day!
TEXT: Acts 17:31
1. A day of Reckoning - will it be reward or remorse? Cf. 2 Cor. 5:10.
2. A day of Rest - from a wicked world and a sinful environment. Cf. Rev. 21:3-5.
3. A day of Reunion - never a family reunion like that one will be. Cf. 1 Thess. 4:17.
4. A day of Revelation - forgiven sins forgotten, secret sins exposed - Eccl. 12:14.
Conclusion: Life is to prepare for eternity. Heaven is just too precious to miss!
*adapted from Johnny Ramsey
=====================
ATHENS
1.
Athens was a powerful city-state of
Ancient Greece which derived its name from its patron goddess Athena, the Greek
goddess of war. It was founded by
Theseus.
2.
Its first inhabitants appeared to
have lived on the acropolis, the 512' hill with access to water and easily
defensible.
3.
Its best years were between 443 and
429 B.C. It was then ruled by democracy
under Pericles. It flourished in art,
drama, literature, architecture, philosophy, rhetoric, ethics and history. It represented the pinnacle of humanism of
ancient times.
4.
The city was in decline in Paul's
day. It's population was perhaps as few
as 10,000–15,000. Today Athens boasts
several million citizens.
5.
Athens was the educational center of
the first century. The two other
greatest universities were found in Alexandria and Tarsus. It was the home of Socrates, Plato,
Aristotle, Aristophanes, Epicurus, and Zeno.
6.
Attica is a dry region, but there is
sufficient rainfall to produce olive groves and vineyards which supply the
major exports.
7.
The port of Athens, and the basis of
her navy, was located five miles S.W. of the city at Piraeus. It was joined to the city by a corridor 250
ft. wide with walls on each side about 50 feet high. This corridor was lined with idols, which the
ancient historian, Pausanias, says were "altars to gods called
unknown." This aligns with Paul's
statement of Acts 17:23 about an altar to "an unknown god" [note the
singular].
8.
The agora was the center of the
educational, religious, commercial and political life of the city. Excavations have revealed its structures,
which substantially agree with the description of Pausanias. They were as follows:
a.
On the East: Stoa (porch) of Attalos
& Odeion—Music Hall.
b.
On the South: Two parallel stoas.
c.
On the West: The Tholos was the meeting place of the
executive committees of the 500 member Athenian Council. Bouleuterion was the meeting place of the general council. The Metroon was the sanctuary of the Mother
of all gods. The Temple of Apollo
Patroos. The Stoa of Zeus
Eleutherios.
d.
The Temple of Ares was near the
middle of the agora in the open area.
9.
The Areopagus, directly south of the
agora was the court of the day. Its
Roman name was Mars Hill. It is 377' of
solid rock to the west of the acropolis.
10.
The Acropolis, to the S.E. of the
agora stood atop a prominent hill 512'.
a.
Its main attraction was the
magnificent Parthenon. It had a gold and ivory statue of Athena which stood 20'
high. It is 238' x 111'. The outer colonnade had 46 columns, 34' high. At their base are depicted various
mythological scenes. It was at its peak
when Paul saw it but was still 400 years old.
b.
On the south side stood the was the
small temple of Wingless Victory.
c.
The Erechteheion was on the N. side
of the hill, erected in honor of Erechtheus, supposedly the first king of
Athens and a semi-divine hero.
d.
The Prytaneion, the "town
hall," was on the northern slope of the hill and was the keeper of the
sacred fire of the city.
e.
Further north was the forum, built
by gifts from the Caesars, Julius and Augustus.
f.
S.E. of the Acropolis was the
largest temple in all Greece. It was the
temple of Olympian Zeus, known as the Olympeion. When Paul was there it was yet unfinished.
=======================
STOICS AND EPICUREANS
By
Mark Moore & Mark Scott
III.
Epicureans
1.
Background: These philosophers followed the teachings of
Epicurus, 341–270 B.C. of the Athenian colony of Samos. He taught his students in his garden, and
they had to learn their doctrines by heart.
He had more devoted followers and bitter enemies than any of the early
philosophers. No other figure of
importance arose from his school, although some of the writings of Lucretius
(94–55 B.C.) still survive.
2.
Major Beliefs:
d.
Pleasure is the highest end of
living (this would include good pleasure, such as generosity, patriotism, etc.
and not just hedonistic pleasure). Epicurus, "By pleasure we mean the
absence of pain in the body and of trouble in the soul."
e.
Matter is eternal—this world was not
created by deity. "Nothing can ever
be created by divine power out of nothing."
f.
Death is final—thus no hope. They denied the immortality of the soul. In addition, they denied any future
retribution—judgment. Lucretius,
"If anyone thinks that nothing can be known, he does not know whether even
this can be known, since he admits that he knows nothing."
g.
Acquiring friends is vital—perhaps
this desire is due to the despair caused by #3.
h.
Denied the providential control over
human affairs. We have freewill. "Gods might exist but they are too
removed from us."
i.
Sought to debunk traditional
religion with its oracles, divination, magic, etc. "He saw religion as a source of fear;
therefore the banishing of the gods brought peace and the possibility of a good
life" (Ferguson, Backgrounds of Early Christianity, p. 298).
j.
Perception is the basis of all
reason—a pure empirical epistemology.
3.
This is not to be misunderstood with
modern Hedonism.
k.
Epicurus would forego pleasure which
would lead to further pain. For
instance, he would avoid getting drunk because of the hangover the next day.
l.
He places pleasure of the soul/mind
above that of the body. In his analysis
there was kinetic (active) and static pleasure, both of which are evaluated by
the following three criteria: (1)
intensity, (2) duration, and (3) purity (its absence of pain).
4.
Diogenes (c. A.D. 200) aptly summed up
Epicureanism: "Nothing to fear in
God; Nothing to feel in Death; Good [pleasure] can be attained; Evil [pain] can
be endured."
IV.
Stoics
1.
Background—This philosophy came from
Zeno of Cyprus (335–263 B.C.) who died at the age of 96. He regularly held his classes in the porches
of the market place, called STOA, specifically the Stoa Poikile—the painted
porch—thus came the name "Stoics."
[He was the first to scientifically study Greek grammar and vocabulary.]
2.
Famous Stoics:
m.Aratus
of Soli (c. 315–240 B.C.) was a stoic quoted by Paul in Acts 17:28, from the
opening lines of Phaenomena, which, along with Homer was read by all Greek
students—it dealt with the phenomenon of seasons and astronomy, so vital to
both agriculture and travel.
n.Brutus, the man who killed Julius
Caesar. Shakespeare does an interesting
character study of this man.
o.Stoicism was well known in
Tarsus. At least six famous stoics came
from Tarsus.
p.Seneca
(c. 1–65 A.D.), was a contemporary of Saul. He was from the equestrian order and the
brother of Gallio, proconsul of Achaia who is mentioned in Acts 18:12. He was the tutor of the young Nero, but
finally resigned in despair as Nero "went bad." "Seneca's life fell far short of his
exhortations to others: after heaping
slavish flattery on the living Claudius, he poisoned his memory with malicious
satire; if he did not connive at the crimes of Nero, he did not restrain them;
while preaching an indifference to material wealth he allowed himself to be
enriched while in office; his writings describe in detail moral impurities and
violence, so that whatever their author's practice the influence of some of his
writings would have stimulated baser instincts" (Ferguson, p. 290). Even so, his writings are closer to Christian
teachings than any other philosophy of the day.
Tertullian calls him "always our Seneca" (On the Soul,
20). See J. B. Lightfoot, "St.
Paul and Seneca" in Saint
Paul's Epistle to the Philippians (London 1913; repr. Grand Rapids, 1953),
270–333) for a comparison of the two.
Seneca was conservative, in that he proposed to teach young men to
worship in piety and not in superstitions.
He was also an annihilationist.
q.Epictetus (c. A.D. 55–135) was another notable stoic
of the first century whose writings are still extant.
r.Marcus
Aurelius (A.D. 121–180) was a stoic and an emperor
whose persecution of Christians was among the fiercest and most bloody. His Meditations are extant—a collection of
proverbial, miscellaneous musings.
3. Major Beliefs
s.The world was created by Zeus.
t.All things were governed by
fates—determinism.
u.Self-denial
contributes to the highest end in life.
There was a desire to suppress all passions. One was to show indifference to either
pleasure or pain and mastery over all lusts. In such indifference one found
contentment, thus self-control was a supreme virtue.
Basically, they were not happy
campers. They were the Pharisees of the
philosophers. Apathy made them loose
their sympathy.
v.The soul was not immortal but
existed until the destruction of the universe.
At that time it was either destroyed (some said), or absorbed into the
divine essence (others said).
w.Nothing is immaterial, even the
Gods (e.g. the Mormons).
x."The logos became another
word in the Stoic system for god, since it maintains order" (Ferguson, p.
284).
y.Stoics used an allegorical method
of interpretation.
z.Knowledge is empirically
gained—they believed in tabula rosa of the soul.
V. Relationship between Epicureans,
Stoics, & Christians
1.
Similarities between the Stoics and
Epicureans
a.
They were the two dominant
philosophical schools of the day.
b.
Both sought to liberate man from
fate. Epicureans, by denying the
validity of fate; Stoics, by not responding (at least externally and
emotionally) to the consequences of fate, either pleasurable or painful.
c.
Both sought to be self-sufficient
and unaffected by externals.
d.
Both had a primary emphasis on
ethics.
2.
Similarities between Epicureans and
Christians
a.
Both had a tight-knit community,
even using similar terminology.
b.
Both were accused of being
atheists.
c.
Both sought the pleasure of the soul
over the pleasure of the body.
3.
Similarities between Stoics and
Christians:
a.
Stoics used some of the same
terminology as Christians. For instance,
both talked of Logos, Spirit, conscience, virtue, self-sufficiency, freedom of
speech, reasonable service, etc.
"The biblical injunctions concerning the units of society (Eph.
5:21–6:9; Col. 3:18– 4:1; 1 Peter 2:13–3:7; etc.) in both form (the reference
to stations in society) and content (e.g., "it is fitting") show
Stoic influence.
b.
The similarities go deeper than
individual items to a general atmosphere:
i. humankind's persistent evil. ii. the need for self-examination.
iii. humanity's kinship with the divine.
iv. denial of
the world's values.
v.
emphasis on inner freedom from
external circumstances.
vi.
The Stoic natural theology,
transmitted via Hellenistic Judaism (cf. Wisdom of Solomon 13–14), influenced
Romans 1–2 and Acts 17" (Ferguson, p. 293).
4.
Differences between Stoics and
Christians: (These outweigh the similarities)
a.
To the Stoics, god was immanent, but
not personal. Stoics were pantheists,
not believing in a personal creation.
b.
Christians viewed the world as
purposeful with both a beginning and an end—the Stoics would own none of
this.
c.
Christianity appealed to the masses;
stoicism was for the elite. Stoicism talked about ethics from a philosophical
point of view, Christianity implemented ethics by connecting its injunctions
with a personal absolute Divine. Thus,
conscience in stoicism was not nearly as developed as it was in Christianity.
d.
Stoicism had not personal
immortality—the "divine spark" in each of us would be absorbed back
into the Whole.
e.
Christianity is optimistic and full
of joy. Stoics subjugated emotional
expression, including joy and hope.
f.
Christians were motivated and driven
by AGAPE; Stoics were motivated and driven by self-respect.
NOTE: Paul knows that false knowledge about God
leads to idolatry and bad ethics. Paul
fights them on their own turf by quoting their prophets. You can see their offspring today in
philosophy, psychology, New Age, evolutionary science, and secular humanism.
=============
Are You a
Stoic or an Epicurean?
By Mark Moore
Mark the statement you agree with
the most:
1.
____ Eat, drink and
be merry for tomorrow we die.
____ If you don't covet anything, you won't be sad if you lose it.
2.
____ The physical
world is most real.
____ The spiritual world is most real.
3.
____ Death is the
end of existence.
____ The soul is immortal.
4.
____ Human beings
have freewill, we control our own destinies.
____ What God ordains to be, will be — we can't change our destiny.
5.
____ Religion, for
the most part, is a bunch of superstitions, fear, and magic. ____ Traditional religion(s) reveal God.
6.
____ We know things
through physical senses (body)
____ We know things through revelation and reason/logic (mind).
7.
____ To be truly
happy in life we ought to party, hardy! ____ Self-denial
contributes to the highest end in life.
8.
____ Happiness is
found in friendships and pleasures.
____ Contentment is found in indifference — if you don't care you won't
be disappointed.
9.
____ We will be
happiest living in an authentic community.
____ We will be happiest being independent and self-reliant.
10.
____ Pleasures of
the soul outweigh pleasures of the body.
____ Pleasure and pain should be treated with equal indifference.
(The first statements are ideas of
the Epicureans, the second of the Stoics. Count the number of each you had and
record them below.)
Stoic ____ Epicurean ____
Read through Acts 17:22–31 and place
verse numbers by the above statements that Paul addresses in his sermon on Mars
Hill.
==============
Paul's Challenge to the Greek Thinkers on
Mars Hill
By
Terry Bowland
The Apostle Paul is making his
presentation of the God of the Bible, challenged five of the Greeks basic
presuppositions in his message in Acts 17:22–31.
1.
God is the Creator of the Universe (17:24): This is directly
opposed to the Naturalism of the Epicureans and the Panthesm of the Stoics.
2.
God is the Sustainer of Life (17:24): This is opposed to the
Monism of Greek thought. God is a God who gives to creation— not to himself.
3.
God is the Ruler of all the nations (17:26–28a): This
opposes the concept of the cyclical view of history. History has purpose—to
discover and to know the real living God.
4.
God is the Father of all human beings Greek superiority as
well as the whole concept of idolatry. If we are God's offspring, how can our
God be made of gold, silver and stone?
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