Presenting the Unknown God, Pt. 2

Athens: the university city of the world and the place Roman senators and wealthy foreigners sent their sons to study. It was a city distinguished by cultural and intellectual achievements. It had been home to the greatest philosophers of the world: Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Epicurus and others. The most venerable judicial court of ancient Greece was at one time based in this city under the title: “The Council of the Areopagus.”  The city of Athens was an extra-ordinary city of the world.

An unexpected and unusual visitor

One summer day, not by human plan, but by divine providence, this city received a visit from an extraordinary man of God, the apostle Paul. It was not unusual for people to visit Athens. Yet most visitors came to Athens to observe the wonder of its artistic and architectural achievements, and to listen to the greatest intellectuals debate ideas and philosophies. The apostle, however, was not impressed with any of these things when he arrived in Athens. He saw something that was deeply disturbing. “While Paul was waiting… in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols (v. 16).

In Isaiah 42:8, God said, “I am the Lord, that is my name! I will not give my glory to another or my praise to idols.” This is the reason behind Paul’s response (“He was greatly distressed” N.I.V.). When the apostle saw this city full of idols, he was not taken up with the artistic beauty of the false gods. He was provoked to anger. And like the apostle, I suggest that we should be “provoked within” or “greatly distressed” when we see people giving anyone or anything the glory and honor that belongs exclusively to God and to His Son the Lord Jesus Christ.

The zeal of God’s people

Does it deeply disturb you when you see how our culture has made systematic efforts to eclipse the knowledge of the true God and to rob him of His glory? Let me put it this way, since God the Father has exalted Jesus to the highest place of honor and given him the name above all names, does it bother you that your neighbor, co-worker, fellow student, or family member does not worship Jesus Christ?  (Eph. 1:19-21; Phil. 2:9; Col. 1:18; I Pet. 3:22; Heb. 2:8).

“This is the zeal of the people of God,” wrote John Stott, “that without exception every knee and every tongue should acknowledge the supreme honor given to Jesus.”

This zeal for Christ integrates the worship and witness of the church. How can we worship Christ and not mind that others do not? Our worship of Christ impels us to witness to Christ, in order that others may come and worship him too.

The primary motive for mission

The primary motive for mission is not obedience to the Great Commission, nor is it love for the oppressed, lonely, lost and perishing. Important as both incentives are, zeal or jealously for the glory of Christ is the greater motive. “It was ‘for his name’s sake’, in order that it might receive the honor which it deserved, that the first missionaries went out. The same passionate longing should motivate us”  (The Contemporary Christians, John R.W. Stott, pp. 367-68).

It was the apostle’s commitment to the glory of Christ that stirred his spirit and provoked him when he saw a city full of false gods. How could he possibly remain indifferent to the prevailing idolatry?But he did not stop with a negative reaction to idolatry. He did not wring his hands in disgust and view the Athenians as hopeless pagans. No. He saw an opportunity to bear witness to the good news about what God did through Jesus Christ. He seized the opportunity to reveal to them the God they were so obviously searching for.

It was strikingly incredulous that a center of intellectual pursuit was absorbed with the foolishness of idolatry. Yet more disconcerting to the apostle was the way the idolatry eclipsed the knowledge and glory of the only true God. This led Paul to an unanticipated ministry in Athens. An extra ordinary man of God confronts an extra ordinary city of men.

Ministry and method in Athens

Paul immediately began a dual evangelistic ministry: “…he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there” (v. 17). It was a typical pattern for the apostle to bear witness to Christ in the synagogue and the market place –to the Jews and God-fearing gentiles and those who happened to be present, (see: Acts 17:1-3).  Paul’s custom was to bring the gospel first to the synagogue. But consider his method: Paul “reasoned with them” (see: 17:2, 17). This is the Greek word behind the English word “dialogue.”

“Dialogue implies a free and open exchange of ideas, perceptions, problems and options with a desire to arrive at an understanding of truth. Since it allows for people to really communicate where they are spiritually, socially, intellectually, emotionally, and behaviorally, we believe it encourages a more relevant kind of instruction” (John Stott, Romans). (See: I Peter 3:15).

This was Paul’s method. He did not shout bible verses or form a team to march around Athens seven times. He did not target the territorial demons of Athens and cast them out. He simply found people who were open to discuss the truths of the gospel and he presented Jesus to them. No doubt, Paul did present these truths passionately and persuasively. We can be certain that he was a master at dialogue and at using a strong apologetic evangelism. He was a man of action, ready to enter the arena of conflict between truth and error.

The synagogue and market place today

Paul spoke to Jews on the Sabbath and went to the agora (the market place) where people did business and gathered for casual conversation and exchange of ideas (See: verse 21). The apostle seized the opportunity to intelligently and to persuasively present Jesus and the resurrection to all who would listen. “Today the nearest equivalent to the synagogue is the church, the place where religious people gather.

There is still an important place for sharing the gospel with church-goers, God-fearing people on the fringe of the church, who may attend services only occasionally. The equivalent of the agora will vary in different parts of the world. It may be a park, city square or street corner, a shopping mall or market-place, a ‘pub’, neighborhood bar, café, or student cafeteria, wherever people meet when they are at leisure. There is a need for gifted evangelists who can make friends and gossip the gospel in such informal settings as these.” (John Stott, Romans).

Two-fold response to Paul’s witness

In Acts 17:18-20, we notice two responses to Paul’s witness for Christ:

1. Ridicule (v. 18)
2. Intrigue (vv.19-12)

An Eight point message — model for post-modern times

This led to a unique opportunity to present the gospel to the intellects of Athens (vv. 22-31). The apostle presented them with eight powerful points about the God they were searching for (The unknown God).

1. There is a God.
2. He created everything.
3. He rules everything.
4. He is not confined by you.
5. He is not enhanced by you.
6. You are dependent on Him.
7. He controls history and destiny.
8. All humans must answer to God.

Thought:

The answer will not help the man who has lost the question. We live in a culture that has lost the question because it has, in many ways, eclipsed the knowledge of the only true God. People are blinded to their need for salvation. They’ve lost connection with questions related to God, sin and judgment. While deeply disturbed by things the eclipse God’s knowledge and glory, let us be equally motivated to speak for Christ. Like Paul we must wisely seek points of connection for the gospel.

“God forbid that I should travel with anybody a quarter of an hour without speaking of Christ to him.” George Whitfield

Question:

“How can we worship Christ and not mind that others do not?”

Steve Cornell

See: Part 3