The Apostle Paul: The Culturally Savvy Pastor
Passages: Acts 15:36-41, Acts 17:15-34, 1 Corinthians 15:32, Exodus 20:3-4
Sermon Notes
Ps Rob described how Paul was culturally savvy.
Paul is on his second missionary journey (Acts 15:36-18:32); preaching the gospel in cities such as Antioch, Philippi, Thessalonica and Berea. He has endured intense persecution (flogging, imprisonment & riots) and yet he has marvelled at the supernatural move of God and the rapid growth of the First Century Church. When Paul finally arrives in the ancient city of Athens (c 51 A.D.) he knew the city was a shadow of her golden age that began in the 5th century B.C. but nonetheless Athens was a source of fascination and concern. Athens has been the centre of culture, philosophy and religion. Like Paul when we think of Athens we think of Alexander the Great, Socrates, Plato and Aristotle. Athens is the cradle of western civilization and democracy.
Keep in mind that Paul is currently in Athens alone, awaiting his missionary partners Silas and Timothy to join him (17:15-16). What does Paul do? Does he book himself at the Holiday Inn or local backpackers? Does he buy souvenirs for his family and friends? Paul isn’t a tourist – he’s a missionary.
1. Finger on the pulse
While Paul was waiting for Silas and Timothy he strolled through the crowded streets of Athens (17:23) and took a pulse of the city. What is the heartbeat of Athens? What is the cities personality?
Paul was not a tourist but a student of culture, explorer and an evangelist. He walked, listened, observed, asked questions, ate their Souvlaki and drank their red wine. For a few days Paul was temporarily immersed in their culture. You can imagine Paul visiting the public library and the national art gallery. He overheard conversations while having an espresso; he listened to poetry recited, historians teaching and intellectuals debating. Paul saw Greek plays and observed the Athenian architecture, music halls, theatres and sculptures.
Paul looked carefully at their numerous objects of worship and he was overwhelmed by what he saw. He saw Olympus, Zeus, Apollo, Neptune, Poseidon, Aphrodite, Nike, Coca-Cola, Gucci, Apple, Billabong, Sony, Prada, McDonalds, LG, Tiffany, Rolex, Levi’s, Armani, Fender and Lamborghini. Paul realised that the ancient saying was true - “It was easier to find a god than a man in Athens.” (Petronious).
Like Daniel (last weeks sermon) Paul’s senses were on high alert, especially his spirit. Athens on the one hand was a very cultural and sophisticated city, but it was also flooded with idols, gods, goddesses, shrines, altars, superstition, myths, philosophers and brothels. He was overwhelmed by the smell from pagan sacrifices and the sounds of demonic religious festivals.
We read in verse 16 that Paul was distressed (provoked, irritated) to see that the city was full of gods; i.e. they had given herself over to idols. However a message of transformation was getting birthed on the inside. As part of his observation and interaction with this new culture Paul went to the local Synagogue and reasoned, explained or discussed (17:17 c/f 17:2, 10) with Jews and the God-fearing Greeks about Jesus. It was amazing that this Jewish community existed in this pagan city.
Paul also went to the marketplace (centre of civic life) – where intellectuals and philosophers debated (17:17). His listening turned into Paul preaching and many found his teaching amusing, suspicious, insulting and intriguing. Two philosophical parties wanted to take the matter of Paul’s discussion further but in a different place (18). They escorted Paul to the Areopagus or Mars Hill (19). This was an ancient rocky hill NW of the Acropolis and a council meeting overseeing religion in Athens.
Who were they?
The Epicureans: named after their founder Epicurus (341-270 B.C.) and believed the essential purpose of life was pleasure - “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” (1 Cor 15:32) They were essentially atheists but if there were gods they’re not involved with humanity. For the Epicureans life is a party. A contemporary expression of Epicureans is – If it feels good, do it!
The Stoics: were founded by the philosopher Zeno from Cyprus and they believed that god indwelt all things (pantheism) and they emphasised self-discipline, self-control and self-sufficiency. For the Stoics life is to be endured. It is interesting that the first two leaders of the Stoic school committed suicide. We sometime use the expression – that person is so Stoic (don’t show feelings & unaffected by pleasure or pain); e.g. Jason Bourne, The Bourne Trilogy. A contemporary expression of Stoicism is – Life wasn’t meant to be easy.
The Athenian and foreigners spent their time doing nothing and listening to the latest religious ideas and fads (21).
2. Building bridges
Paul is at the historic Mars Hill – what an amazing opportunity. How does Paul commence? How does Paul as a missionary connect with this new culture? He didn’t read the first commandment – You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make an idol… (Ex 20:3-4) and spoke words of condemnation.
After all the city was full of idols, i.e. given themselves over to idolatry (17:16, 23). An idol is simply a god substitute. But he starts where they’re at.
Men of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with the inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you. (17:22-23)
Men of Athens (22a) – typical and formal Athenian opening of address spoken in Greek (Greek was the primary trade language of the time).
His message is about to be birthed from what he has experienced while staying in Athens. Remember Paul is speaking out of distress (16) and compassion. Paul begins with his first impression of them – I see that in every way you are very religious (22b). He is not condemning, critical or cynical.
In a sense Paul validates their spiritual hunger, yet graciously reveals that their zeal has been tragically misplaced. G. Campbell Morgan said, “In every system of false religion there is an open door for the true.” He then begins to expose the futility of their deception and ignorance to the one true God. Paul rightly discerns that Athens is a demonic stronghold of darkness.
Paul then said he noticed the intriguing plaque – To an unknown God (23). They know the plaque – they probably walk pass it every day. He’s answering a question they’ve been asking - who is this unknown God? Paul draws them in by saying he knows the name of their unknown God? I have encountered Him. He has transformed me. Wherever I go I proclaim Him. I will make known what has been unknown (23b)
For in him we live and move and have our being (28a)
However this is not a quote from the Old Testament (no cross references) but an expression found substantially in several ancient Greek poets, e.g. the Cretan poet Epimenides (a poem written to Zeus).
But thou art not dead: thou livest and abidest forever, for in thee we live and move and have our being.
We are his offspring (28b)
Paul now quotes from the Cilician poet Aratus (315-240 BCE): “It is with Zeus that every one of us in every way has to do, for we are also his offspring” (Phaenonlena 5).
This quote is from a hymn to Zeus by the Greek poet Aratus. Paul uses a quote from the world to reveal spiritual truth. Is Paul compromising the gospel?
Build a bridge to what?
1. Eternity of God (24) i.e. created the heavens and the earth
2. Sovereignty of God (26) i.e. God oversees the expansion of humanity
3. Accessibility of God (27) i.e. God is near to those who seek Him
4. Repentance (30) i.e. ignorance doesn’t cut it
5. Final judgment (31) i.e. Jesus has been appointed the righteous judge
6. Resurrection of Jesus (31) i.e. foundation of Paul’s preaching
The purpose of preaching (cultural mandate) is to point people to Jesus. Lives are transformed when we preach and reveal Jesus – it’s all about Jesus.
Ministry in the market place – lessons from Paul in Athens
1. Walk, look and feel: vision often starts with distress, agitation and holy discontentment; e.g. education, homelessness, disease, idolatry etc
2. Build bridges in conversations: i.e. start where people are at. Start with the familiar and get into their world
3. Paul quoted pagan poetry: what are the songs, books or movies that carry a redemptive message or reveals spiritual truth
4. Where is our marketplace or Mars Hill? E.g. Cafes, universities, shopping centre, office, school, football oval, beach, movies, neighbours etc
5. Point people to Jesus:
We will look for Him and reach out and find Him. (Acts 17:27)
Scripture References
Acts 15:36-41
36 And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us return and visit the brothers in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.” 37 Now Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark. 38 But Paul thought best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. 39 And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus, 40 but Paul chose Silas and departed, having been commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. 41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches. (ESV)
Acts 17:15-34
15 Those who conducted Paul brought him as far as Athens, and after receiving a command for Silas and Timothy to come to him as soon as possible, they departed.
16 Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols. 17 So 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. 18 Some 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. 19 And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? 20 For you bring some strange things to our ears. We wish to know therefore what these things mean.” 21 Now all the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there would spend their time in nothing except telling or hearing something new.
22 So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. 23 For 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. 24 The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, 25 nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. 26 And 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, 27 that they should seek God, in the hope that they might feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, 28 for
“‘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.’
29 Being 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. 30 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, 31 because 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.”
32 Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked. But others said, “We will hear you again about this.” 33 So Paul went out from their midst. 34 But some men joined him and believed, among whom also were Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them. (ESV)
1 Corinthians 15:32
32 What do I gain if, humanly speaking, I fought with beasts at Ephesus? If the dead are not raised, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” (ESV)
Exodus 20:3-4
3 “You shall have no other gods before me.
4 “You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. (ESV)
