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.” (Acts 17:16 (ESV)
Do believers in Christ have a biblical example that recounts the preaching of the Gospel in a postmodern context? Even though proponents of Postmodernism proclaim it began in the late 20th century, its characteristics can be found in the ancient world; particularly Athens, Greece. The biblical example of Gospel preaching in a postmodern culture is found in Acts 17:16-33. It is Luke’s account of the Apostle Paul in the city of Athens at Mars Hill.
Athens, Greece was the intellectual and cultural epicenter of the first-century world. Paul would have been comfortable in this setting. He grew up in the educational center of Tarsus. The leading Jewish thinkers and scholars in Jerusalem had taught him as a young student. Although Athens was no longer the political and commercial center since Rome conquered it in 146 B.C., it remained the center of art, literature and Greek philosophy.
“Athens began its rise to glory in the sixth century bc, first under the leadership of Solon (d. 559 bc), who established democratic forms of government, and later under Pericles (d. 429 bc), when the magnificent buildings of the Acropolis took form. In this golden age, Athens became the center of philosophy, art, architecture, and drama,” explains The Tyndale Bible Commentary.
“By the time Paul brought the Christian message to Athens (Acts 17:15–34), the city had only a portion of its former glory and prestige. Roman emperors continued to extend patronage by providing for new buildings and the restoration of the Agora (marketplace). Athens continued to be the home of the most prominent university in the Greek world. Both Epicurean and Stoic philosophy had worthy representatives in the city.”
However, Paul’s spirit (mind, emotions and will) was provoked within him as he travelled in the city. He was angered, irritated and distressed. Why? Paul saw that Athens was full of idols. The city was dominated with images to false gods. While Luke does not say exactly how many idols there were in the city, they dominated the landscape. All forms of philosophical and religious truth claims could be found in Athens. There was no singular meta-narrative for life and living except that there was no singular meta-narrative for life and living. Athenians had their own personal truth claims. You could believe whatever you wanted. There was no absolute truth.
When the Apostle Paul witnessed the postmodern philosophy before him, Luke records that he was provoked. To be provoked (παροξύνω; paroxyno) means to be upset, irritated and angered. In other words, Paul was mad (Eph. 4:36-37). He observed that Athens was filled with lies and false worship.
What was the apostle’s response to the postmodern philosophy he encountered in Athens? This is what we will observe in Acts 17 when next we meet. I encourage to read the text.
Have a blessed day as you serve, honor and worship the one, true God of the Bible. May each of us adhere to the command found in I John 5:21: “Little children, keep yourselves from idols.”
Soli deo Gloria!
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