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.” (Acts 17:16–17 ESV)
The Apostle Paul waited for Silas and Timothy to join him in Athens, Greece (Acts 17:10-15). While he was waiting, he became angry due to the abundance of idols in the city. The rampant idolatry illustrated the Athenian postmodern perspective that there was no absolute truth. Everyone could have their own truth system void of any objective, propositional truth.
“The Christian message was first brought to Athens by the apostle Paul on his second missionary journey about ad 50. His only reference to Athens is in 1 Thessalonians 3:1, where he indicated that he and Timothy arrived in the city together but that shortly thereafter he sent Timothy back to Thessalonica while he remained alone in Athens,” explains The Tyndale Bible Commentary.
“Luke has provided a more complete account of Paul’s ministry there (Acts 17:16–34). His arrival in a city marked by many statues to the gods, which surpassed anything he had seen in other cities, provoked in him strong feelings against such rampant idolatry. Reared in the strict monotheism of Judaism, Paul apparently viewed Athens as the epitome of sin, and the cultural majesty of the city could not undo this impression.”
In arriving in Athens, the Apostle Paul did what he normally did when entering a city: he found a Jewish synagogue and began reasoning with Jews, and other devout persons who were Gentiles. He reasoned from the Scriptures. Additionally, he engaged in conversation with people he met in the marketplace. Paul went to the business center of town and spoke with not only those who sold, but also those who bought. In effect, Paul went to the mall of his day and interacted with those he met. The market place was also where Athenian philosophers gathered to debate the latest ideas.
Do you take the opportunity to engage in spiritual conversation with people at work, in your neighborhood or when you’re shopping; at either a department, or grocery store? We must make most of every opportunity the Lord gives us to proclaim His name and share the Gospel.
I Peter 3:15 says, “but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.”
“Salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone—period, end of paragraph, end of discussion. To this truth, the Bible has a zero tolerance policy for any equivocation outside of its borders,” explains Dr. Steven J. Lawson. “This cuts against the grain of the spirit of this age. In this postmodern world, tolerance is the new virtue. An acceptance of every opinion about religion and morality is applauded.”
How may the postmodernist respond to exclusive truth claims of the biblical Gospel? When next we meet, we’ll see how certain Athenians responded to the Apostle Paul’s message. Have a blessed day.
Soli deo Gloria!
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