The Aerogapus members did understand his use and alterations of the poem as a method to describe a characteristic of the UNKNOWN GOD. I for one enjoy them. Honestly, I think he was just trying to show the people that he knew their culture and was human like themselves, but that he had a hope much greater than any they had ever had. This is a talent or gift which we should all strive for when speaking or attempting to connect with someone. Is Paul modelling how Christians ought to present the gospel in a non-Christian, non-Jewish environment? If you need to use Greek symbolism to send a coded message from prison like John the Revealer, then get to writing in a hydra cause youre going to have to know the beliefs and culture of the people in control to get your message through the guards unnoticed. In both of the allusions Paul simply intends to demonstratehis thinking is not toofar from the culture theaudience understood and appreciated. However, like Long has said it has be context related and relatable for the audience. Acts 28:26 Go to this people and say, "You will be ever hearing but If you read Acts 17 about the Bereans of more noble character, without the Paulist blinders on, you can catch a wiff of the truth. His goal was to show the people that his message was not completely disconnected from the leaders of the Greek people, whom they would have appreciated and understood. One possibility is that he had some secular education which could be applied to the preaching of the gospel. For in him we live and move and have our being. As some of your own poets have said, We are his offspring(Acts 17:25-28). So then, is this what Paul is trying to speak to, in regards to the people and culture hes a part of. The original line, in him we move and live and have our being, was pantheistic, but Paul spins this line into a statement about God as the source of our life. I have to go back to Matthew 10:16 when faced with this question. Banish the Unofficial Luggage of Foster Care. It comes from this quote, They fashioned a tomb for thee, O holy and high one The Cretans, always liars, evil beasts, idle bellies! Paul like he does best gives them something they want to hear and then turns it upside down to show them the futility of their ways. I used that because at that time, it was something that was very popular to that age group. If this is the case, then Paul would be embodying the pastoral tendency to use a common phrase to teach a message or point. A few men became followers of Paul and believed does not mean anything for the kingdom of God. And that Master Yoda would represent God better. He was not afraid of confrontation as illustrated by his life as Saul, who actively sought, found, emprisioned and killed early christians. The sea is full of him; so are the harbors. They fashioned a tomb for thee, O holy and high one The Cretans, always liars, evil beasts, idle bellies! But thou art not dead; thou livest and abidest for ever, For in thee we live and move and have our being. I think that the issue of cultural relevance comes up often in evangelism. The second reference was to Aratus, a Cilician poet, who Paul quotes to state that God is the source of life. If you did not know the culture, it would be hard to connect with the people. Paul was an extremely educated, a brilliant orator, skilled in writing, recitations, rhetoric, and understand local and worldwide religious practice. Using everyday sources that people understand is very important because it helps them to not get confused when it comes to understanding the Gospel. We still use : Leave no stone unturned by Euripides and so what? In my opinion, it helped further his credibility. That was a real crime. Paul's Witness At Rome - Acts 28:17-31: Berean Bible Church We would not be able to live and move and have our being apart from God. Arent there other examples of Pauls ministry that might be better used as models for modern ministry? The fact that Paul was using poets to help him rather than a past Bible character was shocking to me because it never usually happens. However, I am suggesting that Pauls ministry as a traveling speaker was carnal, immature, and contained a lot of false teaching. I think it is really important to remember the point of using culture in ones sermons as we to often forget that when we preach we are not doing it to impress. Everything in all creation is upheld by Gods mighty hand, including our very existence. In modern scholarly writing, misrepresenting another scholars ideas isnot just a mistake, but intellectual dishonesty. I find the verses in Acts Chapter 17 22-28 are applicable to the your argument. Christians will study philosophy for the purpose of interacting with the philosophical world in their own terms. From the elevated marble mount, Paul viewed and pointed to the citys many temples and god-shaped statues littering the landscape. Acts 17:28, "for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, 'For we also are His children.'". If the message of the Gospelis obscured by the using Fifty Shades of Grey as a sermon title, or by playing U2 songs during your worship, or hosting a Dancing with the Stars night at church,then you have missed Pauls point in Acts 17. The apostle to the Gentiles was now able to minister in the heart of the Gentile world. Quoting them showed he had a wide range of knowledge, quoting them gain an emotional attachment to the crowd, and quoting them showed logic to what he was saying because even those poets who were not considered Christian Jews agreed with what he claimed. Phillip J. What does it mean that in Him we live and move and have our being (Acts Yes, I think that you are right in suggesting that we are quick to learn just enough of other traditions or societies that we might engage them with some sort of credibility. March 19, 2019 27 Comments Acts 17 - Paul and the Poets Paul quotes two Greek sources here as support for his point that the creator God does not need temples or service from humans. I think that in some sense, we can use this model in evangelism today that we use cultural references to help establish goodwill and create a common ground but we must also realize that this strategy has its limits. They had seen their wrath in earthquakes, famine, plague, floods and other disasters. For modern evangelism, modern icons can open the minds door allowing access to characteristics and knowledge of God and the saving grace of the Gospel. Is this a bad thing, not usually for my church because they have a sound Biblical doctrine, where we are presented with the truth each week. Paul is not God. If you would like to see the verses in various translations, you may go to . Im not saying that Paul was completely wrong in what he did in Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea. Or not? All things are lawful, but not all things build up -1 Corinthians 10:23, DaveJ You wrote, QUOTE: . After the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers said this, Paul started giving his speech to the people present. I also really enjoy that you compared that to quoting Bob Dylan! This knowledge made it so he could quote the writings that the people were familiar with, the philosophers, he was able to speak to them on their level. Although he was a Jew, Paul was also a Roman (Acts 22:28), therefore he was not unexperienced in learning different cultures and customs, so he easily couldve picked up Greek philosophy and literature. People want to be related to. As you mention in this blog, this doesnt mean that you only involved quotes from The Simpsons or Bob Dylan, but you learn how to casually sprinkle in some references (or maybe once in a while use those references as your leading point.). It would be likely that Paul, throughout his journeys to primarily gentile areas would be familiar with or research possible perspectives on topics. 17 So he reasoned in the synagogue with both Jews and God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there. The Aeropagus was not a market place bustling with ordinary people. However, there is a limit to what is concerned just enough material and it becoming overkill. Since November 2021, Reading Acts is edited by Sarah Westphal. We might imagine Paul thinking through his task of being a light to the Gentiles and researching possible points of contact in order to preach to pagan audiences. Luke tells us this individual also went by the name Paul ( Acts 13:9 ). It is not a good idea to reference things just to do it but if it is going to tie into the message then there will always be a use for that. We know his countenance could be caustic, biting, unshakable and at times unforgiving, as shown with Mark and then Barabas. greek - Define "being" in regards to Acts 17:28 - Biblical Hermeneutics Paul quoted Menander in the book of Acts and in 1 Corinthians. Book Giveaway James L. Papandrea, A Week in the Life of Rome, [ad hoc] Christianity , Archive Episode #14: Blogosphere roundup, April 6, 2011, Geek Wisdom: The sacred teachings of Nerd Culture Book Review | NERD 4 THE LORD, Biblical Studies Carnival (April 2019) - spoiledmilks, Biblical Studies Carnival (March 2019) - spoiledmilks, The Book of Enoch for Beginners: A Guide to Expand Your Understanding of the Biblical World. Paul quotes two Greek writers as support for his case that the creator God does not need temples or temple services from humans. I dont think that it is right to show random things just to show them, but if it does tie in to the message that is being delivered in a way that will help the audience understand what is being taught, and it will bring glory to God, then I do think that it is okay. Paul would go to the synagogue as a learned rabbi with incredible intellect and Jewish education. If you believe that Paul was speaking the truth about himself here, can you produce another witness as a backup? The difference seems to be that Paul, on the one hand, went through the path of contemporary culture to present the clear message of Christ and was for the most part rejected (very few converts in the Aereopagus). Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. To be wise as serpents is to see what people are believing and get them to believe the truth in sometimes subtle but always clever ways. This learning technique is used to help people learn acronyms, phrases. While the preacher is delivering his sermon, which just goes on and on in extremely dull delivery, the congregants are clearly doing anything but listen. 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. What was the meaning and importance of the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15)? Considering the fact that Paul is the same person who emphasizes becoming all things to all people( 1 Corinthians 9:19), it is no surprise that he would employ Greek poetry to connect with his audience at a common level. Also that way they could explain to someone else as well. Paul is stressing the truth that we are created by the God of the Bible, not Zeus or any other false God. This results in Paul referencing two greek sources to support his thesis that the creator God does not need human services or physical temples. Sometimes though that is exactly the case with Paul. We did not come into being by the idols the people of Athens had built for themselves. (On the other hand I will never doubt that God can do thing in spite of our humanness. The NT is written Greek; Hello! Paul was not there to evangelize. We cannot be so quick to create converts but instead seek transformed hearts and minds, and if this means loving people with patience, we must learn. I think sometimes all it takes is to actually get to know who it is that we are preaching to and not barging in trying to change everyones life all at once. He was a student of Gamaliel who encouraged his students to learn about the world and peoples around them. As far as referring back to a bob dylan song and or a video clip of one of todays latest shows like family guy or the simpsons, i dont feel that we dont need to go to that extent to relat to todays youth or college students. This is in fact a typical way of doing apologetics today. He wanted to convey the truth that we live, move, and have our being because of God, not because of lifeless statues or false gods. As Long also mentions, it is speculated that perhaps Paul, as any educated man would who had a fire to reach different people groups, couldve studied the people of Athens before he preached to them. When I first read Acts 17 I found it very unusual that Paul referenced two different poets. Two of the citations (Acts 13:22 = Isa 44:28; Acts 13:34 = Isa 55:3) are used to demonstrate the fulfillment of the Davidic promises in Christ (cf. The Paul We Observe in Acts 17 - Bible Study Mentor NASB 1977 His dissertation was published as Jesus the Bridegroom by Pickwick Books in 2012. Paul Preaches at Rome Under Guard - Three days later he called together the local Jewish leaders. This is where some pastors/ speakers get in trouble in church today because they dont filter out their content to the culture that is todays culture in church. Why Did Paul Compare Christianity to Greek Mythology? Paul's exact date of birth is unknown. What Paul was doing is helping people learn and know the Gospel in a unique way that will help them better understand and remember the Gospel. Paul cites the concluding line in Acts 17:28, while Paul's letter to Titus alludes to the second line in a completely different context: It was one of them, their very own prophets, who said, "Cretans are always liars, vicious brutes, lazy gluttons." (Titus 1:12) Second Quote: "We too are his offspring" That doesnt mean Paul is wrong about everything but he isnt equal to Jesus. This shows how Paul can work in adverse conditions. Without God, we would not exist. The quotation has a special interest as being taken from a poet who was a countryman of St. Paul's. kaqV h`me,ran ("in him we live and move and have our being day by day").. Only then hed be throw from the synagogue. jessicaturnbough You wrote, QUOTE: But the God who said the verse above also said to not be conformed to the world (Romans 12:1). The human mind uses things that are meaningful or relatable instead of some abstract or unimportant piece of knowledge or information. 1 John 4:11 tells us, Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.. It is probably possible to take this quotation and use it to mean something different than Hitler did. It is reasonable to surmise that he was born within a decade of Jesus' birth. Sometimes he was arrests and once he was stoned and sometimes he escaped. Their mission was to judge individual causing civil perturbations, including teachings of odd religious doctrine. I believe that if he just goes on talking and doesnt quote those poems he might not gain the attention of as many people. The very truth of human beings in the world attests to God. I do think that this is similar to when people today, both in theology and in the secular world (maybe for instance, in a secular education class), use a reference to a commonly known movie, book, show, etc in order to make a point. I think that when Paul made a cultural reference was incredibly smart on his part. Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers. Acts 17 - In Thessalonica - When Paul and his - Bible Gateway I think it is important to reach out to people as to where they are at. March Biblical Studies Carnival | Pursuing Veritas, CS Lewis on the True Myth | Navigating by Faith, The Intersectionality of Jesus Christ | Navigating by Faith, The Book of Enoch for Beginners: A Guide to Expand Your Understanding of the Biblical World. remembering that just because you can, doesnt mean you should is a solid way of gauging what parts of culture we should use when trying to minister such as Paul did. I see this a lot in church services today where the Pastor will use stories or examples from current events at the beginning of the service. The Old Testament in Paul | Bible.org The use of greek philosophical poems or verses are introductions to the character of The Unknown God. Ive had professors references well known people as a lead to get the class thinking and to introduce a topic. This judgment of Pauls rhetorical methods is a modern concern only, not the ancients concern. Glad you are open to correction; hence I hope 2 Timothy 3:16-17 was an encouragement to you. I would have to agree with you there. The Epicurean and Stoic philosophers said, May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? CanPaul legitimately pull this line out of context and reapply it to prove the God of the Bible is superior to the other gods? I do believe that there is a right and a wrong way to use cultural references though. In a previous post, Lindsey Burkey stated, I think that the issue of cultural relevance comes up often in evangelism (Burkey 2015). In Athens 16 While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols. He was probably grandstanding and playing divisive power politics, (as Luke records Paul doing before the Sanhedrin, and as Paul boasts of doing at Antioch attacking Barnabas and the Apostle Peter.). I personal think that when we evangelize, we have to be able to know who we are talking to, and have some type of way to connect with who we are talking to. Paul quotes the crowd's own poets to capture their attention. People of this world are not educated in ways like Paul is or even how we are with having our bible and theology classes. We would not be able to live and move and have our being apart from God. ', For in him we live and move and exist. Paul quotes two Greek sources here as support for his point that the creator God does not need temples or service from humans. furthermore this situation proves Paul can determine what his audience will relate to and works with that information. Therefore, rebuke them sharply. [Titus 1:12-13]. Paul Addresses the Areopagus - So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: "Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. Why did Paul go to Athens, and what was Paul actually doing there? I believe that appropriating current cultural icon into the gospel message does help reach the minds of people. Paul continued to bring the glory to God through this reference and it was very smart of him to do. Question What does it mean that in Him we live and move and have our being (Acts 17:28)? We might imagine Paul thinking through his task of being a light to the Gentiles and researching possible points of contact in order to preach to pagan audiences. Copyright 2002-2023 Got Questions Ministries. As certain also of your own poets have said. He has Masters degrees in Biblical Exposition and Old Testament from Talbot School of Theology (BIOLA) and a PhD in New Testament from Andrews University. Paul does not think that Jewish or Christian theology can be added to Stoicism in order to put one right with God there must be a conversion to an entirely new worldview. Traces of like thoughts are found in the prophetic vision of a time when God shall be "all in all" ( 1Corinthians 15:28 ), the discords of the world's history harmonised in the eternal peace. He died, probably as a martyr in Rome, in the mid- to late a.d. 60s. The missionary apostle begins by presenting a totally "unknown god" to his proud and intellectual pagan Greek audience. Copyright 2023, Christianity.com. It could be said even in todays world that Pauls secular education is like a student transferring from Christian education to the public school system (like me, for example). God is in control of everything, including the day we take our final breath and return to Him. Rome was the largest and most important Gentile city in the world. We use that one thing to give God the glory and put Satan in his place. Paul was using this quote from the poet to connect it to the true God. As he was speaking to the people in the synagogue, a group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers approached Paul and started debating with Him because Paul was preaching about the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus (Acts 17:18). We would not exist today here without God. As a future youth pastor, I find it easy to use things like video games and movies to display the gospel for kids to understand it better. The Epicurean and Stoic philosophers believed Paul was advocating for foreign gods, so they brought him to the meeting of the Areopagus, which is where individuals would come and listen to different ideas all day (Acts 17:19-21). It will help them to relate to the person or group they are with and it also helps the audience connect what is being talked back to the bible when it is done right. Acts 17 | NIV Bible | YouVersion You are bringing some strange ideas to our ears, and we would like to know what they mean. (All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas) (Acts 17:19b-21). In Him, we live because He is our source of life and our source of purpose in the world. California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. 5 The use of Isaiah in Paul's speeches in Acts is noteworthy also. ', for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, For we also are His descendants., For in him we live and move and have our being, as even some of your own poets have said, 'For we are also his offspring. Beatrice Herlacher 71 1 3 Add a comment 4 Answers Sorted by: 2 The Greek word appears twice in Acts 17:28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being ; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. In the message I was giving, I somehow brought together my topic with the television show Jersey Shore. Acts 17:22-34 ESV - Paul Addresses the Areopagus - So Paul, - Bible Gateway If you look at Acts all before this, the teachers are constantly quoting others and/or referencing them but these are characters such as King David in Acts 2:25-28, or other prophets found throughout the book.
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