“While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols. 17 So 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.”
Okay, I know I’ve been writing about this a lot. But having stood on the Areopagus, in the shadow of the Parthenon, I can’t get over what Paul’s doing here. Tim Keller’s commentary on this passage challenges me to ask:
How do I feel about today’s culture? Do I feel compassion over ignorance of the gospel and enslavement to sin that destroys? Do I feel outrage over idolatry or do I just casually nod and look away? What is the Areopagus of our day? What sermon or lesson should be preached or taught there?
Keller’s comment: “However, on the other hand, his feeling was not simply one of compassion and mercy. Idolatry outraged him. In his speech he accuses these highly sophisticated and intellectual people of “ignorance” (v.29) — nothing could have been more insulting to them! And then he declares the final judgement of God (v.31). So Paul’s feelings that drove him were “complex”. Why? On the one hand, he saw the idolatry in the perspective of God’s holiness as rebellion— and thus he was outraged and indignant. But on the other hand, he saw the idolatry in the perspective of God’s love as slavery — and thus he was movedwith compassion for the people who were enslaved in ignorance and darkness.
Elizabeth, I feel certain that the internet is the Areopagus of today and you, like Paul, are speaking there!
oh, Dr. Holly — love THIS! Just saw it — thank you thank you for making my day:)!