Sunday Praise & Worship 10:00
Christian Education - 10:00 - Casual Dress - Loving Childcare
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Key verse: Acts 17:22-23 “So Paul, standing before the council, addressed them as follows: “Men of Athens, I notice that you are very religious in every way, for as I was walking along I saw your many shrines. And one of your altars had this inscription on it: ‘To an Unknown God.’ This God, whom you worship without knowing, is the one I’m telling you about.” Today, we culminate our series about Muslims and Christians by studying how the apostle Paul addressed people of different religious beliefs in Athens, and by recognizing the unique contribution that Christianity has to offer. Paul, while waiting for his companions to join him, takes the time to look around the city and was troubled by the idols that he saw. For him, the idols demonstrate a people longing to know a living God, but searching in the wrong places. So, Paul goes to the marketplace to converse with the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers. Notice two actions Paul takes: he tours their city, trying to see life from their point of view, and he goes to meet them where they were. When we attempt to talk to people of different religious views, it helps to read some of their sacred writings and try to understand their point of view first. Then, instead of avoiding their places, Paul teaches us to go meet people on their “turf” and on their terms. In acting this way, we show respect and gain trust and friendship. The philosophers take Paul to the Council in Athens to explain himself and his new religion. Once again, Paul begins with respect by complimenting the people: “I notice that you are very religious.” He then tries to make a connection with them by mentioning their altar to an unknown god. He says that he wants to tell them about this God that he knows and he appeals to some beliefs that they hold in common. He appeals to the Stoics who believe that God made the world and everything in it and believe that God is in all things, and he appeals to the Epicureans who believe that God doesn’t exist in idols and doesn’t need gifts or anything from worshipers. He suggests that God made all people from one man, so that we are all family. Again, instead of beginning with what is wrong with their religion, Paul starts out with something that they can agree on. After establishing some common ground, Paul describes the God he knows in Jesus Christ. He says that God’s purpose is that all will seek after God, feeling their way until they find God. The search doesn’t mean that God is far away, because God is instead very near to us; we just don’t know it. Paul states this by quoting one of their poets: “In him we live and move and exist.” Then Paul moves to make his case for God. In Athens, people who wanted to introduce a new god had to meet three criteria: they needed a sponsor who represented the deity, proof that the deity wanted to reside in Athens, and they must show how the deity would benefit the residents of Athens. Paul argues in the framework of these requirements, stating that he was an authorized messenger of God, that God didn’t need to reside in Athens because he doesn’t live in human temples, and that knowing God in Jesus Christ would benefit them because God raised Jesus from the dead and made Jesus the judge. Some people laugh at Paul and others accept his testimony. However, Paul never does criticize or belittle their faith. He simply shares his own. As we follow Paul’s example, we also learn that our job is not to convert but to share our faith. To share our faith, we make connections with those we talk to, listening to them first before sharing the unique contribution of our faith. That unique contribution is Jesus Christ and the grace he offers by inviting each person into an intimate relationship, a personal relationship with a God who is both transcendent and imminent. We do have a story to tell. But, we first must gain an audience by treating people with love and respect. Questions for Reflection 1-Do you have any friends or acquaintances of other faiths? Do you typically avoid talking about religion with your friends who believe differently than you or do you engage them in conversation? What have you learned about God from someone whose faith is different? 2-How would you summarize your beliefs about God? How do these beliefs compare with other religions? What in your beliefs could be a starting point for conversation with others? 3-How would you describe your experience of your relationship with Jesus Christ? How are you different and how do you live differently because of your relationship with God? What story do you have to tell? 4-How did the Holy Spirit speak to you in worship today?
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