Paul has just arrived in Athens, Greece. He must have felt like a stranger in a strange land. If Rome was the political center of the known world, Athens was its academic, philosophical and religious center. There were any number philosophical and other schools in and around the city and it was awash with idols. They would have been in every home, place of business, and almost every street corner. For a zealous Jew turned Christian, it would have been an alien landscape.
But Paul is not daunted. He knows his mission and he gets to it. And while he doesn’t exactly convert the entire town, his message does have some modest success.
Perhaps you can relate to Paul. Perhaps you’ve felt like a stranger in a strange land, especially as you take in the numerous idols of your family, friends, and coworkers. How many can you name off the top of your head? Politics, football, fantasy football, vacations, promotions, most successful children, most successful grandchildren, newest car, nicest clothes, latest home renovation. The list goes on and on without even mentioning such usual suspects as serial adultery, chronic gambling and substance abuse/addiction.
The false idols of our culture may not be on every street corner, but if you know what to look for, they are pretty obvious.
Though he was on a very foreign mission field, Paul is a good role model for facing the mission field around us. He makes his case clearly and succinctly, laying out exactly who God is and what God has done for us. He completely avoids histrionics, arm twisting, and fire and damnation. His faith is an appealing alternative to the maw of hungry idols demanding more and more tribute that so many of our friends and neighbors worship.
But Paul does not veer away from any of the sticking points of Christianity. Jesus’ resurrection is a central part of our faith and he makes sure to include it, even though it turns off many of his interlocutors.
It would have been easy for Paul to have wandered the streets of Athens and kept his good news to himself. It would have been easy to be depressed by the sheer volume of idolatry. ‘This place is too far gone. They would never believe me.’
But Paul knows his ministry and he carries it out the best he can in a way that makes sense to both him and his listeners.
May we all do as well in the religious marketplace of our own day.
God’s peace to us all,
Pastor Ken.