Central Truth

Paul in Athens – Planting a church in a “university” town.

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Reflections

This weekend I prepared the Lake Highlands High School softball team to play in a pre-season tournament in East Texas. Yes, It was like trying to herd 14 cats! On Friday night, I presented Jonah 4 and talked about God’s use of anger as a diagnostic tool. (Yes, I plagiarized Gary’s work). Before the meeting, my youngest daughter was convinced that this presentation was going to blow up and she would be looked upon as a Christian geek. Some of the girls accepted the message while others were just politely quiet. However, none of the girls verbally sneered like they did at Paul’s message in Athens.

In Athens, some mocked Paul’s message which means their pride was threatened. Mocking is always the defense of pride. When someone feels attacked, but has no logical defense they resort to ridicule. Accordingly when Christianity is ridiculed, it’s always a sign of weakness and an admission of defeat. 

Some others in Athens delayed their response, succumbing to the curse of the intellectual: academic detachment. They viewed themselves as outside the system they were examining and thus detached from it. Everyone else is subject to this except us. So they said, “We want to hear you again on this subject,” i.e. we need more evidence. Such are the delaying tactics which many intellectuals use today.

A few men became followers of Paul and believed. That is the great word here. Some repented and changed their minds. This indicates that among these intellectuals were some earnest, honest people who were trying to find the answers to life. 

Don’t hesitate to tell others about Christ because you fear that some will not believe you. Don’t expect a unanimously positive response to your witnessing; even if only a few believe, it’s worth the effort.

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Discussion Questions

1.  Have you written your personal testimony? If not, consider doing that today.

2.  Paul asks us all to be ready “in season and out of season . . . to share the gospel message.” Are you ready? If so, how were you prepared and is there anyone you can help prepare? If not, how can you better prepare yourself?

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