Acts 17:16-31 – Paul in Athens
Move #1 – What idols do you see in Canada?
(Hockey?… a minor god at best…
Success? Money & greed? – yes - the bible told us this truth 2000 years ago.
A relatively new god is the Self! …and its attractive, but misleading nickname - “Happiness.”
This is the triumph of personal fulfillment!
Indeed, to be honest - these are a function of the widespread rejection of Christianity and the bible.
Spiritual ignorance always leaves a vacuum that must be filled.
Look around you - Yoga is in… church, not so much.
Please don’t think that we believers are immune to these gods!!!
In the opening pages of “Counterfeit gods”… Tim Keller tells of successful executives committing suicide in the wake of the economic crisis of 2008 – prompted by sub-prime mortgages – prompted by greed and fraud.
Quote: After the global economic crisis began in 2008 there followed a tragic string of suicides of formerly wealthy and well connected individuals.
The chief financial officer of Freddie Mac - the federal home loan mortgage corporation hanged himself in his basement.
the chief executive of “Sheldon Good” the leading US real estate auction firm shot himself in the head behind the wheel of his red Jaguar.
the French money manager who invested the wealth of many of Europe’s royal and leading families and who had lost $1.4 billion of his clients money in Bernie Madoff's Ponzi scheme slit his wrists and died in his Madison Ave. office.
A Danish senior executive which HSBC Bank hanged himself in the wardrobe of his £500 a night suite in Knightsbridge London.
When a Bear Stearns executive learned that he would not be hired by JP Morgan Chase - which had bought his collapsed firm - he took a drug overdose and jumped from the 29th floor of his office building. It was grimly reminiscent of the suicides in the wake of the 1929 stock market crash.
And now in 2025, another economic crisis looms over our nation and indeed much of the world.
The USA is starting a tariff war
Russia is destroying Ukraine
Ukraine feels abandoned
Israel's conflict is unabating.
And of course, now CANADA is in economic chaos.
So…Welcome to 2025 – remember “happy new year” – It's only March 16, 2025 - but it seems so long ago now…(may I remind you that we learned to say “happy forever” instead of happy new year!
Tariffs …jobs & the Economy is the no. 1 issue on people's minds now… perhaps its always been the case - given our hopes being placed in money & materialism for so, so long.
Many say we now face an existential threat to Canada… tariffs and even talk of “annexation” is now everyday bluster in coffee shops, hockey rinks, classrooms, and news media.
American nationalism – while often complained about - has now been met with Canadian nationalism.
It's not exactly a Christian vision for society… rather it's now an “every man for himself” attitude.
It’s all served to scratch away the veneer and expose what we really build our lives upon – the false gods of money, prosperity and power.
And it begs the question – where is our hope? Where is our future?
Does the gospel have anything to say in this hour?
“The incomplete joys of this world will never satisfy the human heart.” Alexis de Tocqueville.
Move #2 - Read text 17:16ff
16 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 both Jews and God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there. 18 A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to debate with him. Some of them asked, “What is this babbler trying to say?” Others remarked, “He seems to be advocating foreign gods.” They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection. 19 Then they took him and brought him to a meeting of the Areopagus, where they said to him, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? 20 You are bringing some strange ideas to our ears, and we would like to know what they mean.” 21 (All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas.)
Move #3 Athens was very religious but had a spiritual void – they didn’t know the true and sovereign God… the best they could do was build an idol to “the unknown God…” as a way of covering their bases … in a city of many, many idols…and a very religious culture there was actually a spiritual darkness.
Paul is distressed and begins to engage people and institutions.
Athens … was the intellectual center of the empire and the Greek culture – it was known for Plato, Aristotle and Socrates..…yet it was overrun by spiritual ignorance – quite a Paradox.
Likewise… *in this 21st century - Science & technology and the advance of knowledge should lead us toward God – not away from Him.
Athens reached its zenith under Pericles (495–429 b.c.); and during the last fifteen years of his life, the Partheon, numerous temples, and other splendid buildings were built. Literature, philosophy, science, and rhetoric flourished; and Athens attracted intellectuals from all over the world. Politically it became a democracy.
The Romans conquered Athens in 146 b.c.
They were lovers of everything Greek, and under their rule Athens continued as the cultural and intellectual center of the world. Rome also left the city free politically to carry on her own institutions as a free city within the empire.
When Paul came to Athens, it had long since lost its empire and wealth. Its population probably numbered no more than ten thousand. Yet it had a glorious past on which it continued to live. Its temples and statuary were related to the worship of the Greek pantheon, and its culture was though religions, very pagan in its orientation.
Therefore Paul, with his Jewish abhorrence of idolatry, could not but find the culture of Athens spiritually repulsive. (R Longenecker; Expositors Commentary)
Move #4 Paul is greatly distressed …so he engages these philosophers …
Are we also distressed?…do we engage people in these matters?
Paul makes 3 moves…
1. Synagogue (Jews)
2. Marketplace (Business)
3. Agora/university (Philosophers)
Epicurus (342–270 b.c.) held that pleasure was the chief goal of life, with the pleasure most worth enjoying being a life of tranquillity free from pain.
…Sound familiar??
He did not deny the existence of gods but argued in deistic fashion that they took no interest in the lives of men.
The Cypriote Zeno (340–265 b.c.) was the founder of Stoicism.
His teaching centered on fatalism…living harmoniously with nature and emphasized man’s rational abilities and individual self-sufficiency. Theologically, he was pantheistic.
The Areopagus ( “Court” of Ares,” the Gr. god of thunder and war) reaches back to antiquity. Presumably it first met at Athens on the Hill of Ares (Lat. “Mars Hill”), northwest of the Acropolis.
*These ideas – these “idols” however cannot carry the burden of life’s reality – they are merely a distraction and only give false hope.
Likewise, today movements and politicians try to create heaven on earth with their cry for justice, equality and prosperity for all.
When will we realize that the only real hope is in Christ and his return… we have never known a world without war…a world without greed and corruption… yet we still try to fix what's broken ourselves – and repeatedly push God aside – and embrace false gods.
** Now I’m sure you realize….religion and politics are dangerous topics… but they speak to the biggest issues of life – namely, where is our hope?
But hear me well on this… Don’t reduce politics to partisan politics – instead, enlarge it to the existential scale – Where is your hope? Who is your faith is? Who is your messiah?
Most people fail to do this --- we choose a side in the political spectrum – we cast your vote for someone - which I see as a better option than not voting.
But partisan politics isn’t the root issue – the root issue is who is your GOD – and where is your hope?
**You won’t hear this on CBC or FOX or CNN !!!
Notice what Peter said to Jesus prior to his ascension – Lord, at this time are you going to restore the kingdom to Israel?
…it’s a political question!!!
Even after 3 years with Jesus - Peter was still stuck there – but Jesus says… I have power of a different kind for you – the power of the Holy Spirit.
…We of all people should know this - and NOT fall into the trap of politics being reduced to personalities and parties… and who is raising taxes or tariffs.
In Athens – a city full of idols, Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection” (18)
He reminded the church in Corinth of this same truth…
**See 1 Cor 2:1-5 …When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. 2 For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.
Paul places our collective hope in Christ.
And may I remind you Jesus Christ our Lord isn’t running for office… he is building his kingdom right now in the hearts of people all over the world… and one day he will establish the fulness of his kingdom – and place the government squarely upon his own shoulders.
The gospel is our message – and we are messengers of this message.
T Keller writes, “our contemporary society is not fundamentally different from those ancient one's in Athens - each culture is dominated its own set of idols - each has its priesthood - each has its shrines - office towers, spas, gyms, stadiums where sacrifices must be made in order to procure the blessings of the good life and ward off disaster - what are the gods of beauty, power, money and achievement but these same things that have assumed mythic proportions in our lives and in our society? We may not physically kneel before the statue of Aphrodite - but many young women today are driven into depression and eating disorders by an obsessive concern over their body image - we may not actually burn incense to Artemis but when money and career are raised to cosmic proportions - we perform a kind of child sacrifice - neglecting family and community to achieve a higher place in business and gain wealth and prestige.” P. xii (Counterfeit gods)
The Bible says that the human heart is an idol factory!!!
The most famous moral code in the world is the 10 Commandments - the very first commandment is “I am the Lord your God - you shall have no other gods before me.” ex 20:3
What is an idol ? -- anything more important to you than God - anything that absorbs your heart and imagination more than God - anything you seek to give you what only God can give - the counterfeit god is anything so central and essential to your life that should you lose it - your life would hardly feel worth living.” (Keller, page xviii)
Move #5 So because of his engagement – and his concern for their spiritual blindness - Paul gets a hearing… (though he’s called a “babbler”) with the Pseudo-intellectuals! in the prestigious “Areopagus”
…What would you say given such an opportunity?
No. 1 – don’t be intimidated – why? We have the gospel – the best news of all.
We are not the ignorant ones… the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge!
Paul…Builds a bridge ... “I saw your objects of worship”
Now, I’m going to explain the divine to you. (23)
• God is Creator see romans 1: 19 “…what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.”
Next says Paul…God is Not contained in temples! (of which there were many in Athens)
• The true and Almighty God needs nothing from us - he is “ I am”!
• He blesses all creation (26)…revealing his generous character
• He made all the nations…
• He marked out history and boundaries…
Why did God do this??? (27)
• God wants us to seek him… reach out to him…he is not far! (27)
• God is personal and knowable!
This is so different than what most people think…This points us to the incarnation of God in Jesus of Nazareth. He came to make himself known.
• Your poets say – “we are his offspring…”
• Which means as his offspring, we show something of God’s nature – he isn’t made of stone! (29)
Now, God calls us to repent of idols… and worship him whose right it is!!!
T. Keller says in his book “Counterfeit gods” ... “idolatry is the sin beneath every sin”
Western secular values make an idol out of individual freedom and this leads to the breakdown of the Marriage & family, it also feeds our greed – leading to rampant materialism, careerism, and the idolization of romantic love ,physical beauty, and financial profit . Keller, p. 130
… furthermore - putting “nation” in place of God = idolizing a nation and a flag as “god” - “this is nationalism” which leads to cultural imperialism - and putting self in the place of God leads to many of the dysfunctional expressions we see today.
Yesterday's Saturday Paper – Globe And Mail & National Post (March 15, 2025)
** an open Letter to Canda;s new Prime minister by Brendan Caldwell.
Canadian Values in a Time of (Trade) War
“You will hear of wars and rumours of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.” Matthew 24:6
“But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.” Matthew 5:39
The conventional Canadian wisdom in the present trade war with our American cousins is that we should adopt an “elbows up” approach. Unfortunately, we are not playing hockey, and a different strategy may be preferrable. ...America believes that its strength is based on being the biggest economically and most powerful militarily. When America is struck, it believes it should strike back magnitudes harder. Canadian strength is different. Our strength is born of resilience. … Our strength is not about what damage we can inflict, but what we are able to endure and overcome. Our national hero is not John Wayne. It is Terry Fox. …To “turn the other cheek” is not a call to weakness or surrender, but a stand that can only come from the rightness of one’s cause and the ability to absorb whatever the other can dish out. This is resilience.
Wishing you every blessing as you take up your office in this challenging and complex time,
beautiful - a devout Christian engaging in the marketplace - as did Paul in Athens.
Now The Climax Of Paul’s Sermon – Judgment Day is coming (31) – and this I will say, is the ultimate political policy statement.
This is bigger than a tariff!!! Bigger than axing the carbon tax.
… it bigger than annexation – it’s the sovereign God, King of Kings and Lord of Lords, taking his rightful place.
He’s not running for office – he is already on the throne!!!
People today want to choose – we love individual freedom
Well here now is the ultimate choice - Repent! – or face judgment day! (31)
God, sitting on his throne, says Paul – has set a day when he will judge the world by the man he has appointed – that man is Jesus.
Yes…Judge the world, (1)make things right (2) no more death (3) govt on his shoulders
This is an essential core of the gospel…
The legendary Bob Dylan wrote these lyrics around 1980… its called “When He Returns”
Surrender your crown on this blood stained ground, take off your mask
He sees your deeds, he knows your needs even before you ask
How long can you falsify and deny what is real
How long can you hate yourself for the weakness you conceal
Of every earthly plan that be known to man, he is unconcerned
He's got plans of his own to set up his throne
When he returns
…Truth is an arrow and the gate is narrow that it passes through
He’ll unleash his power at an unknown hour that no one knew
How long can I listen to the lies of prejudice,
How long can I stay drunk on fear, out in the wilderness
Can I cast it aside, all this loyalty and this pride?
Will I ever learn, that there'll be no peace, that the wars won't cease
Until he returns
Jesus is the righteous judge – whom God has appointed to this task.
You want Proof, asks Paul ?
Consider the resurrection – which is the defeat of death and sin… and the victory of Jesus of Nazareth… Jesus our Lord… Jesus – risen and exalted to the right hand of God.
I conclude today with the words of Psalm 2 - a most political psalm … and a psalm of ultimate hope in God’s reign…
Psalm 2
1 Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain?
2 The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together
against the Lord and against his anointed, saying,
3 “Let us break their chains and throw off their shackles.”
4 The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them.
5 He rebukes them in his anger and terrifies them in his wrath, saying,
6 “I have installed my king on Zion, my holy mountain.”
7 I will proclaim the Lord’s decree:
He said to me, “You are my son; today I have become your father.
8 Ask me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession.
9 You will break them with a rod of iron; you will dash them to pieces like pottery.”
10 Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth.
11 Serve the Lord with fear and celebrate his rule with trembling.
12 Kiss his son, or he will be angry and your way will lead to your destruction,
for his wrath can flare up in a moment. Blessed are all who take refuge in him
**My friends…cast aside your idols - take your refuge in him – king of Kings – and Lord of Lords.
