PREACHERS AND PHILOSOPHERS
Paul
the apostle ministered briefly in Athens, Greece (see
Acts 17:16-34).
Among his hearers were Epicurean and Stoic philosophers, men renown
for their intellectual and logical abilities. When they heard Paul
preach, they heard a doctrine new to them and contrary to their
philosophies. They derided him as a “babbler”. Desiring to
discuss this doctrine with Paul, they escorted him to one of their
favorite meeting places, the Areopagus, which the Romans called Mars
Hill. This was the ancient judgment seat of Athens, where Socrates
had been condemned 300 years earlier.
Paul
showed no interest in their philosophies. He did not enter into
dialogue with them. Rather, Mars Hill became Paul’s pulpit. He
politely acknowledged their religious fervor and ignorance of the One
he preached, and then reinforced the doctrine that was contrary to
their philosophies. When they mocked him and his doctrine, he
departed them, leaving them to their philosophical discussions.
One can imagine what the philosophers said about Paul and his doctrine in his absence. It was probably the same things philosophizers say today about gospel preachers and their doctrine in online blogs, forums, and chat rooms.
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DEP
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