As In Athens

Raphael’s depiction of Paul in Athens is similar, but yet different, from street preachers today. Instead of going to Athens, we see him leaving Berea, where his words were met with learning and researching but detractors couldn’t stand that interest in his words. (Acts 17:11-14)

In Athens, Paul reaches out to his primary audience:

Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry. Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him. (Acts 17:16-17 KJV)

He has an audience with a long cultural history with their own beliefs, along with temples, statues and monuments to their deities. As a Jew, Paul would recognize idolatry, but as a follower of Jesus, he cared about what happened to the Athenians. What he said did not condemn them, and they were interested in learning more:

Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection. (Acts 17:18 KJV)

There’s a place in Athens where people expect to hear new ideas. Paul stands before them without protest signs. That’s not necessary in a city that prides itself on education and debate – they have platforms for speakers to share thoughts. (Acts 17:19-21)

Then, Paul preached. (Acts 17:22-33)

Please read that for yourself. He did call them superstitious – the Greek word used is δεισιδαιμονέστερος, a compound word that combines “more” and “religious”, which could be taken two ways:

1. in a good sense
   
   1. reverencing god or the gods, pious, religious
2. in a bad sense
   
   1. superstitious

I believe we can take away a serious lesson from Paul’s interaction with the Athenians as we interact with people of other faiths – and our opportunities to do just that will grow and grow as our nation diversifies. We have opportunities today. Across my work years, I interacted with devout believers of Atheism, Christianity (in its various interpretations) Hinduism, Islam (both Shiite and Sunni, perhaps Wahhabism), Judaism (Conservative, Orthodox and Reformed), Sikhism, Taoism and Wicca.
A kind Jewish gentleman taught me how to break a number of Religious Laws by eating a ham sandwich on a high holy day. A Wiccan explained how he left Catholicism for Wicca. I also heard how an abused wife left Christianity as her soon-to-be-ex-husband’s abuse was justified by their church with Ephesians 5:22 and Colossians 3:18, completely out of context.  One supervisor, a Catholic, Jesuit trained for priesthood, explained to me how wrong it was to use biblical references, which should be left up to a priest to interpret for today’s world.

I’ve discussed my beliefs under a number of circumstances, but the simplicity of Paul’s sermons is as valid today as it was in Athens. The only better of his sermons (in my view) was before Agrippa. (Acts 26:1-28)

That’s all we can do – tell of Jesus, His life, His teachings, His death – but most of all, His resurrection. We can refer to the apostles who wrote of Him, the changes in their lives. We can refer to changes in our own – but that’s all. And, we can move on when we’re told – as Paul was:

Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds. (Acts 26:28-29 KJV)

Plain Speech

Not all of my readers will be familiar with Dick and Jane. It was used long before I was in school, and I don’t remember using the books – but it is often shown as an easy way to teach. It was full of repetition and short, easy words for new readers. Plain speech is very important – has always been and is still today. Paul certainly thought so:

Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech: (2 Corinthians 3:12 KJV)

Even plain speech is hard. Maybe not hard to understand, but hard to accept – as Peter mentioned:

Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. (2 Peter 3:14-16 KJV)

Back to Paul’s “plainness of speech,” Matthew Henry’s Commentary says that remains important today:

It is the duty of the ministers of the gospel to use great plainness, or clearness, of speech.

While being peaceful, without spot and blameless while speaking of Christ’s life and a Christian’s responsibilities may take a great deal of explaining, the gospel, God’s love, needs to be spoken plainly understandable:

But the great precepts of the gospel, believe, love, obey, are truths stated as clearly as possible. And the whole doctrine of Christ crucified, is made as plain as human language can make it.

The Bible does teach God is love. 1 John explains that much better than I can. But – there are things God does not accept. The Bible even states who will not be in His presence:

And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. (Revelation 21:5-8 KJV)

Proverbs 6:16-19 speaks specifics that are hated and are abominations to the Lord. Those aren't the only items, though. A false balance, a froward heart, lying lips, way (and thoughts) of the wicked, proud of heart and condemnation of the just are all written as things that are an abomination to the Lord. And, one more, in Proverbs 15:8:

The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight. (Proverbs 15:8 KJV)

Speaking plainly, if using scripture to prove what is being done is in God’s will – be certain to speak as plainly about what is not. Be certain we can say with Paul:

For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. (Acts 20:27 KJV)

Why?

The above is a screen capture from a website about the movie “Risen” – a good movie we’ve enjoyed. Not a “great” movie, but it is about a great subject. The fact that Jesus is risen changed the world.  Not His death, though it was planned without knowing the result:

Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. (1 Corinthians 2:8 KJV)

Those who killed Him did not understand what they sat in motion. Paul understood how very important this very point was in understanding God’s message:

Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. (1 Corinthians 15:12-14 KJV)

It was very important then that Jesus was truly dead, buried and remained in the grave donated by Joseph of Arimathaea. So important that a large stone was placed before the entrance and guards assigned.

The movie is fiction, though what is shown and said does not deny nor negate biblical narratives. A bit of scripted wording is out of order, but the words are stated in the Bible and is acceptable in giving the gospel message.

I enjoyed the movie, but one phrase sticks in my mind:  Why do you follow Him? The Roman tribune Clavius asks that question – and the answer in the scene is valid. But it is difficult for us, two thousand years later to give that same answer.

Yes – it is one reason why I follow Him, but I did not see what Clavius and the disciples saw. I did not see what the disciples saw for three years, yet did not affect Judas Iscariot.

A Muslim, in attempting to evangelize, explained very carefully that we are all born Muslim, but are led astray by cultures and other religion. Since I was born in what was considered a Christian nation, I grew up not understanding his “truth.” He would not accept that the same was true for him and learning more was important.

I do not accept at face value what I am told. That attitude was necessary in most of my work environments. Questions are necessary to achieve the best results. Questions asked early and answers researched thoroughly made the work easier. We cannot assume our beliefs are valid without questions, but it still comes down to faith because not all of the answers make sense.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1 KJV)

The rest of that chapter lists a number of people who placed faith in God and we know the result of that faith. Jesus, on the other hand, had knowledge, so in the next chapter we read:

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2 KJV)

Why do I follow Him? Not only because He died for us, but because He lives. I believe He was, is and will remain risen.

The Final Word

Have you read the 29th chapter of Deuteronomy? I have a couple of times. So, why look at it again? To study deeper, not just to read, after a visiting preacher mentioned this verse:

The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law. (Deuteronomy 29:29 KJV)

The final verse in a chapter that leads in with a new covenant.  As the Pulpit Commentary reminds us that Deuteronomy 29:1 is a lead into a chapter wherein . . .

. . . is contained an address to the people by Moses, in which he appeals to them to enter anew into the covenant with the Lord, which had been before concluded at Horeb; denounces apostasy as what would lead certainly to their being rejected of God; assures them at the same time of God's readiness to restore them should they sincerely repent and return to him; and once more sets before them the blessing and the curse, and adjures them to choose the blessing.

It is an explanation that should have meaning for us today. A covenant is an agreement between two entities. Here it is between God and the nation-to-be of Israel. After giving some historical background, Moses states what God offers:

That thou shouldest enter into covenant with the LORD thy God, and into his oath, which the LORD thy God maketh with thee this day: That he may establish thee to day for a people unto himself, and that he may be unto thee a God, as he hath said unto thee, and as he hath sworn unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. (Deuteronomy 29:12-13 KJV)

Moses also explains what will break the covenant – and mankind breaks it first, thus turning away from what God has promised. Then this might happen:

Lest there should be among you man, or woman, or family, or tribe, whose heart turneth away this day from the LORD our God, to go and serve the gods of these nations; lest there should be among you a root that beareth gall and wormwood; And it come to pass, when he heareth the words of this curse, that he bless himself in his heart, saying, I shall have peace, though I walk in the imagination of mine heart, to add drunkenness to thirst: (Deuteronomy 29:18-19 KJV)

This absolutely applies to us today. We have turned away from the Lord our God. We have told ourselves that we’re at peace with where we are, doing what God has told us not to do and not doing what He has told us to do.

Then men shall say, Because they have forsaken the covenant of the LORD God of their fathers, which he made with them when he brought them forth out of the land of Egypt: (Deuteronomy 29:25 KJV)

No, we were not brought out of Egypt – we were bought out of sin through God’s plan defined in John 3:16. Why? That’s laid out in the final verse that begins this page. God has secrets. Secrets that unfold according to His plan. As Paul wrote:

But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. (1 Corinthians 2:7-8 KJV)

Call it secrets or call it mysteries – there is a plan God set in motion and keeps to Himself. We see a glimpse in John’s Revelation, but God does have the final word. Prepared to hear it from Him?

Does Loving Forgiveness Mean Approval?

A couple of scenarios, if you will:

A child deliberately disobeys a parent, expresses remorse, promises to do better and the parent forgives them – but the child continues to disobey. Does this mean the same error is permitted in the future?

A spouse cheats outside of marriage, is found out, apologizes, promises to maintain vows in the future and their spouse forgives them and does not file for divorce. Does that mean the cheating can continue?

Yet we all know of people and situations where errors – sin, if you will – continue. What’s our viewpoint on the repetition? Should what was forgiven as an error be repeated? How often? For how long?

Society has called for freedom to do as we please though it is shown not to be God’s will. How do we know what to do? How are we to act as Christians?

Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul: And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch. (Acts 11:25-26 KJV)

Do you see the cause and effect here? Barnabas and Saul went to Antioch, joined the local church and taught people what they knew about Christ. What the people saw and heard were all they knew about Christ, but they called these people by His name, acknowledging them as His followers.

When people come to Him in contrition, confession and acceptance of the grace He provides, we become His. However, if we continue in error, in willfully sinning, and He cannot be seen in us, why would anyone call us Christians? How do we show we are His followers, doing as He commanded?

Jesus taught love – God’s love. God is also judgment, tempered with mercy and grace – the grace that offered Himself as the bridge between our errors and His judgment. Love does forgive.

Consequences, however, cannot be erased. Continued sin cannot be condoned. God is the judge of our sin – and the definer of what is sin.

Many quote from Luke 6 to call Christians judgmental:

Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: (Luke 6:37 KJV)

. . . while Christians – in that same chapter after instructing verses – believe Jesus’ instructions are to be of help:

Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother's eye. (Luke 6:42 KJV)

We’re instructed to first be certain our lives reflect Christ’s, not the sins that separate from Him, and then help others, perhaps with similar problems simply because we’re experienced. Christ did not preach approval of sin.

Why else would Jesus say:

Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee. (John 5:14 KJV)

She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more. (John 8:11 KJV)

Alone?

“Elijah in the Wilderness”, by Washington Allston

My county is making the Old Testament stories pale in comparison to what our government is requiring of its citizens. While there are men of God – maybe not quite as vocal as Elijah, but they use the same words and refer to the same God – speaking out long held biblical verses, they are being as ignored as Elijah was and expect to be as persecuted.

Elijah’s name means “My God is Yahweh.” Was it given to him as a child, as a direction to grow? Or was it given by the people who heard him as a description of his life? Either way, his very name speaks of faith and defines where that faith was grounded. Several chapters in the Bible tell of his life. Most instances find him alone, Including this one:

And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and he said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah? And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away. (1 Kings 19:9-10 KJV)

The king, his wife, his court and the people of the land denied God’s existence and worshipped elsewhere. Why not? The god they chose was powerful, effective and appears to have offered them all they desired. Why not silence this man who defines his God differently?

If Elijah had his way, the people would serve Yahweh, of whom Jews used to say:

Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. (Deuteronomy 6:4-5 KJV)

Which didn’t change when Jesus, the Christ, came to offer salvation to all mankind:

And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. (Mark 12:29-30 KJV)

God remains the same, first in the hearts of those who love Him. But – Elijah thought he was the only one left who did love God. As far as he could see, everyone else worshipped things on this earth. Instead of worshipping the Creator of all things, they worshipped what had been created. Paul was aware of this:

Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
(Romans 1:25 KJV)

Today we may think there are very few who love Him; that we few are virtually alone in a world. We are not – neither was Elijah:

Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him. (1 Kings 19:18 KJV)

Learn more about Elijah and why he felt so alone by reading 1 Kings. And, find out who changed changed the truth of God into a lie by reading Romans’ first chapter. Then, come back and we’ll discuss.

Eschatology Fiction

Vladimir Soloviev, 1853-1900

I’ve been reading The End Series by Tim LaHaye and Craig Parshall, four books about the end times. It’s fiction, just as the earlier Left Behind Series, which began publication in 1995. Fictional eschatology is not a new concept. Vladimir Soloviev was writing his views before the 20th century – and referred to events in the 21st. I’m not too certain he was very far off:

Humanity had outgrown that stage of philosophical infancy. On the other hand, it became equally evident that it had also outgrown the infantile capacity for naïve, unconscious faith. Such ideas as God creating the universe out of nothing were no longer taught even in elementary schools. A certain high level of ideas concerning such subjects had been evolved, and no dogmatism could risk a descent below it. And though the majority of thinking people had remained faithless, the few believers, of necessity, had become thinking, thus fulfilling the commandment of the Apostle: "Be infants in your hearts, but not in your reason."

His short story of the Anti-Christ is available is a variety of formats in English translations as well as the original Russian. I would imagine it is available in other languages, too. His story of the 20th century’s wars were a bit off. Although his reasons remain fictional, at the end of the 20th, he does describe Europe:

As a natural consequence of this fact, the old traditional organization of individual States was everywhere deprived of its former importance, and the last traces of ancient monarchal institutions gradually disappeared. Europe in the twenty-first century represented an alliance of more or less democratic nations -- the United States of Europe.

For Christians, the study of eschatology goes much further back. Jesus spoke often of the Kingdom of God and the book of Revelation is all about the end times. I met a young woman who said she was afraid to read it – it was too scary to even think about. I think it is too important to ignore – and I also think the Bible is the place to study it.

I do enjoy comparing the fiction, though, to historical reality, biblical verses and the possibilities of our unknown future. I also believe Jesus was correct (as always!) when He said:

But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. (Matthew 24:36 KJV)

Anything else is just as fictional as the above referenced writings. There will be signs, as Jesus said in Matthew 24, which we could recognize:

So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. (Matthew 24:33-34 KJV)

After those signs exist, it won’t take a generation for all to be fulfilled.

We are not, however, to sit around and wait for all of this to happen. We have specific instructions in the Bible that we should be doing from the time we acknowledge Christ as the savior God provided. We continue to do them until we are no longer here to do them. That’s God’s timing, not ours.

Enjoy fiction, if you will – as I do, but do the serious study in the Bible.