While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols. 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. (Acts 17:16, 17)
There are different ways of dealing with being a foreign country. One way is to take on the values and traditions of the culture. To merge with them and fit in the best way you can for a simple life.
Another way is to staunchly protect your home values and in no way look to integrate with the surrounding culture for fear of compromise and contamination.
Finding himself on his own waiting for his companions, Paul in Athens could have kept himself to himself in the light of the rampant idolatry. The option was open to him while no one was looking to get himself immersed in the culture to the point of compromising his standards.
Even when he would write later on as to how he became all things to all things so that he could win some, this was still in the context of his undiminished commitment to the Kingdom of God. He did what he did to reach people with the Kingdom. Like an ambassador, then, Paul does not seclude himself from the surrounding context. He plants himself in the place where people engage and converse. He tapped into their ways and means and noticed the best opportunity to share what he had to share about the good news.
It’s a remarkable insight seeing how Paul engages with the culture. Watch how distressed by the idolatry he does not retreat but goes out to spread the good news to give people the opportunity to turn away from the darkness towards the light. He connects with the culture by that which they’re familiar with as a platform to draw out the truth they need to know. Some sneer, other believe, some want to know more, others couldn’t care less. Yet Paul, knows that he has responded to the situation in the strange land that surrounds him with what he has to offer.
Some believe that people are familiar with what Christianity is all about. The age of Christendom and some signs of the faith in festivals like Christmas and Easter and events like a christening or a wedding give people the impression that we’re not like Athens.
Yet scratch the surface of today’s culture and there are gaping holes of ignorance to the gospel message. Dig deeper and discover the idols that have indeed taken root in the culture. Whether blatant or subtle idolatry is as rampant as ever before and has the sheen of acceptability in what is called a ‘liberal and tolerant’ society.
There is a great temptation to take an antagonistic approach to the culture and either retreat from it other than nominal engagement, or make an aggressive stance against it. There is likewise a great temptation to become so entwined in elements of the culture that whatever we have to share is so diluted and lacking in substance that it’s just christianised idolatry.
We’re challenged then, to have the heart of Christ for the world. The heart of one who looked into darkness and spoke light. The heart of one who came to seek and save those who were lost. The heart holy in nature and generous in mercy and compassion.
How will we respond today to the idolatry around us?
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
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