Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction

Continuing our Identity Series

Cultural Awareness - we strive to translate the message of Jesus Christ in ways that will captivate the hearts of all.

Nashville: The Athens of the South.

Replica of the Parthenon built in 1987.

The Nashville Parthenon was constructed in 1897 as part of the Centennial Exposition, a six-month event held to celebrate Tennessee’s 100 years of statehood.

Nashville had been colloquially known as the ‘Athens of the South’ – due primarily to the city’s focus on higher education - not common in the south then.

the only full-scale replica of the Parthenon in the world.

Architecture, art museum, weddings, etc.

Athens

Acts

At one time the intellectual centre of the ancient world.

Athens was an international destination.

Athenians and visitors to the city (tourists) were both moved by curiosity to hear something new and they had nothing better to do than enjoy intellectual stimulation.

Go there to get the latest on everything from scientific discovery to real and fake news, to religion.

Curiosity to hear something new and they had nothing better to do than enjoy intellectual stimulation.

The center of pagan philosophy and culture that on closer look, was philosophical superstition.

When Paul arrived, it was during his second missionary tour and he found the city was in a period of decline; living on its reputation.

The Agora

In Cleveland, OH - the Agora is an entertainment venue but in Athens, it was the marketplace.

Open place of assembly

The public internet - gathering place to hear and talk about the latest news, politics, ideas.

The word Agora (pronounced 'Ah-go-RAH’) is Greek for 'open place of assembly’ and, early in the history of Greece, designated the area in the city where free-born citizens could gather to hear civic announcements, muster for military campaigns or discuss politics.

Later the Agora defined the open-air, often tented, marketplace of a city (as it still does in Greek) where merchants had their shops and where craftsmen made and sold their wares.

Later the Agora defined the open-air, often tented, marketplace of a city (as it still does in Greek) where merchants had their shops and where craftsmen made and sold their wares.

Think Depot Town or downtown Ann Arbor with a farmer’s market.

Think Depot Town or downtown Ann Arbor with a farmer’s market.

Paul's Pattern

‘He found himself confronted by a veritable forest of idols’, with vast numbers of images of Hermes all over the city and especially at the entrance to the agora (rsv market place) through which he probably walked.

There was in fact at Athens a blend of superstitious idolatry and enlightened philosophy.

Second Missionary journey

Acts

Luke’s presentation of Paul’s encounter with cultured paganism.

Paul's Pattern

[SLIDE]

1. Synagogue - Jews and God fearers

2. Anyone he met in the marketplace.

First to the Jew then the Gentile (everyone else).

He was a student of the culture wherever he went.

Observed, learned.

He spent time with people of all walks in every place in the city - synagogue, marketplace - with anyone who happened to be there.

Including the philosophers (academic).

[SLIDE] Response to Idols

Luke tells the story of Paul’s encounter with cultured paganism.

When Paul arrived ‘He found himself confronted by a forest of idols’,

Man-made images or representations worshiped as Gods - images of Hermes the Olympic god everywhere

Many idolaters literally serve idols: in ancient Egypt statues of gods were regularly and ritually clothed and fed.

The spiritual condition of Athens provoked Paul to go to the synagogue and marketplace to be with and talk with anyone who was there about the good news.

‘He found himself confronted by a veritable forest of idols’, with vast numbers of images of Hermes all over the city and especially at the entrance to the agora (rsv market place) through which he probably walked.

Marketplace

Not afraid

The condition of the city provoked Paul's spirit: full of idols.

Observed/learned of their many idols.

A student.

Definition

The adoration and expression of praise to a god (including the God of Israel) as represented in an idol.

Idols, Idolatry.

Man-made images or representations worshiped as deities; any natural or manufactured objects worshiped as deity; anything receiving worship other than the one true God.

Idolatry is the spiritual worship of an idol.

Many idolaters literally serve idols: in ancient Egypt statues of gods were regularly and ritually clothed and fed.

[SLIDE] Provoked, Distressed (angry)

Acts 17:48 - God doesn’t dwell in things made of human hands

Isaiah 40:18-20

[SLIDE] Engaged

Reasoned, discussed with people where they met, lived.

Come and See phase of discipleship

Epicureans

Materialistic.

Nonexistent or very distant gods.

Science and importance of pleasure and tranquility.

Stoics

Sometimes ridiculed (babbler)

Reason is the principle inherent in the structure of the universe.

Pantheistic concept of God. as the world-soul.

Stoics - Reason is the principle inherent in the structure of the universe.

Pantheistic concept of God. as the world-soul.

Ethics - individual self-sufficiency and duty.

Ethics - individual self-sufficiency and duty.

Not impressed with Paul

Babbler - bird picking up scraps in the gutter;

Loafer - equivalent to a someone with enough knowledge to be dangerous on the internet trying to sell you their system for leadership or financial success.

hey piece together things they've learned over time with no formal guidance or education.

Come and see

Conversation

18 - babbler, ignorant show-off

19 - 20 - Wanted to learn from him; know about this new teaching; wanted to understand.

Very smart people want to learn from someone they don't know.

Must have been something about the WAY Paul went about talking with them.

Engaging rather than off-putting.

[SLIDE] Took him to the Areopagus/MARS HILL

Prominent rise overlooking the city of Athens where the philosophers of the city gathered to discuss their ideas, some of which revolutionized modern thought.

At one time The Areopagus was an Athenian institution devoted to matters of justice, law, and governance.

The Areopagus was remembered for playing a leading role in the death of Socrates who was charged with introducing foreign deities into Athens.

Place where they met regularly to discuss the latest ideas.

Intrigued by what he was saying and invited him.

The charge brought against Socrates is that he “does evil, for he does not acknowledge the gods whom the state acknowledges, while introducing other, novel divine beings”

the charge brought against Socrates is that he “does evil, for he does not acknowledge the gods whom the state acknowledges, while introducing other, novel divine beings”

Taken their to find out in detail what he was teaching because he was introducing a foreign God - some strange or foreign thing to their ears.

• The Areopagus was remembered for playing a leading role in the death of Socrates who was charged with introducing foreign deities into Athens.

Luke makes Paul look like a Socrates-like figure to show a kind of mock trial between early Christianity and Athens as the center of pagan philosophy and culture.