Acts 17:24-28
Paul in Athens
Athens was the centre of the intellectual world at this time. It was not quite its heyday but it was still considered important enough as an intellectual centre for the Romans to send their brightest and best to gain an education there.
In to this cauldron of ideas and intellectual debate Paul entered to reveal that in Jesus God had made himself known (unlike the other gods they worshipped) as God who cares for his people, creation and the future. He challenged them at the intellectual level and preached his magnificent sermon. By the way, we can assume it wasn’t over in two minutes (the length of time it might take to read the passage in the Acts) but rather a debate in which he engaged with the philosophical schools over a number of hours if not days. Luke is really summarising the debate here for us. It is brilliant though, isn't it?
Paul in Athens
Athens was the centre of the intellectual world at this time. It was not quite its heyday but it was still considered important enough as an intellectual centre for the Romans to send their brightest and best to gain an education there.
In to this cauldron of ideas and intellectual debate Paul entered to reveal that in Jesus God had made himself known (unlike the other gods they worshipped) as God who cares for his people, creation and the future. He challenged them at the intellectual level and preached his magnificent sermon. By the way, we can assume it wasn’t over in two minutes (the length of time it might take to read the passage in the Acts) but rather a debate in which he engaged with the philosophical schools over a number of hours if not days. Luke is really summarising the debate here for us. It is brilliant though, isn't it?