Opening Minds

Primary Scripture: Acts 17:16-32 Cross References: Deuteronomy 10:17; 1 Chronicles 16:26, Psalm 115:1-7; Colossians 1:15-20 Message Overview: While waiting for the others to rejoin him, Paul has a visceral reaction to the overt idolatry he sees in the City of Athens. He feels compelled to engage the philosophers of the day on their own turf. Paul is able to make connection with the intellectuals at the Areopagus, but finds strong opposition when he speaks of the resurrection of Jesus. The account of Paul in Athens raises many questions that thoughtful people ask today in their search for truth. Paul was ready to engage anyone no matter how far from faith they might seem. In the end we see that some believed in this intellectually hostile environment. Prompting Questions: How do our churches address the theological and cultural questions of our day such that the Gospel can be heard in clear words? How does God's supremacy and transcendence meet and then rise above the human wisdom and experience our culture espouses today?