We jump ahead to Athens where Paul had an unsuccessful encounter with the Greek culture. While he was waiting for Silas and Timothy in Athens, Paul saw that the city was full of idols. Of course, Paul was not happy with what he saw. Luke put it this way.
Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols (Acts 17:16).
Most Christian missionaries would share the emotion of Paul when they visited a new region for the first time. They had not yet understood the cultures of the people. Therefore, it was all too easy for these missionaries to condemn the local customs for being idolatrous. What did Paul do? Without knowing it, he worked like a Socrates, picking up a verbal duel wherever possible, even in the market place.
So he argued in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and in the market place every day with those who chanced to be there (Acts 17:17).
Why would Paul argue with the Jews in the synagogue? Pious Jews would not have partaken in Athenian idolatry, unless some of them had compromised their faith in Yahweh. Yes, it would be highly likely because Athens was the centre of Greek high culture. There were a lot of poets and philosophers. Some Jews in the intertestament period had indeed given up their Jewish identity in order to do business with their Greek counterparts.
Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols (Acts 17:16).
Most Christian missionaries would share the emotion of Paul when they visited a new region for the first time. They had not yet understood the cultures of the people. Therefore, it was all too easy for these missionaries to condemn the local customs for being idolatrous. What did Paul do? Without knowing it, he worked like a Socrates, picking up a verbal duel wherever possible, even in the market place.
So he argued in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and in the market place every day with those who chanced to be there (Acts 17:17).
Why would Paul argue with the Jews in the synagogue? Pious Jews would not have partaken in Athenian idolatry, unless some of them had compromised their faith in Yahweh. Yes, it would be highly likely because Athens was the centre of Greek high culture. There were a lot of poets and philosophers. Some Jews in the intertestament period had indeed given up their Jewish identity in order to do business with their Greek counterparts.
Now, Paul was invited to speak his thoughts in Areopagus.
And they took hold of him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, "May we know what this new teaching is which you present?
For you bring some strange things to our ears; we wish to know therefore what these things mean." (Acts 17:19-20)
True to his colours, Paul made use of the Greek culture to present his natural theology. He praised the Greeks for their religiosity (Acts 17:22-23). He made use of Greek creation myths to introduce the Creator God who enticed men to seek Him in His creation (Acts 17:24-27). Paul quoted Greek poets and philosophers to support his points (Acts 17:28). However, when Paul mentioned resurrection, he knocked head on into a stone wall. The Greeks did not like the idea of resurrection. I did not understand the issue until I learned of Greek philosophy in the courses I am taking in the seminary.
For ancient Greeks, man was made of a body and a soul which came from the world of Ideas. The soul is immortal and the material body is a prison of this soul. In bodily death, the soul is liberated and returns to where it came from, the world of Ideas. Therefore, resurrection would be a bad thing for the soul would be imprisoned once more!
And they took hold of him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, "May we know what this new teaching is which you present?
For you bring some strange things to our ears; we wish to know therefore what these things mean." (Acts 17:19-20)
True to his colours, Paul made use of the Greek culture to present his natural theology. He praised the Greeks for their religiosity (Acts 17:22-23). He made use of Greek creation myths to introduce the Creator God who enticed men to seek Him in His creation (Acts 17:24-27). Paul quoted Greek poets and philosophers to support his points (Acts 17:28). However, when Paul mentioned resurrection, he knocked head on into a stone wall. The Greeks did not like the idea of resurrection. I did not understand the issue until I learned of Greek philosophy in the courses I am taking in the seminary.
For ancient Greeks, man was made of a body and a soul which came from the world of Ideas. The soul is immortal and the material body is a prison of this soul. In bodily death, the soul is liberated and returns to where it came from, the world of Ideas. Therefore, resurrection would be a bad thing for the soul would be imprisoned once more!
Chinese also find Christianity difficult to swallow. Filial piety is an essential virtue for the Chinese. They have a highly developed system of precepts to honour their parents, to return the love and care they have received from parents since birth. They are to serve parents with pleasant countenance. Even when parents are morally wrong, they are to offer their objections mildly and patiently. Not bearing children is a grave sin against parents. Throughout their life, Chinese must not do anything that damage the reputation of parents. After the funeral of parents, they are to mourn for three years in remembrance of all their parents had done to raise them up. They should not change the wishes of their parents even after their death etc.
Chinese find the teaching of Genesis repugnant.
Therefore a man leaves his father and his mother and cleaves to his wife, and they become one flesh (Genesis 2:24).
One can choose any woman to be his wife, but cannot choose his parents. If a mother and a wife are both drowning, a Chinese will have no difficulty in deciding whom to rescue. His mother! Once a woman overheard the plot her husband had against her father, the tyrannical prime minister of the country. She did not know what to do and sought advice from her mother who told her to betray her husband. In the end, the prime minister killed his son-in-law, making his daughter a contented widow. This story is found in a classic history book. If a Chinese son wants to answer God's call to become a priest, he has to think thrice! God's love knows no bounds. We have Chinese priests, bishops and cardinals. Praise be to God forever. Amen.
Chinese find the teaching of Genesis repugnant.
Therefore a man leaves his father and his mother and cleaves to his wife, and they become one flesh (Genesis 2:24).
One can choose any woman to be his wife, but cannot choose his parents. If a mother and a wife are both drowning, a Chinese will have no difficulty in deciding whom to rescue. His mother! Once a woman overheard the plot her husband had against her father, the tyrannical prime minister of the country. She did not know what to do and sought advice from her mother who told her to betray her husband. In the end, the prime minister killed his son-in-law, making his daughter a contented widow. This story is found in a classic history book. If a Chinese son wants to answer God's call to become a priest, he has to think thrice! God's love knows no bounds. We have Chinese priests, bishops and cardinals. Praise be to God forever. Amen.
Dear God, help us overcome cultural obstacles in preaching Your good news. After all, all of us are Your children. Amen.
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