From time to time, as a Christian and Pastor I am told that I should keep my opinions on matters of politics, culture and the social space to myself. That as a Pastor I should just focus on Church issues. I often smile as this generally comes from Christians, although certainly not exclusively. Here is a passage of scripture and background to the passage that God has used to speak strongly to me, that when my spirit is provoked within me, I must speak up.
The verse is:
Act 17:16-17 NKJ
16 Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him when he saw that the city was given over to idols.17 Therefore he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and with the Gentile worshipers, and in the marketplace daily with those who happened to be there.
Here is an explanation about the context of that scripture written by a Pastor called Paul Apple.
By this time, the city of Athens was about 600 years old. The birthplace of democracy, Athens was named after Athena, the virgin goddess who was enshrined in the beautiful Parthenon of the Acropolis. Athens was a university city, where in former years students from all over the known world sat at the feet of the great philosophers, Socrates, Plato and Aristotle. Three ideals, “Honour your god,” “Help your friends,” and “Adorn your city,” were held in high esteem by the Athenians. But in 86 B.C., Athens was sacked by the Romans. Most of the beautiful buildings for which Athens was famous were destroyed. By the time of Paul’s visit, the city was vainly trying to regain its former glory. But philosophy and the arts were in decline. Athenians were trying to live in the glories of the past, as many of the formerly great countries of the world are doing today.
As he toured this city of the living dead, Paul’s spirit was “provoked” when he observed the thousands of idols. Historians tell us that there were over 30,000 statues within the city proper. Paul knew that behind the art, the beauty the gold, the silver and the marble was something much more dead
As he toured the city of Athens, Paul had a choice to make. He could sit around and remain provoked, or he could move out in the Spirit and trust God to change the people of this city from worshiping demons to worshiping the Living God. The apostle went into action right away and started dialoguing and reasoning in three different locations. First, he went to the synagogue, which was his custom, and shared from the Scriptures about Jesus the Messiah. When Paul shared about the fact that Jesus died for the sins of mankind, rose again from the dead, and was now available to live in the hearts of all who repented of their sins and believed on him, and then asked, “What do you think of that?” the Jews would kick him out of the synagogue; for them, there wasn’t a lot of excitement about that message.
So then secondly, Paul began to hit the market places every day and reason with whoever he found there.
Then third, Paul went into the porches and the gardens of Athens and picked up on the philosophers, the Epicureans and the Stoics. The Epicureans are the spiritual fathers of all our modern self-help, self-realization groups. The Epicurean philosophy was to avoid pain at all costs. They didn’t even want to think about a God who would judge them for their evil ways, so they crossed all thought of that out of their minds. For them, truth came through experience. Today’s Epicureans agree with that. “If it feels good, do it,” they say “All truth is within me.” That philosophy insinuates itself into the church, too. “I know what the Scripture says, but I’ve had this experience. . .” “Don’t confuse me with the Word. Let’s talk about our experiences.”
The Stoics were pantheists; they covered every base. They were proud, arrogant, independent, and very selfish. They taught that all truth was objective. They observed from a distance everything that happened, refusing to get involved. If they determined objectively, without participating, that something was truth, then it was so. That too has crept into the church: “Yes, that was a good sermon.” “What did it do for you?” “Nothing. I think it was a good sermon, that’s all. Why was it supposed to relate to me. Am I to do something?” These people think if they have to get involved, then it is not a good experiment. To watch it happen is fine, but don’t get involved. All philosophy has been stuck at this point ever since.
But the apostle Paul now cruises in and faces these Epicureans and Stoics
So Paul, when his spirit is provoked within him, speaks to three distinct areas of the public square. First he reasoned in the temple, then he spoke to everyday people at the market place and then he dialogued with the philosophers of the day.
There are two alarming dangers that come out of this scripture being applied to our world in 2016. The first danger is that Christians and leaders no longer have their spirits provoked within. Secondly that when they do, they have been muted: bullied into silence by the Orwellian thought police that incidentally social media empowers in an unprecedented way.
Anyway that’s what I think.
Ps Peter Pilt
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Categories: Current Affairs, Leadership, Political Commentary or Thoughts
peterpilt 
Mate, whoever told you to keep your Christanity out of public life has got their head up their backside, mate, do not ever stop putting your Christianity out in the public sphere.
I do agree but the “Christian” viewpoint is so widely spread between so many denominations and viewpoints. I know that shouldn’t stop those who have the callling to do this. Marriage equality and refugees are 2 of the most prominent i can think of and most devisive.
An excellent articlewell worth the read and a reminder of my studies of old. thank you!
Peter I agree with you. We are called to be ‘voices’ in our communities: loving but forthright. At times I am also accused of being political and politically incorrect.
Jesus wasn’t afraid to speak the truth- particularly to the Pharisees. We are called to be watchmen and shepherds. These, in my understanding, are the ‘end times’. If we care for people we must warn them.
Blessings, Alan
Well said Peter.
Mandate: an official order or commission to do something
We are commanded to make “disciples” for Christ full stop. No ifs or buts, just make them and we can’t do that with our mouths closed.
On the other hand: “The apostle went into action right away and started dialoguing and reasoning in three different locations. First, he went to the synagogue, … secondly, Paul began to hit the market places every day and reason with whoever he found there. Then third, Paul went into the porches and the gardens of Athens and picked up on the philosophers, the Epicureans and the Stoics.” Are some on first base still waiting to hear from someone?
If all Christians took the direction to be salt and light in their society, the world wouldn’t be in such a mess. Jesus shed His blood to redeem this world. We are not to just stand by and watch while satan has a hey day wrecking the place.
Feel free to go to a synagogue and preach to them – Flemington market is in Flamington (Sydney) – so off you go !
Now the third place – the porches and the gardens of Sydney ! Plenty of them BUT where would you find the philosophers, the Epicureans and the Stoics. ?
You are so bored and full of shit – it’s not funny !
Thanks for sterotypically contributing to social media dialogue. Just because you don’t agree with me, why be insulting?
See what I did there. I disagreed with you without personally attacking you.