Acts 17:16

While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was deeply troubled by all the idols he saw everywhere in the city.

We have no reason to think that Paul intended to spend time in Athens. He was merely there for a few days while he waited for Silas and Timothy to catch up with him. The threats to his safety had got too serious in Berea and so he had been escorted down south to the relative safety of Athens. He needed a good break after the dangers and pressures of the recent months of ministry. But Paul wasn’t one for holidays and so he spent his time walking round the city reflecting on all that he was seeing. Politically Athens had become far less significant than it had been in the past, but it was still a leading centre of culture. It was famous for its sculpture, literature and philosophy and Paul was clearly fascinated by all that he saw, but was also deeply troubled. The city was full of temples and images of pagan gods and Paul, who had been brought up as a very strict Jew, was distressed by what he saw. True to form, within a short period of time, Paul was engaged in fervent debate with the leading thinkers of Athens.

I find this a deeply challenging verse. We too live in a society full of idols and it seems to me that the Church is hardly troubled by this at all. We have come to accept that it’s just the way things are. Vibrant Christian mission occurs when the Church wakes up and feels, as Paul did, deep distress at the idolatry of society. It will never be appropriate for us to force anyone to believe the Christian message. But if we are convinced that only Jesus can set people free to live life to the full, and that all other options are life-less and bound to disappoint, surely we should feel a deep sadness that will lead us to action? Paul’s distress at the idolatry of Athens led him to engage boldly with the city’s philosophers. It was a tough and cynical audience but nothing would hold him back from declaring the good news of Jesus. I believe we have a lot to learn from Paul’s example.

Question

What are the main idols in contemporary society?

Prayer

Lord God our Father, give me courage to share your good news with those around me, however cynical and critical they may be. Amen