Preaching the Gospel in a Post-Christian Culture
Acts 17 is where Paul has journeyed to Athens. This passage may be the best example in Scripture of how to communicate the Christian worldview in a post-Christian culture. By post-Christian I mean a culture in which Christian values are no longer the dominant view, a culture in which the default position is no longer Christian.
We identify this post-Christian trend in our society today when we wonder why basic Christian teachings and morals are so easily discounted, or when we wonder why people don't come to church like they once did. Almost all organized expressions of Christianity are trending downward. From this passage we can learn how to impact our culture with the Gospel by looking at how the early Christians brought the Gospel to their culture:
Learning from where Paul went:
While he was waiting for his friends Timothy and Silas who were in Berea, Paul takes a little sight-seeing tour of Athens (v.23). Paul became involved (v.17). His approach was two-fold: (1) he went to the synagogue to speak where there would be “both Jews and God-fearing Greeks” (the religious crowd), but (2) he also went to the marketplace where there would be all kinds of people. It was in the marketplace where he attracted the attention of the philosophers of his day because marketplace is where everybody gathers.
It's tempting for us to look at our society and wish things were different and long for the “good old days”. Or we can be broken over the condition of our culture and do something positive about it. What changed Paul's outlook was he got close enough to see, to feel, to hear. The danger as Christians of isolating ourselves from the world, is that we can build a wall around our hearts. We need to see our world with our Father's eyes, and when we do we too will be distressed but also repairers of the brokenness.
Learning from how Paul felt:
The first thing Paul did in Athens was to observe the city. He found so many idol worship there that his heart felt greatly distressed (v.16). The original word is “paroxysm”. The meaning has more to do with anger than sadness or pressure. It means “sudden, violent emotion”. Paul was filled with a combination of anger and grief seeing people spiritually lost. However, Paul is being respectful of what they believe in. What Paul shared with the Athenians show us that you can teach theology to people who don't know the one true and living God, you just have to package it and present it a little differently.
We do not have to dumb down the truth, but we do have to express it in terms and concepts that people can understand. This is our calling as the Church, to present the Gospel.
Learning from what Paul did:
Paul preached Jesus and the resurrection, they thought he was babbling on. The Gospel sounded strange to them, it was foolish because Paul spoke of that which was supernatural, the resurrection of Jesus. A natural religion does not offend or raise eyebrows in a post-Christian or a pre-Christian world, but a supernatural one sure does! Paul's message was misunderstood, but he struck a spiritual nerve and some wanted to hear more. What Paul shared in his message is crucial in helping people see the truth.
There are mixed results of what Paul did. Some mocked, some put off their decisions, but some believed. Preaching to an audience like this often does not produce great results. Not everyone will agree with our beliefs and conclusions. But success is not getting everyone to agree with us. Success is sharing the Gospel, helping all people everywhere be exposed to the life-changing truth of God.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Please help me to be your true ambassador on earth, and help me to effectively preach your gospel to other people. Do not let me be an obstacle to gospel evangelization, but help me to support it to spread further. Let your Holy Spirit empowers me to live a successful life on earth which is to share the gospel.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen