Alex Kremer 12-04-2022 // What Would This Idle Babbler Wish to Say? Acts 17:16-34

In our modern world, the idea that life should be ordered on Scriptural principles is  often seen as a silly notion.  Belief in God is seen as quaint; but to believe that God's Word should play a part in public life is seen as dangerous.  And to insist on belief in the Bible is to de-legitimize other religious beliefs and is therefore a bigoted view.  The COEXIST bumper stickers, on which each letter is formed from a symbol representing a different major religion, is the mantra of the day.

When Paul entered Athens, we read in Acts 17:6, "his spirit was being provoked within him as he was observing the city full of idols."  In other words, Paul ran right into a culture not that different than our own modern culture.  He observed a very religious culture with objects of worship abounding.  And to make sure their bases were covered, they even included an altar to an unknown god.  And when Paul began to speak to the crowds in the Athenian market place, he received the same response Christians receive today, "What would this idle babbler wish to say?"

As we look at Paul's response to the culture of his day, what lessons can we draw to help us respond to the culture of today?

Thank you for listening to today's lesson.  May you be blessed through the teaching of God's Holy Word.