Haven't watched this in a while and it's funny how this was the perfect one for me right now as I contemplate how to share the gospel with my atheist and Hindu colleagues. Thanks Matt!
I preached Jesus in Japan and it was HARD! Even when you found people who would hear you out, which was hard enough, it was even more difficult to find common vocabulary to help them understand basic kingdom concepts. We had to start our discussions by suggesting that "there is a God and he is not a tree." If I'd have had the option to appropriate existing stories or concepts or vocabulary to help them connect the dots, I'd have leveraged those tools in a heartbeat. And in the case of areopagus, people responded! That's my measure of success. Obviously, the more in, you have in common with your audience culturally and linguistically, the easier it's going to be the preach your message. That's why Paul generally starts at the synagogues. But when you're talking to an audience with whom you shared less Common Ground, I think it's worthwhile find some common ground wherever you can.
As a Brazilian, I'd like an analogy with football (a.k.a. Soccer for you guys) next time! Lol Jokes aside, great videos, man! I'm starting to follow your messages on your channel. It has been giving me a new perspective on many passages of the Bible
I'm not really sure how much I can critique Paul on this situation, since he would have had insights from the holy spirit I don't, but I think if anything his mistake was to leave Athens too soon. What it sounds like in this passage is did a pretty good job in putting the case to the Athenians, but then some of them said “we want to hear you again on this subject” and he said "nah I don't have time for that, I'm off to corinth now, bye!".
IamGrimalkin I agree with you that it's kinda sad that Paul didn't stick around for the ones that wanted to hear him again there. Re: "...he would have had insights from the Holy Spirit I don't..." There's an invitation for us in John 14 worth checking out. :)
Eric Huertas Well, yeah, I'm not denying that normal Christians like myself get the Holy Spirit too. But what it looks like from reading Acts is that the smaller early church in general and apostles like Paul in particular had a significantly greater degree of guidance from the Holy Spirit than the average christian does today. I didn't feel inspired by the Holy Spirit when writing this youtube comment.
Did Paul hit it out of the park, or just get it by? I don't think you could answer this question by the number of instant coverts. What Paul seemed to have done is given the philosophers something to think about. Something that outwardly seems ridiculous. But I bet you, they thought of it long after Paul left. How could they not. The more ridiculous or shocking something is, the more it is shared and talked about. The internet teaches us this. And these guys where philosophers. I'm sure they loved nothing more than to talk about ridiculous, new, and interesting ideas. So did Paul convert most of the philosophers? I don't know. But I think the real question is how many people did the philosophers convert simply be discussing the radical idea with other people. I think, if you could find that out, you would find that this was, indeed, out of the park. P.S. Great backdrop. P.P.S. "It's ok, It's hardly been used." LOL!!!
+610bob first of all, that's a great and unique take on the way ideas spread, and particularly the idea of the Gospel in that context in Athens. Secondly, I'm really glad you caught the part about the slightly used cup. We were just goofing around, but we were laughing so hard after that that we decided we'd just go with it for the intro.
Something to also look at is Paul was not supposed to be in Athens. It was not his plan. He was only there because there was trouble in Berea. Any converts Paul won are those who responded to the will and plan of God- not Paul.
#toomuchmidriff #myeyes Don't you try to make this teaching relevant by throwing in the Mother of Dragons at me, sir. #houseofstark. In all seriousness, sharing my faith with people I know is infinitely more difficult than sharing with those who haven't watched me grow up and fail miserably at life time after time (#timeaftertime🎤). And I do believe that sharing the gospel with people requires a certain level of discernment and skill in reading people. Knowing a person is a people pleaser and will chirp any pretty tune the evangelist teaches them doesn't a true believer make. We went through a book called Reimagining Evangelism a few years ago in the PNW and it really drove home the relational aspect of witnessing. I personally dig Paul's approach. He's not afraid of the ramifications and doesn't seem to care about what people think about *him*... a trait I'd love to develop in myself. To be so focused on getting people to understand the gospel, I can scarce imagine the outcomes.
There are Lindsey hashtags on in this comment section. My video has been legitimized. Also I hear what you're saying. A prophetess is never accepted in her home town.
I appreciate the strategy at 8:40; it makes the most sense. Excellent video as usual, Matt.
The Areopagus speech by Paul has always been my favorite Christian sermon. The first one being the 3 parables of Luke and the Blessings.
I really enjoy your Bible studies, thanks!
Thank you!
Thanks for adding these to the playlist too! It makes it a lot easier to watch on Apple TV.
If you preach the Gospel and don't get hit by rocks I call that a win.
Haven't watched this in a while and it's funny how this was the perfect one for me right now as I contemplate how to share the gospel with my atheist and Hindu colleagues. Thanks Matt!
Happy the timing was helpful!
I preached Jesus in Japan and it was HARD! Even when you found people who would hear you out, which was hard enough, it was even more difficult to find common vocabulary to help them understand basic kingdom concepts. We had to start our discussions by suggesting that "there is a God and he is not a tree."
If I'd have had the option to appropriate existing stories or concepts or vocabulary to help them connect the dots, I'd have leveraged those tools in a heartbeat. And in the case of areopagus, people responded! That's my measure of success.
Obviously, the more in, you have in common with your audience culturally and linguistically, the easier it's going to be the preach your message. That's why Paul generally starts at the synagogues. But when you're talking to an audience with whom you shared less Common Ground, I think it's worthwhile find some common ground wherever you can.
As a Brazilian, I'd like an analogy with football (a.k.a. Soccer for you guys) next time! Lol
Jokes aside, great videos, man! I'm starting to follow your messages on your channel. It has been giving me a new perspective on many passages of the Bible
And this is Why I love Athens! They didn’t flog or stone people they disagreed with, they invited them to their Philosophy discussions.... brilliant!
Good stuff on how to share your faith.
+EmethMatthew thanks man.
You should put the section you are covering in the description so it is easier for people to read.
I'm not really sure how much I can critique Paul on this situation, since he would have had insights from the holy spirit I don't, but I think if anything his mistake was to leave Athens too soon. What it sounds like in this passage is did a pretty good job in putting the case to the Athenians, but then some of them said “we want to hear you again on this subject” and he said "nah I don't have time for that, I'm off to corinth now, bye!".
IamGrimalkin
I agree with you that it's kinda sad that Paul didn't stick around for the ones that wanted to hear him again there.
Re: "...he would have had insights from the Holy Spirit I don't..."
There's an invitation for us in John 14 worth checking out. :)
Eric Huertas Well, yeah, I'm not denying that normal Christians like myself get the Holy Spirit too. But what it looks like from reading Acts is that the smaller early church in general and apostles like Paul in particular had a significantly greater degree of guidance from the Holy Spirit than the average christian does today. I didn't feel inspired by the Holy Spirit when writing this youtube comment.
Did Paul hit it out of the park, or just get it by? I don't think you could answer this question by the number of instant coverts. What Paul seemed to have done is given the philosophers something to think about. Something that outwardly seems ridiculous. But I bet you, they thought of it long after Paul left. How could they not. The more ridiculous or shocking something is, the more it is shared and talked about. The internet teaches us this. And these guys where philosophers. I'm sure they loved nothing more than to talk about ridiculous, new, and interesting ideas. So did Paul convert most of the philosophers? I don't know. But I think the real question is how many people did the philosophers convert simply be discussing the radical idea with other people. I think, if you could find that out, you would find that this was, indeed, out of the park.
P.S. Great backdrop.
P.P.S. "It's ok, It's hardly been used." LOL!!!
+610bob first of all, that's a great and unique take on the way ideas spread, and particularly the idea of the Gospel in that context in Athens. Secondly, I'm really glad you caught the part about the slightly used cup. We were just goofing around, but we were laughing so hard after that that we decided we'd just go with it for the intro.
Thanks.
Something to also look at is Paul was not supposed to be in Athens. It was not his plan. He was only there because there was trouble in Berea. Any converts Paul won are those who responded to the will and plan of God- not Paul.
FOX AMIIBO!!!
+Readersfun nice catch!
#toomuchmidriff #myeyes Don't you try to make this teaching relevant by throwing in the Mother of Dragons at me, sir. #houseofstark. In all seriousness, sharing my faith with people I know is infinitely more difficult than sharing with those who haven't watched me grow up and fail miserably at life time after time (#timeaftertime🎤). And I do believe that sharing the gospel with people requires a certain level of discernment and skill in reading people. Knowing a person is a people pleaser and will chirp any pretty tune the evangelist teaches them doesn't a true believer make. We went through a book called Reimagining Evangelism a few years ago in the PNW and it really drove home the relational aspect of witnessing. I personally dig Paul's approach. He's not afraid of the ramifications and doesn't seem to care about what people think about *him*... a trait I'd love to develop in myself. To be so focused on getting people to understand the gospel, I can scarce imagine the outcomes.
There are Lindsey hashtags on in this comment section. My video has been legitimized.
Also I hear what you're saying. A prophetess is never accepted in her home town.