Places of Renown Famous and Infamous Places of the Bible What City Am I?
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Places of Renown Famous and Infamous places of the Bible What city am I? Geographical ◦ I am five miles NE of the Saronic Gulf between two streams, Caphessus and Ilissus. ◦ two seaports, the Peraeus and Phaleric Gulfs Historical ◦ Not the political capitol of my country ◦ Cultural capital of the whole ancient world Biblical ◦ The Apostle Paul spoke here ◦ I am biblically famous for the site of Mars Hill I am Athens I Am Mark Paul in Athens – Acts Ch 17 Speaks in the market place (the Agora) Speaks in the Synagogue with the Jews Speaks to the philosophers on Mars Hill The Agora Stoa - Stoa Poikile (Painted Porch) The Acropolis Originally this was the city then the home of the King Then the cultural-worship centre Sites of interest ◦ The Parthenon ◦ The Areopagus (Mars Hill) The Parthenon Temple of the goddess Athena - patron god of Athens Won a competition against Poseidon Built in proportions of 9 to 4 Columns are tapered and convex Offsets the natural effects of perspective Makes the building look well proportioned Areopagus or Mars Hill Areopagus or Mars Hill Areios Pagos (Ancient Greek: Ἄρειος Πάγος) "Rock of Ares functioned as the high Court of Appeal for criminal and civil cases Ares was supposed to have been tried here by the gods for the murder of Poseidon's son Alirrothios The Areopagus was used for • Court – open air • Philosophical discussions 2 schools of philosophy mentioned The Epicurean school was founded by Epicurus (341-270 B.C.). The Stoic philosophers claimed Zeno (340- 265 B.C.) as their founder. ◦ Their name was derived from the Stoa Poikile (Painted Porch), where he taught.” There were four famous historic schools The other two were ◦ Academy of Plato ◦ Lyceum of Aristotle What Paul is up against They do not believe in the true God Introducing a new god is not legal He can’t quote scripture they don’t know He is facing the most notable academics of his day Their idolatry directly conflicts with his belief Paul’s Sermon informed of their ignorance and sin. told of a Savior whose name they had never heard. told of a coming day of judgment a Judge who had been raised from the dead called then to make the kind of commitment to truth Altar to the unknown god 6th C BC Athens ravaged by plague ◦ Must have upset a god ◦ They had hundreds of gods and ◦ didn’t know which one to appease Contracted Epimenides from Island of Cyprus ◦ He said it must be an unknown god ◦ Altar erected to the unknown god ◦ It survived until the time of Paul ◦ Much longer story available on request Paul shares his faith in their context Paul is speaking to heathens, philosophers ◦ Not Jews who will weight what he says against the scripture ◦ Not believing gentiles who are searching for the truth It is an exceptional example of how we can approach people in today’s world ◦ Find common ground ◦ Build on what people know ◦ Be respectful but do not compromise our faith .