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Home , Areopagus, Unknown God

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

I Am Mark Paul in Athens – Acts Ch 17

 Speaks in the market place (the )  Speaks in the Synagogue with the Jews  Speaks to the philosophers on Mars Hill

The Agora

Stoa - Stoa Poikile (Painted Porch)

The

 Originally this was the city  then the home of the King  Then the cultural-worship centre  Sites of interest ◦ The ◦ The (Mars Hill)

The Parthenon of the goddess - patron god of Athens

Won a competition against

 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 (: Ἄρειος Πάγος) "Rock of  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 (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 ◦ of

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

 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 from Island of ◦ He said it must be an unknown god ◦ 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