Acts 17:16-34

Athens û the center of scholarly debate, intellectual cultivation and philosophical deliberations. At the time of Paul's second missionary journey, (AD 49-52), Athens was not as strong a political city as Corinth during this time; however, Athens was still one of the great epochs of intellectual fortitude in the world. At the heart of this intellectual stronghold in Greek culture were two competing schools of thought regarding life and the after life; Stoicism and Epicureanism (IVP, 24.) The passage of Acts 17:16-34, written by the apostle Luke, looks at how Paul, a Greek and Hebrew scholar himself, introduces a new school of thinking (mainly the gospel) into the Greek system. This new message was pointed and clear, Paul was in Athens to present Christianity to the political leaders and the message of Christ's resurrection.

Paul's second missionary journey began about 49 AD, and like the first journey, it was no "10-day excursion." He would not return for about 3 years, until 52 (NIV, 1086). Paul's mission was to spread the gospel to the Greeks and challenge their religious presuppositions through a series of debates, questioning, eloquent presentations and culturally relevant analogies. Evidently, the apostle did not intend to stay long in Athens. He was heading for Corinth, the political capital, for Paul always focused upon those areas where the commerce of life flowed and where the influence of

. . .
of it when he has grown old. And to say that the season for studying philosophy has not yet come, or that it is past and gone, is like saying that the season for happiness is not yet or that it is now no more. Therefore, both old and young alike ought to seek wisdom and exercise ourselves in the things which bring happiness, since, if that be present, we have everything, and, if that be absent, all our actions are directed towards attaining it." ùEpicurus, Letter to Menoeceus (Hamilton, 203-204). This definition of happiness isn't far removed from the gospel; however, the difference is where the source of that wisdom and happiness is derived from û God himself, not the gods, nature or any other object. Paul's Theological Persuasion (vs.22-29) While growing up in Tarsus, historian Howard Clark Kee makes this speculation about the influence of Stoic philosophy on Paul:á "It is not surprising, therefore, that traces of Stoic ethics and religious vocabulary may be found in the letters of Paul. Perhaps the sympathy of Paul with the Gentiles is traceable in part to the impression made upon him by the earnestness of the Stoic preachers who stood in the streets and market places of the city, seeking to inculcate virtue in their
. . .

Some common words found in the essay are:
Dionysius Areopagite, Epistle Menoeceus, Epicurean Stoic, Athens Christianity, God Stedman, Areopagus Athens, Christianity Christ's, Empire Paul's, Whereas Stoics', Stated Epicurean, paul's mission, acts 1716-34, stoic philosophers, culturally relevant, paul's missionary journey, missionary journey, paul athens, luke tells, paul's missionary, seek wisdom, epicurean stoic philosophers, 1716-34 grand rapids, acts 1716-34 grand, varsity press,
Approximate Word count = 2243
Approximate Pages = 9 (250 words per page)