Taking a closer look at Scripture, consider:
Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also conversed with him. And some said, “What does this babbler wish to say?”
Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also conversed with him. And some said, “What does this babbler wish to say?”
Others said, “He seems to be a preacher of foreign divinities”—because he was preaching Jesus and the resurrection. Acts 17:18
In the greater context, we find Paul forced into a debate with Epicureans and Stoics. Because they disagreed with Paul, they take him to Mars Hill (the Areopagus) to espouse and defend his views in front of the whole assembly of philosophers.
Paul responded: In Acts 17:24, Paul defines God as the “God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth.”
In the greater context, we find Paul forced into a debate with Epicureans and Stoics. Because they disagreed with Paul, they take him to Mars Hill (the Areopagus) to espouse and defend his views in front of the whole assembly of philosophers.
Acts 17:21 tells us that “the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there would spend their time in nothing except telling or hearing something new.” So Paul realized that this was a unique opportunity to present the gospel and masterfully began his defense, which has gone on to become the basis for creation evangelism.
The Epicureans were the evolutionists of the day. They typically held a belief derived from Epicurus that there were no gods that intervened in the world. They did not believe in the typical Greek “gods” but viewed them as merely popular and hyperbolized fictional accounts in scrolls and books of ancient heroes. They viewed a god or gods as being material idols simply made from matter.
The Epicureans further believed in at least long ages of history, if not an eternal past, and that atoms, the basic component of all matter, gave rise to life. Then that life gave rise to higher life such as mankind. But no God or gods were involved.
Q: Sound familiar?
The Epicureans further believed in at least long ages of history, if not an eternal past, and that atoms, the basic component of all matter, gave rise to life. Then that life gave rise to higher life such as mankind. But no God or gods were involved.
Q: Sound familiar?
---It should, because in its basic form, the Epicurean beliefs mimic the evolutionary worldview of today.
Paul responded: In Acts 17:24, Paul defines God as the “God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth.”
He refutes the Epicurean ideas that a personal Creator God does not exist and that there is no spiritual realm, countering their materialistic thinking."
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