Acts 17:16-34

At Athens, Jewish theology met Athenian philosophy.  Philosophy attempts to find a systematic answer to the questions of life.  Greek philosophy has shaped much of western history.  Philosophy did not shape the history of the Jewish people; their theology shaped their history.  They had the same questions about the meaning and purpose of life, but they found their answers in their relationship with God.

Epicurean philosophy followed the teachings of Epicurus (342-270 B.C.).  He taught that pleasure was the main goal of life and that the greatest pleasure was found in a life of peace.  He believed people could find peace by avoiding pain, living without disturbing passions, and by freeing themselves from superstitious fears and the fear of death.  He did not deny the existence of gods but believed they were unknowable and took no interest in the lives of people.

The Stoic school of philosophy followed the teachings of their founder Zeno (340-265 B.C.).  He taught that virtue was the only good.  His philosophy emphasized the rational application of logic to live in harmony with nature.  People should use their reason to control their emotions and desires.  External things such as health, wealth, and pleasure are not good or bad; their only value was as material upon which to act with virtue. He was essentially pantheistic and thought of God as “the World-soul.”

A flawed theology will always result in a flawed philosophy.  Paul addresses their broken theology.  He tells the Athenians that they have built their philosophy on an ignorance of God.  God does want to be unknown; He has revealed Himself  by what He has done.  He is not far away and unreachable; it is in Him we live and move and have our being.  He wants us to reach out to Him; it is through Christ that He reaches out to us.  God is not nature; He made nature and nature reveals His majesty.  Through faith in Jesus, all can know God.  God answers the questions that flawed philosophy can only ask.