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"If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but I do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. " - 1 Corinthians 13:1
The global
stage is large and many have taken the steps across the pages of our mind with
opinions, statements and proclamations.
Some have been based on fact and truth and others have been completely
contrived in the minds of those seeking attention and glory. In the internet age, we have a world full of
noisy gongs and clanging cymbals; as individuals use every form of
communication available to get their perspective in front of the masses. Where does one draw the line though? When did truth and facts become replaced by
ideology and innuendo? At what point did
we cross over to accepting and tolerating everything being said as if it were
truth?
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| STOA ATTALOS, Athens, Greece (2004) |
In ancient Greece the stoics would sit along the STOA ATTALOS (Greek: ETOA ATTAΛOY) in the shadows of the Parthenon in Athens and have
philosophical debates. In this
environment, in that setting, we would find Plato, Aristotle and other philosophers
questioning the meaning of life, the existence of mankind and the gods of the
universe. Their debates weren’t covered
on CNN or FoxNews and blogged around the world as if they were fact or
truth. They were very intelligent men
debating the essence of humanity while accepting that there were infinite answers
to their questions. Their ability to
challenge the thinking of mankind, based on their personal opinion was a catalyst
for thinking outside the box, and without limitations.
In Acts 17:16-34, we find Paul the Apostle in Athens, debating the philosophers and Stoics of that time on their gods vs. the God, “Then certain Epicurean and Stoic philosophers encountered him. And some said, "What does this babbler want to say?" Others said, "He seems to be a proclaimer of foreign gods," because he preached to them Jesus and the resurrection.” (v.18) Paul went on to challenge the gods and idols of their worship – “…I even found an alter with this inscription: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Therefore, the one you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you.” (v.23) He then proceeded to explain of Jesus Christ, God who loved us so much that He came as a man, suffered, died and rose again from the grave, and will one day return to judge mankind.
As stoics and philosophers it was difficult for them to accept on faith that Jesus was God and that this God loved them. Everything they had debated for centuries had pointed toward gods of the sun, the fire, the wind, nature, love, fertility and so on and so on. For them to accept that there was only one God and He offered salvation for them to join Him in eternity was so outside the box, that it was unacceptable to most of that day. We struggle with the same philosophy today. Is God real and does He truly love me enough to forgive my transgressions and allow me to spend eternity with Him in heaven? The answer is absolutely yes. Jesus came for that purpose and that purpose only, to create a way for you to be redeemed and enjoy the fruits of salvation with God the Father. Other’s will debate it the rest of their lives, and one day realize the error of their ways. Quit listening to the resounding gongs and cymbals and accept the truth that is given through the Holy Bible, God’s word.
In Acts 17:16-34, we find Paul the Apostle in Athens, debating the philosophers and Stoics of that time on their gods vs. the God, “Then certain Epicurean and Stoic philosophers encountered him. And some said, "What does this babbler want to say?" Others said, "He seems to be a proclaimer of foreign gods," because he preached to them Jesus and the resurrection.” (v.18) Paul went on to challenge the gods and idols of their worship – “…I even found an alter with this inscription: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Therefore, the one you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you.” (v.23) He then proceeded to explain of Jesus Christ, God who loved us so much that He came as a man, suffered, died and rose again from the grave, and will one day return to judge mankind.
As stoics and philosophers it was difficult for them to accept on faith that Jesus was God and that this God loved them. Everything they had debated for centuries had pointed toward gods of the sun, the fire, the wind, nature, love, fertility and so on and so on. For them to accept that there was only one God and He offered salvation for them to join Him in eternity was so outside the box, that it was unacceptable to most of that day. We struggle with the same philosophy today. Is God real and does He truly love me enough to forgive my transgressions and allow me to spend eternity with Him in heaven? The answer is absolutely yes. Jesus came for that purpose and that purpose only, to create a way for you to be redeemed and enjoy the fruits of salvation with God the Father. Other’s will debate it the rest of their lives, and one day realize the error of their ways. Quit listening to the resounding gongs and cymbals and accept the truth that is given through the Holy Bible, God’s word.
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