Recently I wrote about the importance of making sure we are relating to our culture with the right tone. This is because we represent the King of kings and his kingdom agenda to the world that Christ died to redeem. We proclaim his message that reconciliation is now available in Christ. If you name the name of Christ, then you are an Everyday Ambassador. Interestingly, the Bible gives us a front row seat to watch Paul live out this mind-set in an unchristian environment:
“While Paul was . . . in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols. So he reasoned in the synagogue with both Jews and God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there. A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to debate with him … Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: “People of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: to an unknown god. So you are ignorant of the very thing you worship — and this is what I am going to proclaim to you.” – Acts 17:16 – 23
First, did you notice that he is reasoning with people about Christianity, not just appealing to blind faith, emotions, and felt needs? He is “contend[ing] for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people” (Jude 3). The book of Acts repeatedly records Paul doing this (Acts 14:15 – 17; 17:2, 4, 17 – 31; 18:4; 19:8).
Second, Paul is greatly distressed by the idolatry in Athens, but he didn’t preach hellfire and brimstone. Rather, modeling the wise engagement he commands believers to employ (Colossians 4:5–6), he compliments their religiosity. Paul translates the right response of sadness and channels it into connection with his audience. His tone is instructive here.
Finally, notice that Paul finds connecting point after connecting point with his audience. He understands the times (1 Chronicles 12:32). He has studied their works and ideas, quotes their poets, and is familiar with Stoic and Epicurean philosophy. He is a student of their culture, not merely an observer (Acts 17:23). He studies it so he can find connections between the true story of Christianity and their cultural story. And then at the end, he subverts their story by naming the unknown God as the Jesus who was resurrected.
Here is what this means for us at our intersection. We have to know our story well—the kingdom story—and we also need to know the major cultural stories at our intersection. This will take effort, study, and intentionality and is part of what it means to always be prepared to give a defense of the hope within us (cf. 1 Peter 3:15). If you are ready to do that, reading this would be a great next step.
What are some ways that you have been able to successfully build bridges with people? Please share them in the comments section below.
Listen to “Living As A Christian In A Post-Christian Culture” (Podcast)
