So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. 23 For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: ‘To the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. 24 The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, 25 nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. 26 And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, 27 that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, 28 for

“‘In him we live and move and have our being’;

as even some of your own poets have said,

“‘For we are indeed his offspring.’

29 Being then God’s offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man. 30 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, 31 because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”

32 Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked. But others said, “We will hear you again about this.” 33 So Paul went out from their midst. 34 But some men joined him and believed, among whom also were Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them. (ESV)

For many years, Justin Brierly has been engaging winsomely in conversation with atheists, agnostics and other unbelievers. In doing so he has modelled a way to discuss spiritual issues with bravery, courtesy and respect. He has chosen to step out of any comfort zone, and fly the high wire without a net!

In Athens, Paul was in the thick of it. He went ”in the midst of the Areopagus” (22). He was not playing it safe. Look at the outcome in verse 34. There was ‘fruit’. Maybe not spectacular numbers of converts, but who can tell of the value of a single soul?

Michael Green wrote that in Christian witness we need to row our gospel boat around the island of a person’s life, and try to determine, ‘Where is the best place to put in?’ Paul found such a place in Athens. He started where they were (22,23). Paul’s point of departure was different when he was speaking just to Gentiles, but his destination was the same – Jesus (30,31).

‘The gospel preacher must avail himself of any circumstance in his surroundings that will enable him to arrest the attention of his audience. He must meet them where they are and take them with him to realms of thought with which they are not familiar. Paul was wise to begin with that altar to the unknown god.‘ F,B. Meyer

We hear in Paul’s words the truth that the gospel is for ”all people everywhere”. But mockery remains a reaction of many who say we believe fairy stories about an imaginary friend in the sky!(34). Whatever people say, none can evade the awesome reality of the Judgment.

‘The arrangements of divine providence have been contrived to lead men to God. If they feel after Him with reverence and true desire, He will be found of them. All men are His offspring, but only those who receive the Son of God into their hearts become really sons. Repentance is the act of the will, and therefore it may be commanded. God can overlook much that is hurtful and evil, because He loves the world and deals with men according to their light; and we may rejoice therefore that He will judge mankind by “the Man.”’ F.B. Meyer