The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1921-09-10


JUNIOR TOPIC-Paul in Athens
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC
In a Famous Greek City
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
Paul in a Center OF Learning Being
Driven from Berea, Pau Fled 10 Athsas
!. The ldoIatry of the Athenian,
". 163.
Athens was the intellectual metrop-
oils of the world at that time. the
home of the worlds great elOqueuce
and philosophy. Paul's spirit was
stirred within him when he saw the
city wholly given To idolatry.
u. The Parties Concerned Wv. Il.
Ply.
True TO his usual custom Paul went
into the Jewish synagogue and entered
into earnest argument with the Jews
From them he turned To such as Wen
found i'm the market place. Here he
came into touch with the Epicurean
and Stole philosophers. The former
were atheistic materialiSts. They de-
MED the doctrine of Creation They
gave themselves UP TO sensual in-
dulgeRces since they had no idea Of
future judgment. The latter were
pantheiStS. When they heard the
preaching of Paul they desired to
know what new doctrine he preached
so they invited him TO the AreOpagus
where he might speak to them Of bis
new doctrine. They inquired as to
what this "babbler" might say. The
word "babbler" means literally seed
picker" They conceived Paul as a
globe-trotter who had gathered up
seeds of truth here and there over The
world, and that he was somewhat like
themselves, interested in talking about
that which he knew.
III. PauI's Address on Mars Hi
wv. 25-3D.
l. The Introduction wv. 90, 23). He
did not accuse them of "superstitiou"
as the A. V. would make ii. but as IA
the Am. II. V. he introduces his dis
course in courteous and conciliator
manner, stating that he perceived that
they were very religious. This he a
planned by stating that as he was view
ing their city he beheld an altar with
an inscription ITO the Unknown God'
| This was his point of contact. He
proceeds at once to connect il with
the idea of the living God. implying
that this altar had been erected to-
Him. He was too wise TO begin at
| once to denounce heathenism and
idOlatry.
9. The body of his discourse (w
243D!
ID A declaration concerning Gd
wv. "a, 25). (a) He created The
material universe ". 24). This was q
direct blow at the philosophy of both
the Epicureans and the Stoics. He Cd
not attempt to prove the existence q
God; 1t needs no proof. The, Bbe
everywhere assumes the existenee, q
a divine being. (b) His spirituaiIp
and immensely wv. "a. 25). He y
not served with "men's hands
though he needed anything" nelthr
is He confined by any sort of religioE
temple. Being essentially spiritua
He demands heart-service. and bens
transcendent above all He is not con
fined to earthly temples. (c) His &C.
tive providence ". 25). He gives e.
istence, bestows needed gifts, and q
sovereign directs all things.
(2) Declaration concerning man w
26-31). (a) His common origin ". ~
This was a blow at the foolish Atnef'
ian pride which supposed that INC
were superior to all other people. Im
proposition he proved from their ."
literature (see V. 2S). If men are w
offspring of God and bear His hr
ness it is utter folly to make imasr
as the senseless idols were. (b) III
lions have their place by the -
ereign purpose of God ". 26). IL
position and mission of each nation
, Of Gods appointment. (c) Men snet
seek God ". 26). His goodness y
grace in supplying all our needs al
ordering even the affairs OF the u
lions should move man to see ana se'
God. for He Is indeed very near
every one: so near that our eXisteh'
and movements are all under HIS co
: troll ". 2O. (d) Pressing obiieatI
to repent wv. 80. 81. This was
supreme message. Though Goo -
formerly passed over idolatry lie nv.
4 calls 10 all men to repent. Inc so'',..
reason for such action is the coihlH.
day of Judgment. the credentiai
which is the resurrection OF 'e'.
: Christ from the dead. The Judglne-
of God of an unbelieving woriu y i
sure as this fact. Men VIII pe Jops, =
on the basis of their attitude io""
Jesus Christ. ~
w. Result of Paul's Preaching w
32-34). &
n I. Some Knocked. ". 32). lps !
t ever the case. Today men ana "Ou as.
l. are hooking the preacher who preas !,
d q irdgment 70 come. The attituoe :,
"a JuuSilVht w - fort or
5 the mocker does not alter tile i"''
judgment. %, This
.. Some procrastinated ". ~ ~, ma,
is the common way of men. lh's ..srt
Il not mock. but they hesitate 70 -, an, mos.
D. and act upon the urgency OF INC =
It sage. oo where
I. 3. Some believed ". S4l' are
ever the gospel is preacheu :"
some who believe and are sa''e'
Happiness. -soss