LATEST WRITINGS FROM PASTOR PHILIP HOPPE

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Facebook as Areopagus

Last Sunday we read:

imageActs 17:17-22  So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there.   Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also conversed with him. And some said, "What does this babbler wish to say?" Others said, "He seems to be a preacher of foreign divinities"- because he was preaching Jesus and the resurrection.  And they took hold of him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, "May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting?  For you bring some strange things to our ears. We wish to know therefore what these things mean."  Now all the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there would spend their time in nothing except telling or hearing something new.  So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: "Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious.

Today one of my pastor friends said, “Why do I waste my time on here (facebook)?”  I quipped, “Because it is the modern Areopagus.”  I really said it without much thought, but the more I thought about it, that brain flatulence was really quiet true.  I remember as a maturing young man reading the scriptures, this text always intrigued me.  I always thought it cool that Paul went right into the marketplace with the message of the resurrection.  I really found in intriguing that there was such a place in his day where such a presentation could be made.  I always wondered, “What is the modern day equivalent?”  I never could think of one.  In fact, all I heard was the refrain of culture, “You don’t talk about politics or religion.”  The Areopagus imageseemed like the answer to such nonsense.  I wanted a place to talk politics and especially religion.  I wanted a place where I could speak about the resurrection and receive a hearing.

That desire has never left me.  And now I even have the vocation to allow such a thing.  But where?  Enter Facebook (and my blog posts linked there.)  It seems to me that on Facebook politics, religion and various world views are all freely shared and even discussed.    It could be said, “Facebook members who live there  spend their time in nothing except telling or hearing something new.” I have had the pleasure and sometime frustration of discussing both politics and more excitedly religion with greater frequency on Facebook that any other venue I know. 

I know many downplay what can be accomplished with things like Facebook and blogs.  I suppose the same mockery might have been thrown at Luther and his pamphlets, letters, and cartoons.  But yet they are now treasured. 

Don’t get me wrong.  I suppose at the Areopagus and on Facebook much time was and is wasted.  But let us rejoice that perhaps in those rare moments, a forum like Facebook allows for a hearing of the Gospel in our world much like the Areopagus did in Paul’s day.  When that opportunity exists, may God give us courage and wisdom to speak about the One who was crucified but now is raised.

3 thoughts on “Facebook as Areopagus

  1. Hey brother – I am thankful for your blogs – if for no other reason than to simply say that you’re doing something good and I have benefited. Keep it up brother!

    Chris

  2. Rev. Phil,
    Hi. I’ve been a lurker for a few months. Your comparison that facebook is the present Areopagus is spot on.

    If I’m not mistaken, the only place where the Holy Spirit through Paul’s visits and preaching did not please to work up a congregation was in Athens. The unknown God among many in a many-god arena venue did not avail itself of the particularity of the Gospel. Perhaps the Holy Spirit revealed this non-prescriptive reality to Paul and so to us when in Acts 18 Paul left Athens and went to Corinth, There Paul reminds them in the first chapter that He preached the gospel not with words of eloquent wisdom of the world lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power, but Christ crucified.

    I’m not against blogs and putting up sermons on the web for the world. As with just about any new technology, I’ve seen the rush to the new and to be in the know fizzle out until the next fad comes. I personally have too much of a besetting sin of pride of ego. Not doing facebook myself, I personally rather go to the local bar among the people in my location and listen to problems. As you say, when those opportunities exist, may God give us courage and wisdom to speak about the One who was crucified but now is raised- and invite them to worship.

    Good to see Chris is still kicking.

    Old Classmate, Stuart Rethwisch

  3. Chris, I appreciate your reading and commenting.

    Stuart, so good to hear from you, and sorry it took me so long to reply. Certainly there are certain places that are “less likely” from a human perspective to receive the gospel message. But i see nothing to suggest that Paul thought his presentation of the gospel at Athens was a bad idea or not God-inspired.

    I do think social media and blogs have past the point of simple fads and are now a way of communicating comparable to the letter or telephone of the past. As far as the bar, what time shall we meet? 🙂

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