Facebook as Areopagus

Last Sunday we read:

Acts 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 seemed 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.