Take a look at Acts 17:16-34 for this week's House Church gathering before you come. This is a scene from the Areopagus, where Paul makes his case before the Athenians regarding their 'unknown God.' As you read, look at the arguments Paul makes, and what things he uses and those things he doesn't use in making his points. What rhetorical arguments does he make as he seeks to win over his audience? It may help you to know that the Areopagus was the place where 'new' religions were brought to 'trial' in Athens.I want to talk tomorrow about a concept known as subversion. The definition of subversion is: Action designed to undermine the military, economic, psychological or political strength of a regime.
This is different from syncretism: A: the combination of different forms of belief or practice; B: the fusion of two or more originally different intellectual forms.
One is using something from a culture or viewpoint to bring about a change in that same culture; the second is abandoning something in order to fit in with the culture around us. The word syncretism originates with the Greek Island of Crete, which has a series of city states which fused together, and brought all of their varying cultures and dialects and fused them into an integrated whole.
Now read back over this section from Acts 17...was Paul engaging in subversion or syncretism?
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I love church every Sunday, but today was especially lovely. Jamie was taking pictures of Kate's jewelry for her blog. Jeremy W was "playing" guitar and the conversation around that went from ragging on him to helping him learn to play. The girls around the kitchen table were talking about the new school year and encouraging Amy G.
Each of us has a gift or two. We have the freedom and acceptance in our small community to use those gifts... and on this lazy Sunday afternoon, we did.. and it was great! We're family and I love it.
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