Saturday, May 12, 2007

One to Grow on

Interestingly enough, Paul quoted a "Pagan" writer/philosopher when he said in Acts 17:28, "For in Him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your poets have said, For we are also his offspring." Paul clearly said this to create a common "bond" with the people of Athens, quoting a poet with whom they all were presumably familiar, and lessening the preconceived gap, or separation that they would have placed between themselves and Paul, being a Jew!
What I find interesting is that Paul was familiar with the writings of the so-called Pagan poets, Epimenides in particular, who was the original author of the saying. Modern day Christians could learn a lot if they only would read further into the scriptures, and examine the examples set forth by the forerunners of the Faith who oftentimes, went intentionally against the status quo.

No comments: