from Christian Concern
Our head of Public Policy, Tim Dieppe, writes about the importance of Christians having the freedom to criticise other religions.
This is a slightly updated version of an article first published in Affinity’s Social Issues Bulletin for Spring 2025.
Paul in Athens
When Paul was in Athens, he was greatly distressed by the sight of all the idols there (Acts 17:16-34). So, he went to the marketplace and reasoned with the people there on a daily basis. He was accused of “advocating foreign gods” and brought before the council of the Areopagus.
There, he criticised the very concept of temples, proclaiming that God “does not live in temples built by human hands.” He also criticised the concept of idols: “we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone – an image made by human design and skill.”
Indeed, the Athenians were wrong to worship multiple gods. There is only one God “who made the world and everything in it.” Paul told the Athenians they needed to repent of their sinful ways and worship the one true God.
He warned that a day is coming when “he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed,” and that he has “given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.”
The accusation against Paul of “advocating foreign gods” was a dangerous one. It was well known that Socrates had been on trial in Athens, at least in part for introducing “new gods” to the Athenians. The trial of Socrates resulted in the death penalty.
Rowe argues that the connections are strong enough to assume that Luke was deliberately likening Paul to Socrates and reminding his readers of the “Athenian reputation for enforcing the death penalty upon those who brought in new gods.”[1] Paul was therefore fortunate not to receive the same treatment.