Quote:
Originally Posted by Evang.Benincasa
Can you show us with the Phaenomena what Paul meant? What I am saying is, I would like you to show us just how Paul used the Phaenomena to say what you are presenting above.
In Jesus name
Brother Benincasa
www.OnTimeJournal.com |
The apostle intends to refute both the serious and the popular philosophies of the Greeks,
yet he does not ridicule his listeners. Paul's warning of the imminent judgment of God has as goal the conversion of his audience by reasoned yet urgent appeal. And in order to convince his listeners the apostle must know well their beliefs and how he might lead the Athenians to the realization that their tenets are false and must change. Paul tests the spirit of the Athenians and shows them that it is not of the true God.
(
http://spindleworks.com/library/rfaber/aratus.htm)
He uses the popular Phaenomena as a launching point to show he is familiar with the writings and beliefs of the Greeks, and then to prove them false even by their own authorities. He uses other language of the Stoics and Epicureans. The poem I cited was not part of the Phaenomena, but nevertheless, was used by Paul in this setting. His intent was to convert them, not to drive them away or "beat them." He persuaded a few. Not the greatest of his revivals, but effective nonetheless.