How to Overcome Cultural Secularism

In Acts 17, Paul finds himself in Athens, a city of intellectual individuals and idols. Paul becomes provoked by what he sees and he interacts with a city steeped in philosophical debate and cultural secularism. His simple, but effective approach offers several practical points for believers seeking to overcome cultural secularism today:

1. Understand the Context: Paul took time to pass through the city and observe the culture of Athens, noting their idolatrous altars and objects of worship. For believers today, it's crucial to understand the cultural context in which they live. This means being aware of favored worldviews, personal values, and beliefs that shape society. Context can vary between communities, towns, cities, states, and countries. Believers must make sure to spend time learning and understanding the context so they can be more effective in sharing the Gospel!

2. Respectfully Engage: Paul begins his engagement with the philosophers in a respectful manner. Before sharing the Gospel or his own message, he acknowledges the Athenians religiosity.  Christians must learn to engage with secular culture respectfully, thoughtfully, and genuinely. There is a spectrum to love and truth as it relates to evangelism. If a Christian shares truth without love, he/she will not be wrong in content, but the delivery will usually be abrasive and offensive. If a Christian solely loves and does not love, the Christian will tolerate things they should not. Believers must engage respectfully, but firmly hold to the Gospel of Christ.

3. Find a "Bridge": Paul referenced an altar to the "unknown god" to introduce the Gospel to the Athenians. Believers can seek common ground in conversations, finding points of agreement or shared values that can serve as a bridge to deeper discussions about faith. The bridge could be a believing sports player, a news event, etc. The possibilities are almost endless!

4. Present the Gospel Clearly: Paul articulated the Christian message clearly, emphasizing God's nature and the resurrection of Jesus. Christians should strive to communicate the core tenets of their faith in a way that is understandable and relevant to today's audiences. It's been said that the Gospel should be communicated in such a way that it can be understood by both a 6-year-old and a 60-year old. 
   
   
5. Be Prepared for Various Responses: Paul's message resulted in a three types of responses-- rejection/mocking, delay, and acceptance. Believers should be prepared for various reactions when sharing their faith, recognizing that not everyone will be receptive. Sadly, this is a normal part of the process. Take heart, God does not call you to make them decide. Rather, He asks that you be obedient and He promises to provide the increase.
   
   
6. Stick to the Hope of Resurrection: The resurrection of Jesus was not only the central point of his message, it was the very foundation. Aside from the hope of Jesus and the resurrection, we would be a hopeless people, most miserable. The resurrection is what gives us a hope for the future. Christians today can emphasize the hope and transformative power of the resurrection in their conversations, offering a meaningful perspective on life and eternity.

By applying these principles from Paul's experience in Athens, believers can effectively engage with and respond to cultural secularism in a thoughtful and impactful way, sharing the hope that is found in Jesus and the resurrection.

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