WHAT IS THE QUESTION?

Baca: Acts 17:16-34

For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. So you are ignorant of the very thing you worship—and this is what I am going to proclaim to you. (Acts 17:23)

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Bacaan tahunan: 1 Chronicles 7-10

Why do people sometimes reject the Gospel message are we? Is there anything wrong with the story we tell? Or is there something wrong with the way we are delivering?

In a mission trip, Paul arrived in Athens. City of Athens is the center of Greek culture and philosophy. Many temples and statues of Greek gods stand majestic. Advanced civilization; evolving science. Because of this, the latest news is the only material that conversation and they say they want to hear (verse 21). Therefore, to preach an important message to plain packaging and patronizing tone of the community like that of course can result in rejection. Paul is aware of this reality. So, he contextualize the gospel in such a way that's understandable. Its contents remain the same, namely about the work of God's salvation through Jesus Christ. The way he wore when preaching the Gospel to the Jews is different from when he was in Athens. He starts from a place where there is an altar with the inscription: "To the unknown God" (verse 23). He started the tradition of growing and rooted in place. It is an effective means. From there the entrance of the Gospel message.

Our country, Indonesia, has a different culture, tradition and local wisdom. Learn it is a good thing. Understanding of local cultural context is a good bridge. Then, we pleaded with the wisdom of God, we can select and sort the good from the place that is not good for use as an entry point for evangelism. - ALS

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