When the Apostle Paul found himself in front of the Athenian Supreme Court with an opportunity to reach the most powerful men in Athens with the gospel, he drew on his knowledge of their culture.
In pressing home a point regarding the relationship of man to God Paul said, “…for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we also are His offspring.'” (Acts 17:28).
Paul was well-read. The first part of the quote, “for in Him we live and move and exist…,” is from the 6th century B.C. Greek philospher/poet Epimenides.
The second part is from the fifth line of a poem by the 3rd century B.C. Greek poet, Aratus, entitled Phaenomena. Here is the first stanza of the poem:
“Let us begin with Zeus, whom we mortals never leave unspoken.
For every street, every market-place is full of Zeus.
Even the sea and the harbour are full of this deity.
Everywhere everyone is indebted to Zeus.
For we indeed are his offspring…”
Poetry is no longer the primary cultural medium. Movies and television are, and movies, more than prime-time television, convey the philosophical themes of our culture.
This is one of the reasons I write movie reviews here and have taught on how to watch and understand movies in my church. You never know when you will find yourself in Athens. GS