Paul's Visit to Athens

I've been thinking lately about the power of  consistent scripture study.  Without that steady influence in our lives, we soon find our testimony lacking, our ideas changing to meet what we learn from other sources.  Alma 31:5 states that the preaching of the word "had more powerful effect upon the minds of the people than the sword, or anything else".  Even the threat of death couldn't always convince the people to do justly--it was the scriptures that had the most power.  In other places we learn that a study of the scriptures will help us know what to do (see 2 Nephi 32:3) and will persuade us to do good (2 Nephi 33:10).

Paul met some interesting people in Athens.  Some didn't believe and were envious of his success.  On the other hand, the people of Berea, who had been studying the scriptures, were ready to receive the word, and "therefore many of them believed" (Acts 17: 12).

That Paul was in Athens was significant, for Athens had just recently been an incredible city, full of beautiful architecture and great philosophical and intellectual minds. They were proud of their heritage, but in everything they worshipped they had forgotten to include God.  Later Paul said, "Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit" (Colossians 2:8).  Acts 17 recounts Paul's visit to two of these Athenian Philosophies...

Epicurus was a philosopher who taught that the world came about by chance, not design, and that man's best aim was to live in a state that afforded the greatest pleasure and absence of sorrow.  The Epicureans looked for long-term, full satisfaction.

The Stoics, another group, were a bit different in that they did believe in a supreme governing power.  They believed it best to accept conditions as they were rather than trying to change them for their benefit.  The phrase "for we are also [God's] offspring" (which Paul used when he was teaching them) was found in some of their philosophical works.

When Paul came and found their inscription "TO THE UNKNOWN GOD" (Acts 17:23), He attempted to teach them the true nature of God by beginning with what they already knew--that they were His offspring. He included in that teaching the reality of a premortal life, and its affect on the life we live on earth.

This life truly is an inheritance, a privilege based on past performance and choices.  Choosing to follow God, we were given a way to become even more like Him--to come to earth to receive a body and gain experience.  In Acts it says that God determined before the bounds and time of our habitation here on earth (See Acts 17:26).  You are supposed to be where you are, at this specific time in history.

As Paul continues his teaching, the doctrine that throws them all off is that of the resurrection.  They mocked him for proposing it.  I was surprised on my mission that many people felt the same way...they felt that it was unnecessary and didn't even believe the Apostles witness that Christ was resurrected.  I love the teaching in the Book of Mormon,

 7And if Christ had not risen from the dead, or have broken the bands of death that the grave should have no victory, and that death should have no ^asting, there could have been no resurrection.

 8But there is a ^aresurrection, therefore the grave hath no victory, and the sting of ^bdeath is swallowed up in Christ. (Mosiah 16:7-8)

But there is a resurrection.  And there is a known God, and there are scriptures full of truth.  The Athenians had much to admire...let's just hope some of them remembered what Paul had to say.