Part 2 of 2. Taught by Ann Brown, at UCCF South Team Days March 09.
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In the Acts 17 account of Mars Hill, Paul gives us a brilliant example of how to engage with the surrounding culture:
- He was greatly distressed by it
- He studied their culture and uses a cultural cue v23 (possibly a classical sculpture) to begin his address
- He reinforces his argument by quoting from the Stoic philosopher Aratus, v28
- He demonstrates the inadequacy of the Athenians’ polytheistic worldview – focuses on the point of tension and highlights their inconsistency.
This is what Francis Schaeffer called “taking the roof off someone’s argument”. Every non-Christian protects themselves from the reality of life and the gospel by building a roof over themselves. It is helpful to very gently prise the roof off, by finding the inconsistencies. Visual art & apologetics are a brilliant bridge builder in this.
4 different ways to use visual art as such a bridge builder: Read the rest of this entry »
