What do you suppose Paul...
Illustration
Object:
What do you suppose Paul would say if he showed up not on the Areopagus in ancient
Athens, but in Times Square? What if he undertook his teaching not on the brow of a
Greek hill surrounded by temples, but rather inside a Starbucks, handing out mocha lattes
all round?
"Americans, I see how extremely religious you are, in every way," Paul might begin. But instead of speaking of temples to unknown gods, he might say something like this: "I have observed how many of you are fond of saying, 'I'm spiritual, but not religious.' I'm aware how increasing numbers of you never cross the threshold of a church or synagogue or even a mosque, but spend hours browsing religious books at Barnes and Noble. Many of you wear crosses around your necks, but hardly know why: You finger them in moments of fear or anxiety, and feel vaguely comforted. You sit at home, channel-surfing the televangelists and religious talk shows, hoping to glean some spiritual comfort; but you never linger long enough to submit yourselves to their teachings. You have an insistent curiosity about things religious, and vow that one day you will do something about it. But somehow you never find the time ... you just never find the time."
"Americans, I see how extremely religious you are, in every way," Paul might begin. But instead of speaking of temples to unknown gods, he might say something like this: "I have observed how many of you are fond of saying, 'I'm spiritual, but not religious.' I'm aware how increasing numbers of you never cross the threshold of a church or synagogue or even a mosque, but spend hours browsing religious books at Barnes and Noble. Many of you wear crosses around your necks, but hardly know why: You finger them in moments of fear or anxiety, and feel vaguely comforted. You sit at home, channel-surfing the televangelists and religious talk shows, hoping to glean some spiritual comfort; but you never linger long enough to submit yourselves to their teachings. You have an insistent curiosity about things religious, and vow that one day you will do something about it. But somehow you never find the time ... you just never find the time."
