Thoughts on Acts and Church Thoughts on Acts and Church HistoryHistory

John Oakes, PhdJohn Oakes, PhdJune 22, 2010June 22, 2010

The Agora in Athens

Acts 1:8 “You will be my witnesses to the ends of the earth”Acts 1:8 “You will be my witnesses to the ends of the earth”

How did they How did they do it? do it?

How can we How can we do it?do it?

The Marketplace in Corinth

What Were the Odds?What Were the Odds?

A public bathroom in Corinth

Why Did They Change the World/Why Did They Change the World/How Can We Change the World?How Can We Change the World?

Acts 5:39Acts 5:39

I. They knew Jesus. The personal effect of the I. They knew Jesus. The personal effect of the man Jesus of Nazareth. man Jesus of Nazareth.

II. Powerful truth-claims.II. Powerful truth-claims.

Those two alone were not enough Those two alone were not enough to sustain a movementto sustain a movement

Changing the World in Our TimeChanging the World in Our Time

III. Moral/Ethical superiority of the Christians. III. Moral/Ethical superiority of the Christians.

IV. They could successfully answer the hard questions.IV. They could successfully answer the hard questions. Intellectual superiority.Intellectual superiority.

V. Christianity gave dignity to all peopleV. Christianity gave dignity to all people The church had compassion like noone elseThe church had compassion like noone else

VI. Because God was with them (Acts 5:39)VI. Because God was with them (Acts 5:39)

I. The Life of Jesus: Knowing JesusI. The Life of Jesus: Knowing Jesus

Acts 4:1-21 Fear to Fearlessness.Acts 4:1-21 Fear to Fearlessness.

Acts 4:13 They took note that they had Acts 4:13 They took note that they had been with Jesus.been with Jesus.

Why was Paul transformed? Acts 9:1-16Why was Paul transformed? Acts 9:1-16

We need to meet Jesus on our road to We need to meet Jesus on our road to Damascus (or Irvine, or Brentwood, or Damascus (or Irvine, or Brentwood, or Malibu or….)Malibu or….)

II. Powerful Truth ClaimsII. Powerful Truth Claims Acts 2:22-24Acts 2:22-24

– Jesus fulfilled the OT Jesus fulfilled the OT propheciesprophecies

– Jesus worked signs, Jesus worked signs, wonders and miracleswonders and miracles

– Jesus was raised from Jesus was raised from the deadthe dead

Acts 3:11-16, 4:33, Acts 3:11-16, 4:33, 5:29-32, 13:26-355:29-32, 13:26-35

Acts 26:24-32 True Acts 26:24-32 True and Reasonableand Reasonable

III. Ethically and Morally They Were III. Ethically and Morally They Were Very Different. We need to be as well!!Very Different. We need to be as well!!

Acts 17:5-9Acts 17:5-9

Acts 19:17-20 Acts 19:17-20 Confronting the Confronting the world and its world and its ways.ways.

Acts 19:23-41 Acts 19:23-41 They confronted They confronted idolatryidolatry

Us today?Us today?

Marketplace, Corinth

The Acropolis in Corinth

Being Different Just Might Get Us Into TroubleBeing Different Just Might Get Us Into Trouble

A Little Riot in Ephesus

IV. Engage the World Intellectually With the IV. Engage the World Intellectually With the Christian World ViewChristian World View

Acts 17:16-34Acts 17:16-34

Paul in AthensPaul in Athens

We need to We need to confront the confront the enemy in the enemy in the Areopagus and Areopagus and in the Lecture in the Lecture Hall of Hall of TyrannusTyrannus

The Areopagus in Athens

The Lecture Hall of TyrannusThe Lecture Hall of Tyrannus

The Lecture Hall of UCLAThe Lecture Hall of UCLA

World ViewWorld View

One's world view is the One's world view is the perspective one uses to perspective one uses to process and interpret process and interpret information received about information received about the world.  the world. 

James W. Sire put it this James W. Sire put it this way, "A world view is a set way, "A world view is a set of presuppositions (ie. of presuppositions (ie. assumptions) which we hold assumptions) which we hold about the basic makeup of about the basic makeup of our world." our world." 

James W. Sire, James W. Sire, The Universe Next The Universe Next Door Door (InterVarsity Press, 1997)(InterVarsity Press, 1997)

A Jain World View

A “Good” World View DefinedA “Good” World View Defined

A. It is true.A. It is true. It is consistent with reality. It works.It is consistent with reality. It works.

B. It answers satisfactorily the questions people really B. It answers satisfactorily the questions people really want answered.want answered.What is prime reality/the ultimate cause/the nature of What is prime reality/the ultimate cause/the nature of

God?) God?) What is my value as a human being?What is my value as a human being?What happens to a person at death? What happens to a person at death? How do we know what is right and wrong? How do we know what is right and wrong? What is my purpose? What is my purpose? What is the nature of my relationship, with the "prime What is the nature of my relationship, with the "prime

reality?" reality?"

C. It causes those who hold to it to be better people C. It causes those who hold to it to be better people than they would otherwise have been if they held to than they would otherwise have been if they held to competing alternative world views.competing alternative world views.

The Hard QuestionsThe Hard Questions

Evil: What is Evil and Why is There EvilEvil: What is Evil and Why is There Evil

Why is There Suffering?Why is There Suffering?

The Problem of JusticeThe Problem of Justice

The Problem of Sin.The Problem of Sin.

Acts 17:16-34 Paul confronts Greek World ViewsActs 17:16-34 Paul confronts Greek World Views

God is Creator. He exists outside creation.God is Creator. He exists outside creation.– Disproves pantheism/Stoicism.Disproves pantheism/Stoicism.

God is close to us.God is close to us.– Disproves deism/Epicureanism.Disproves deism/Epicureanism.

God is personal and has given us an individual God is personal and has given us an individual purpose.purpose.

God will bring all of us to judgment. Evil will be God will bring all of us to judgment. Evil will be defeateddefeated– Disproves dualism/Gnosticism.Disproves dualism/Gnosticism.

Paul Confronts Greek World ViewsPaul Confronts Greek World Views

The Bible and Other World Views (cont.)The Bible and Other World Views (cont.)

Acts 17:16-34 Paul shares the gospel by Acts 17:16-34 Paul shares the gospel by arguing for the Christian World View.arguing for the Christian World View.– v. 22-23 Paul finds common ground.v. 22-23 Paul finds common ground.

– v. 24-28 Paul argues for the superiority and the v. 24-28 Paul argues for the superiority and the truth of the Christian world view as opposed to truth of the Christian world view as opposed to Epicureanism/pantheism and Stoicism/deismEpicureanism/pantheism and Stoicism/deism

– v. 28 Paul quotes from Aretas a Stoic philosopher. v. 28 Paul quotes from Aretas a Stoic philosopher. “ For we are his offspring.”“ For we are his offspring.”

– v. 29-31 Having laid the groundwork, Paul points v. 29-31 Having laid the groundwork, Paul points them to Jesus.them to Jesus.

– v. 32-34 Some, but not all were converted.v. 32-34 Some, but not all were converted.

Competing World Views for UsCompeting World Views for Us

Naturalism/MaterialismNaturalism/Materialism

PostmodernismPostmodernism

Pantheism/Eastern ReligionsPantheism/Eastern Religions

Islamic WorldviewIslamic Worldview

Other World Views: The Leading Philosophies Other World Views: The Leading Philosophies of Our Dayof Our Day

Naturalism/Scientism/MaterialismNaturalism/Scientism/Materialism

Postmodernism: The Loss of TruthPostmodernism: The Loss of Truth

Delos B. McKown:“Christianity is scientifically unsupported

and probably insupportable, philosophically suspect at best and disreputable at worst, and historically fraudulent.”

Naturalism/Scientism/MaterialismNaturalism/Scientism/Materialism

The belief that the only reliable or valid The belief that the only reliable or valid instrument to deciding the truth or even instrument to deciding the truth or even the value of any proposition is the the value of any proposition is the scientific method.scientific method.

No basis for ethics or morality, no No basis for ethics or morality, no supernatural, no God, no truth (except supernatural, no God, no truth (except that found by science), no consciousness, that found by science), no consciousness, no “I.” Justice is a figment of our no “I.” Justice is a figment of our imagination.imagination.

MaterialismMaterialism ““We exist as material beings in a material world, all We exist as material beings in a material world, all

of whose phenomena are the consequences of of whose phenomena are the consequences of material relations among material entities." In a word, material relations among material entities." In a word, the public needs to accept materialism, which means the public needs to accept materialism, which means that they must put God in the trash can of history that they must put God in the trash can of history where such myths belong.”where such myths belong.”

Richard LewontinRichard Lewontin Retrospective essay on Carl Sagan in the January 9, 1997 Retrospective essay on Carl Sagan in the January 9, 1997 New York Review of BooksNew York Review of Books,,

Questions Science Can AnswerQuestions Science Can Answer

When?When? What?What? Where?Where? How many?How many? By what means?By what means?

Questions Science Cannot Answer:Questions Science Cannot Answer:(That Christianity Does Answer)(That Christianity Does Answer)

– Why am I here?Why am I here?– Is that the right thing to do?Is that the right thing to do?– How valuable am I?How valuable am I?– Does God exist? Does God act (theism)?Does God exist? Does God act (theism)?– Will that God respond if I pray?Will that God respond if I pray?– Do supernatural events (miracles) happen?Do supernatural events (miracles) happen?

- Why is there evil and suffering in the world? - Why is there evil and suffering in the world?

Materialism is Patently FalseMaterialism is Patently False

If Materialism/Naturalism is right then;If Materialism/Naturalism is right then;

““I” do not exist. Consciousness is just I” do not exist. Consciousness is just random moving around of chemicals.random moving around of chemicals.

No soul, no spirit, no non-physical reality.No soul, no spirit, no non-physical reality.

Life has no value. Human beings have no Life has no value. Human beings have no value. What is value?value. What is value?

Love is chemicals moving around (vs. God Love is chemicals moving around (vs. God is love)is love)

Does Naturalism tend to make its believers better Does Naturalism tend to make its believers better people?people?

If the naturalist is right then:If the naturalist is right then:

Good and evil are meaningless ideas.Good and evil are meaningless ideas.

Our purpose, if it exists at all, is to pass on Our purpose, if it exists at all, is to pass on our DNA.our DNA.

Any kind of sexual behavior is as right as Any kind of sexual behavior is as right as any other. Stealing is probably good.any other. Stealing is probably good.

There is nothing inherently evil about There is nothing inherently evil about genocide, racism, slavery, etc.genocide, racism, slavery, etc.

Postmodernism: The Loss of TruthPostmodernism: The Loss of Truth

Truth, if such a thing exists, is the property Truth, if such a thing exists, is the property of culture. There is no absolute truth. All of culture. There is no absolute truth. All truth is relative. It is created by societies. truth is relative. It is created by societies. There is no ultimate moral authority or There is no ultimate moral authority or moral absolute. moral absolute.

Problems With PostmodernismProblems With Postmodernism

Self-refuting.Self-refuting.– If nothing is true, then postmodernism is If nothing is true, then postmodernism is

not true.not true.– Its authors insist on authorial privilege.Its authors insist on authorial privilege.

I do not care what they say, some things are I do not care what they say, some things are just true.just true.

Either God is real or he is not. Even if I Either God is real or he is not. Even if I cannot prove it one way or another.cannot prove it one way or another.

Hindu World ViewHindu World View

Maya. The physical world is an illusion.Maya. The physical world is an illusion.

Brahman. Universal soul.Brahman. Universal soul.

The goal: Nirvana; oneness with the The goal: Nirvana; oneness with the universal soul which is within yourself.universal soul which is within yourself.

The Hindu world view has man looking The Hindu world view has man looking inward, not outward.inward, not outward.

The Four Noble Truths of SiddharthaThe Four Noble Truths of Siddhartha

Suffering is not getting what one wants.Suffering is not getting what one wants.

The cause of suffering is desire which leads The cause of suffering is desire which leads to rebirth.to rebirth.

The way to end suffering is to end desire.The way to end suffering is to end desire.

The way to the end of desire and of The way to the end of desire and of suffering is the eight-fold path.suffering is the eight-fold path.

Buddhism encourages dispassion, not Buddhism encourages dispassion, not compassion.compassion.

Islamic Worldview:

God is very distant from mankind

In Islam, Allah determines everything, even who will choose to follow him.

2:142, 6:39 6:125

Inshallah God willing. It is God’s will that people suffer..

Islamic TheologyIslamic Theology “ “Surely good deeds take away Surely good deeds take away

evil deeds” (11:114).evil deeds” (11:114).Salvation by own effort Salvation by own effort

(40:9, 39:61, 7:43)(40:9, 39:61, 7:43) Charity atones for sinsCharity atones for sins

(2:271,277)(2:271,277) Earn grace.Earn grace. Earn favor of Allah.Earn favor of Allah. Earn salvation.Earn salvation. Earn paradise.Earn paradise.

Islam: Salvation is earned through the efforts of those who were pre-selected by Allah to inhabit a very sensual paradise.

Christianity: Salvation is granted by the grace of a loving God to those who, through faith and repentance and baptism accept that love.

SummarySummary The theologies of world religions are The theologies of world religions are

fundamentally and diametrically opposed to one fundamentally and diametrically opposed to one another. Many paths to the same God is a another. Many paths to the same God is a ludicrous philosophy.ludicrous philosophy.

The truth of the Bible is confirmed byThe truth of the Bible is confirmed by– Clear evidence of inspiration (fulfilled prophecy, types Clear evidence of inspiration (fulfilled prophecy, types

and foreshadows, historical accuracy, scientific and foreshadows, historical accuracy, scientific evidence, etc…) evidence, etc…)

– Public miracles worked by Moses, Elijah and others, and Public miracles worked by Moses, Elijah and others, and especially by Jesus Christ (Hebrews 2:3,4).especially by Jesus Christ (Hebrews 2:3,4).

A Question: Who reaches out to whom?

InitiativeInitiative

Human approachHuman approach Truth Truth

God God GodGod

Mankind Mankind Mankind Mankind

Works Salvation: Man reaches out to God.

IslamHinduismJainaSikkhismGnosticismNew AgeBuddhism?

Salvation by Grace: God reaches out to man.

JudaismChristianity

The Christian World ViewThe Christian World View

1. The physical world is: a. real b. created out of nothing 1. The physical world is: a. real b. created out of nothing (ex nihilo) and c. essentially good.(ex nihilo) and c. essentially good.

2. There exists an unseen spiritual reality which is not limited 2. There exists an unseen spiritual reality which is not limited to or defined by the physical reality. Human beings have a to or defined by the physical reality. Human beings have a spiritual aspect to their nature.spiritual aspect to their nature.

3. The creator of both the physical and spiritual realm is the 3. The creator of both the physical and spiritual realm is the God who reveals himself in the Bible.God who reveals himself in the Bible.

4. Human beings have both a physical and a spiritual nature, 4. Human beings have both a physical and a spiritual nature, The spiritual nature is more essential as it is eternal.The spiritual nature is more essential as it is eternal.

5. God is not easily defined but he can be characterized by 5. God is not easily defined but he can be characterized by certain qualities. God is a person. God is love, God is just, certain qualities. God is a person. God is love, God is just, God is holy, God is omniscient, omnipotent and God is holy, God is omniscient, omnipotent and omnipresent.omnipresent.

The Christian World View (cont.)The Christian World View (cont.)

6. Although all God’s creation, including the physical world is 6. Although all God’s creation, including the physical world is good, evil does exist. Such evil is the result of freedom of good, evil does exist. Such evil is the result of freedom of will given to created beings and their subsequent decision will given to created beings and their subsequent decision to use that freedom to rebel--to “sin” to use that freedom to rebel--to “sin”

7. Because of God’s justice and his holiness, those who 7. Because of God’s justice and his holiness, those who choose to rebel against him will ultimately be judged and choose to rebel against him will ultimately be judged and separated from God for eternity.separated from God for eternity.

8. The solution to evil, to sin and its eternal consequences is 8. The solution to evil, to sin and its eternal consequences is provided by God through the atoning substitutionary provided by God through the atoning substitutionary sacrifice of Jesus Christ.sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

Our job in the rest of this course is to compare this world Our job in the rest of this course is to compare this world view to that of other religions and to analyze which is the view to that of other religions and to analyze which is the “best” world view.“best” world view.

Christianity Offers Solutions to the Big Problems of Christianity Offers Solutions to the Big Problems of Human BeingsHuman Beings

The Problem of EvilThe Problem of Evil

The Problem of Suffering The Problem of Suffering

The Problem of DeathThe Problem of Death

The Christian World View Has Given Us:The Christian World View Has Given Us:

ScienceScience

Abolition of Slavery (Wilberforce)Abolition of Slavery (Wilberforce)

Civil RightsCivil Rights

Women’s RightsWomen’s Rights

Christian groups do a majority of all Christian groups do a majority of all benevolent work in the world (James 1:27, benevolent work in the world (James 1:27, Micah 6:8)Micah 6:8)

Two Good QuestionsTwo Good Questions

Does evil exist?Does evil exist?

If God is all-loving and all-powerful and all-If God is all-loving and all-powerful and all-good, then why is there evil?good, then why is there evil?

The answer: God’s love.The answer: God’s love.

Free Will: God Gives Us a ChoiceFree Will: God Gives Us a Choice

Why? Because he loves us.Why? Because he loves us.

The result: We rebelled and brought evil into the The result: We rebelled and brought evil into the world. Is this God’s fault? What is the alternative?world. Is this God’s fault? What is the alternative?

Deuteronomy 30:15-20Deuteronomy 30:15-20

Free Will, An Illustration: The Prodigal Son

Apologetics and Evil: What are the Apologetics and Evil: What are the alternatives?alternatives?

Dualism: Good and Evil in an unending Dualism: Good and Evil in an unending more or less equal balancemore or less equal balance

Pantheism: The physical world is evil. Evil Pantheism: The physical world is evil. Evil is being tied down to the physical—it is is being tied down to the physical—it is missing the god-likeness in you.missing the god-likeness in you.

Naturalism: There is no evil.Naturalism: There is no evil.

Postmodernism: Evil??? Postmodernism: Evil???

Determinism/Fate God is the cause of evil.Determinism/Fate God is the cause of evil.

Christianity and the Problem of EvilChristianity and the Problem of Evil

Evil is very much real. Quite indirectly, it is Evil is very much real. Quite indirectly, it is the product of God’s love. God loved us so the product of God’s love. God loved us so much that he loved us and that he gave us a much that he loved us and that he gave us a choice. We chose evil, and thus evil came choice. We chose evil, and thus evil came into the world.into the world.

Remember your alternatives: Remember your alternatives: – Predestination/Determinism God is the cause of Predestination/Determinism God is the cause of

evil.evil.– Deny evil existsDeny evil exists– Physical creation is evil, but you are GodPhysical creation is evil, but you are God– An unending battle/balance between good and evil.An unending battle/balance between good and evil.

The Problem of SinThe Problem of Sin

God’s love met God’s love met God’s justice at God’s justice at the cross. As far the cross. As far as we are as we are concerned, love concerned, love won.won.

Romans 3:21-26Romans 3:21-26

Other world Other world views….views….

How, then, should we interact with members of other How, then, should we interact with members of other religions?religions?

Find common ground.Find common ground.

Give respect where respect is due.Give respect where respect is due.

Acknowledge the good and do not make personal Acknowledge the good and do not make personal attacks—especially toward revered people.attacks—especially toward revered people.

Highlight distinctions in world view/theology and Highlight distinctions in world view/theology and introduce them to Jesus Christ.introduce them to Jesus Christ.

This is EXACTLY what Paul did in Acts 17:22-34This is EXACTLY what Paul did in Acts 17:22-34

V. The Church Met Needs/We Need V. The Church Met Needs/We Need to Meet Needsto Meet Needs

Acts 2:44-45 All the believers were together and Acts 2:44-45 All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling…had everything in common. Selling…

Acts 3:6-10 Silver and gold we do not have, but Acts 3:6-10 Silver and gold we do not have, but what we have we will give. In the name of Jesus, what we have we will give. In the name of Jesus, get up and walk. What a testimony. We do not get up and walk. What a testimony. We do not have much but what we have we will freely give.have much but what we have we will freely give.

Acts 4:32-35 All needs were met.Acts 4:32-35 All needs were met.

Acts 5:12-16 Meeting needs, healing.Acts 5:12-16 Meeting needs, healing.

Christianity and The Problem of SufferingChristianity and The Problem of Suffering

Suffering is not evil. Sin is evil, but much Suffering is not evil. Sin is evil, but much suffering is caused by our choice to sin.suffering is caused by our choice to sin.

Not all suffering is due to sin. (Job, John 9)Not all suffering is due to sin. (Job, John 9)

Christianity’s answer to suffering: Christianity’s answer to suffering: Compassion. Jeremiah 22:15-16, James 1:27Compassion. Jeremiah 22:15-16, James 1:27

Jesus Wept Jesus Wept

Matt 9:35-38Matt 9:35-38

Julian “the apostate.” (332-363) Julian “the apostate.” (332-363)

““Atheism (i.e. Christian faith) has been Atheism (i.e. Christian faith) has been specially advanced through the loving specially advanced through the loving service rendered to strangers, and through service rendered to strangers, and through their care for the burial of the dead. It is a their care for the burial of the dead. It is a scandal that there is not a single Jew who is scandal that there is not a single Jew who is a beggar, and that the godless Galileans a beggar, and that the godless Galileans care not only for their own poor but for ours care not only for their own poor but for ours as well; while those who belong to us look as well; while those who belong to us look in vain for the help that we should render in vain for the help that we should render them.”them.”

VI. If God is With Us….VI. If God is With Us….

Acts 5:38-39Acts 5:38-39