Day 07 - Acropolis, Mars Hill

This morning, we said goodbye to our friends in Turkey and set out to continue our journey in Greece.

After landing in Athens, we made our way to one of the most famous places on earth, the Acropolis of Athens. On top of the Acropolis is the Parthenon, dedicated to the Greek goddess Athena. She was the goddess of craftsmanship, wisdom, and war (among a whole host of other things).

In 51 AD, the Apostle Paul walked around this area. As he walked the streets, he was overwhelmed by the number of temples, statues, and inscriptions all dedicated to the gods and goddesses. 

Even ancient historians of this time write about the religious zeal of the Athenians. Pausianus (143–176 AD), from modern-day Turkey, traveled through Athens and commented that there were more statues of gods in Athens than in all the rest of Greece combined. He adds that they had an altar for Mercy, another for Shame, another for Fame, and another even for Desire (or lust). They had altars dedicated to twelve gods at once, to unknown gods, to unmet gods, forgotten gods.

Acts 17:16 records that “While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols.”

It was just below the Acropolis, on the Areoapagus (“Hill of Aries” or “Mar’s Hill”), that Paul engaged the top philosophers of his day. Some of these even began to follow Christ. Dionysus, one of the members of the Areoapagus, one of these new disciples, may have also become the first pastor (or bishop) of the first church that emerged in Athens after Paul’s visit here.

We concluded our day reflecting on the power of the Gospel to transform the ancient world. We were challenged to consider what this could look like in the world in which we live. 

As the sun descended in the background, we sat in this place, in the presence of God, listening to His invitation to our next steps in the journey.

May His Kingdom Come on Earth, as it is in Heaven…

Jerrell Jobe