Tag: idols

  • Idols – Stumbling in Christian Liberty – 1 Corinthians 8

    Idols – Stumbling in Christian Liberty – 1 Corinthians 8

    The Problem of Idols

    .. we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no other God but one.

    1 Corinthians 8:4b NKJV

    Cultural Clashes of Early Christians

    In his first letter to the saints of the church at Corinth the Apostle instructs these new believers in cultural freedom and expected behavior of Christ followers as witness to the community in which we live.

    Paul has already addressed a need for church unity between the Jews and Hellenists, as well as their obligation of humility modeling Christ our Lord.

    He has just addressed the rampant immorality of church members and guidelines concerning marriage and singleness.

    Now Paul will take on the general celebratory festive culture of the city where many feasts and pilgrimages provide indulgence of the flesh at temples of idols for which Corinth is famous.

    Some Bible translations begin this 3-chapter section with helpful headings pointing to a question the Apostle received from a saint in Corinth to which the Apostle responds in his letter to Corinth:
    • Concerning Food Offered to Idols
    • Food Sacrificed to Idols
    • Be Sensitive to Conscience
    • Take Care with Your Liberty

    1 Corinthians 8:

    About food offered to idols: We know that “we all have knowledge.”

    Knowledge inflates with pride, but love builds up.

    If anyone thinks he knows anything, he does not yet know it as he ought to know it. But if anyone loves God, he is known by Him.


    One God, NO idols

    Paul immediately states true doctrine as their measure of response:

    For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”—

    yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist,

    and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.

    1 Corinthians 8:5-6 ESV

    God and idolatry

    From the Commandments of YHWH which the Hebrew believers are bound to obey:

    5:7 לֹא יִהְיֶה־לְךָ אֱלֹהִים אֲחֵרִים עַל־פָּנָיַ׃

    You shall not bow down to them or serve them;

    for I the LORD your God am a jealous God..

    Deuteronomy 5:9a ESV

    The Apostle Paul, Hebrew of Hebrews as he sometimes describes himself, must also address social behaviors of the Hellenist (Greek and Roman) believers about how their Gospel grace intersects with the Law and Commandments of Almighty God.

    Pushback! Whether AD 55 or AD 2025, modeling religious freedom in a community all-inclusive of every idol and practically every sin challenges cultural perceptions concerning our witness of Jesus Christ.


    So what advice does the Apostle offer?

    Paul provides examples of most of the people we meet both in the worship community of the Church and community gatherings where we live.

    In other words he instructs us to look at those around us, for all are not alike.

    But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.

    1 Corinthians 8:9 KJV

    WHY?

    Prepositions: 
    he & brothers also applies to she and sisters (in Christ)
    *in the AD 1st century men only addressed other men, husbands addressed only their own wife, who could address other women.

    1 Corinthians 8:7-12 Berean Literal Bible

    • What is my witness?
    • Are any of us wounding a weak conscience of someone seeking Christ?

    Take Heed – βλέπω – Strong’s G991 – blepō

    The leader of your local Sunday gathering receives and reads a letter from the very founder of your church.

    Do your ears perk up? Is the Apostle’s coming exhortation and instruction something important? Could Paul’s examples point to some you know well?

    metaph. to see with the mind’s eye

    • to have (the power of) understanding
    • to discern mentally, observe, perceive, discover, understand
    • to turn the thoughts or direct the mind to a thing, to consider, contemplate, to look at, to weigh carefully, examine

    ‘You with eyes to see and ears to hear,’ Jesus would say.

    NOT everyone worshiping with you will see or hear the Spirit speak to what is right and what is true.

    Paul has already introduced this watchful humility of self to the Corinthians in working out their salvation in daily life.

    For consider G991 your calling, brothers, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble.

    According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each man must be careful G991 how he builds on it.

    The Apostle is laying a foundation here in Corinth not simply for a second letter which Paul will send, but more importantly for other reliable church leaders, specifically Timothy who Paul will mention later.

    the Stumbling Blocks of culture

    But see to it that this authority of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.

    1 Corinthians 8:9 LSB

    Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall.

    1 Corinthians 10:12 LSB


    For if someone sees you, who have knowledge, dining in an idol’s temple, will not his conscience, if he is weak, be built up to eat things sacrificed to idols?

    1 Corinthians 8:10 LSB

    And because of your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?

    But when you thus sin against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ.

    1 Corinthians 8:12 NKJV

    Strong exhortation against a free attitude toward idolatry!

    And Paul’s clear conscience and brief conclusion to this one instance of food sacrificed to idols:

    “Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.


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  • Approaching Athens 2 – Addressing gods and goddesses

    Approaching Athens 2 – Addressing gods and goddesses

    Acropolis - in Athens ruins from ancient Greece
    acropolis comes from the Greek words ἄκρον (akron, “highest point, extremity”) and πόλις (polis, “city”).
    So Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, “Men of Athens, I observe that you are very religious in all respects. – Acts 17:22

    The Apostle’s introduction and approach are most gracious in addressing a crowd of men whose religious celebrations of their gods and goddesses would seem most sinful to every Jew in Athens.


    Addressing Athena & the men who idolize her

    The Apostle Paul, a Roman citizen who has also been speaking with the Jews of Athens has been brought to the Areopagus in town to address a ruling council of Hellenist leaders and crowds of interested listeners. His already spirit provoked about the overt and godless idolatry he observed [v.16]

    Statue of the goddess Athena - powerful namesake of Athens

    Athena, goddess of the city is prominent to all but she is just one of many revered gods and goddesses of the myths of ancient Greece.

    Once the Apostle Paul begins proclaiming the gospel to the men of Athens in the agora the apostle to the Gentiles is brought to the areopagus.

    The Areopagus a rocky height in the city of Athens, opposite the western end of the Acropolis toward the west to which these men of the city agora have brought Paul is not only an ancient military outpost but has an idolic connection to Greek mythology as well.

    Ἄρειος πάγος – From Ares

    (the name of the Greek deity of war)

    Recall, however, that Rome has long-established its rule of law and officials in the FREE ROMAN CITY of Athens ACHAIA.
    

    The Hill of Mars, Roman god of War

    Allow me to set the mythological stage of the GREEK & ROMAN gods behind the history of Athenian & Roman worship and festivals with music suited to the continuing 'religion' celebrating the passions of men as idols of worship.
    Mars Bringer of War – Listen

    This hill belonged to (Ares) Mars and was called Mar’s Hill; so called, because, as the story went, Mars, having slain Halirrhothius, son of Neptune, for the attempted violation of his daughter Alicippe, was tried for the murder here before twelve gods as judges.

    Lexicon :: Strong’s G697 – areios pagos – BlueLetterBible.org commentary on Mars Hill

    We cannot fully appreciate the dilemma and provocation of the spirit of the Apostle to the gentiles without recognizing as Paul did the seriousness of the sinful culture of idolatry of these men of Athens to whom he now will address himself concerning this ‘strange teaching’ of One God and the resurrection.

    So before we proceed with Paul’s speech let’s take a quick look at the mythology behind these compelling legends of gods such as Mars, Neptune, Zeus, Apollo and goddesses such as their patron mother of Athens – Athena.


    Thomas Cahill - SAILIING THE WINE DARK SEA - Why the Greeks Matter

    ancient Greek gods & goddesses

    (Try to keep score on the who’s doing what with whom as best you can.)

    As earlier in Approaching Athena the ruling goddess of Athens I will mostly consult the extensive research of historian Thomas Cahill. – RH

    Lord Zeus & other gods

    Zeus, who controlled rain and clouds.. ..was Lord of the Sky and greatest of gods, but not the oldest.” [p.17]

    Mount Olympus, highest peak in Greece

    12 Olympians (including Zeus) ruled from ‘heaven’ atop Mount Olympus.

    These Olympians had overthrown prior gods called the Titans.

    Before that, according to Greek mythology, the TITANS had been formed by FATHER HEAVEN and MOTHER EARTH.

    Father Heaven and Mother Earth had emerged from:

    (Pay close attention now)

    primordial CHAOS whose

    2 children: DARKNESS and DEATH

    gave birth to LIGHT and LOVE

    NIGHT is the mother of DAY

    earth rotating

    which made possible the appearance of FATHER HEAVEN and MOTHER EARTH.

    δεισιδαίμων Scandalous religious worship of gods

    The Olympian Zeus was son of the Titan god Chronos. ZEUS, who has taken the lordship of the throne of heaven, is known for ‘perpetually falling in love, wooing and usually raping beautiful women, both mortal and immortal, who would then give birth to gods and demigods… [Sailing the Wine-Dark Sea, p.17]

    The goddess Hera is Zeus’ wife! And HERA naturally gets jealous. Plus in an additional soap-opera-esque twist, the goddess Hera is also Zeus’ sister!

    Statue of the goddess Athena - powerful namesake of Athens

    IF (unlike Paul) you are unaware of where ATHENA fits in here, this hometown goddess is one of the 12 Olympians which include:

    Zeus, Poseidon, Hades, Hera, Demeter, Aphrodite, Athena, Artemis, Apollo, Ares, Hephaestus, Hermes.

    Without pursuing these Greek gods and goddesses further (many long forgotten, as Paul & Roman inscriptions will note) their idolic family-tree and extra-worldly adventures come from ancient Greek literature, including Theogony, a poem by Hesiod from ~700 B.C. 

    The Hellene Pax Romana from the bringer of War

    The Parthenon in Athens a place to honor and worship all the gods

    Who are the ROMAN gods of the Roman free city of Athens?

    Derived from the Greek words ‘πᾶν’ pan – all, and ‘θεός’ theos – god, pantheon literally means ‘of all gods’.

    The British Museum [source for the following list of gods]

    King of the gods is Zeus – or his Roman equivalent, Jupiter – who rules over Mount Olympus and is the god of thunder and lightning, as well as law and order.

    Hera or Juno.. is the goddess of marriage, childbirth and fertility.

    Ares or Mars
    This Romano-British statuette shows Mars, the god of war, fully decked out in his characteristic armour, missing the original spear and shield he would once have held.

    Athena or Minerva – Ares’ [Mars’] half-sister is the Greek goddess Athena. Goddess of reason, handicraft, wisdom, and war, she is the daughter of Zeus

    Aphrodite or Venus [very popular idol of men and women alike in every century]
    Goddess of love, sex, and beauty, Aphrodite – or Venus – is said to have emerged from the white foam generated when the Titan Cronos [father of ZEUS] threw the severed testicles of his father, Ouranos, into the sea.

    Aphrodite is an ancient Greek goddess associated with love, lust, beauty, pleasure, passion, procreation, and as her syncretized Roman goddess counterpart Venus, desire, sex, fertility, prosperity, and victory.

    Hermes or Mercury
    The messenger of the gods was Hermes, known as Mercury in ancient Roman religion, and he was also a pastoral god, protecting livestock and travellers.

    Do you recall how on their first missionary journey they thought that Paul was Hermes who spoke for Zeus i.e. Barnabas?
    And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city [Lystra in Pamphylia], brought oxen and garlands to the gates, and was wanting to offer sacrifice with the crowds. – Acts of the Apostles 14:13
    YOU could learn much more about these Greek and Roman gods, many long forgotten -- and never gain any more wisdom of the One God who sent men like Paul into all the world with the Gospel of the Savior of sinners and hope of the resurrection, Christ JESUS!
    

    Springtime in Athens

    Disclaimer: Although this single illustration of typical events in Roman-ruled Athens is extra-Biblical and may not have taken place specifically during Paul's visit, I provide general descriptions mostly from SAILING THE WINE-DARK SEA to set the cultural stage for Paul's speech with some level of the Apostle's 1st century understanding of his audience. 
    
    Paul's stop in Athens may have been in A.D. 51, perhaps even in the spring.
    Claudius, Emperor of Rome, had changed the calendar back in A.D. 46 and by A.D. 43 had conquered much of Europe including Great Britain. - RH

    A classical culture that wasn’t what you thought.

    The ANCIENT 5th century B.C. cultural of Athens had been that of a ‘democracy’ dependent on slaves. Democracy for ‘all’ was for ‘free’ MEN only, and that only of two basic Greek higher classes, one a ‘high office’ and the others ‘lower’ offices – a sort of competing middle class of free men who directly ruled over the affairs of Athens.

    Athenians probably numbered no more than a quarter million, of which as many as 100,000 may have been slaves.. This would leave a citizen population of little more than twenty percent.

    ‘Why the Greeks Matter’ p.115

    The political experiment of Athenian democracy (of its 20% citizenry) would end, of course, with their conquering by Alexander the Great. Later a similar political experiment of a Roman Republic would also fail as conquering heroes of the people made themselves to be Caesars and gods of the people.

    Europeans.. are full of spirit but are somewhat lacking in intelligence and skill.. Asians.. though intelligent and skilled.. lack spirit.. The race of the Greeks, however, which occupies the center of the earth.. being both spirited and intelligent.. Thus does this race.. continue to be capable of ruling all humanity.

    (Of course no sensible proponent of democracy could today speak of race rather than culture or imply any inequality of those incapable of governing themselves. Let the humanist religion of philosophy bring reason to all religions of humankind with equal participation of all flesh in the rituals of all gods celebrated together in the pax of humanity.
    
    But this of course is a 21st c. religious take on ancient wise ways of 'classical' philosophers such as the excerpt quoted here from Cahill.) - RH
    excerpt [The Politician and the Playwright p. 129 – How to Rule] from ARISTOTLE
    Picture the Classical Greek citizens of Athens (and their slaves)or Hellenist Athenians in built back better ruins of their past with a Roman citizen Paul brought to their curious attention in A.D. 51:

    “The continual buzz of conversation, the orotund sound of the orators, the shrill shouts from the symposia–this steady drumbeat of opinion, controversary, and conflict could everywhere be heard. The agora [marketplace].. was an everyday marketplace of ideas..

    The word the Athenians used for their Assembly was Ekklēsia, the same word used in the New Testament for Church..”

    Thomas Cahill – Sailing the Wine-Dark Sea p.118
    Dionysus
(Bacchus)
God of wine, vegetation, fertility, festivity, ritual madness, religious ecstasy, and theatre

    Hellenist worship

    At the springtime Dionysia, the Athenian festival in honor of Dionysus, three days.. began with a solemn religious procession of leading citizens, distinguished visitors, and all the choruses.. led by officials carrying.. sculpture of erect penises, symbols of the god, to his temple…

    Why the Greeks Matter, Thomas Cahill pp. 129-130

    Into the this idolatry walks a Roman citizen, Paul, who is invited to address the assembly of leading men of Athens, to whom the Apostle begins his logical argument with exceeding grace.

    the UNKNOWN GOD

    The inscription begins "whether god or goddess" (si deus si dea), a phrase indicating that the deity is unknown. Often there would be a request that followed ("Whether you are a god or goddess that rules over Rome, grant us...").
    Whether god or goddess..

    Acts 17 – Paul Addresses the Areopagus

    23 For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: ‘To the unknown god.’

    What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything…


    NEXT: the Logic of Paul’s Theology

    To be continued…

  • Epistle from the Council of Jerusalem – Acts 15:20

    Epistle from the Council of Jerusalem – Acts 15:20

    The Council of Jerusalem has come to a decision. They will write an epistle of instruction to the gentile churches.

    ἐπιστολή – a written message: — epistle, letter

    So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle: G1992

    Acts of the Apostles 15:30, King James Version

    WHAT DO WE DO WHEN AS SOON AS WE MAKE AN IMPORTANT DECISION IMPACTING EVERYONE?

    We send out an epistle or letter or message or broadcast.

    AND like any council with authority this council of Church leaders in Jerusalem go back to their followers personally as well. These apostles of the gospel will also send their epistle or letter of instruction with other trusted messengers to churches they cannot encourage personally.


    We're getting a little ahead of today's work of the Jerusalem Council, but I thought it important to DEFINE our term and impact of today's meeting of the Apostles in Jerusalem.

    Lexicon :: Strong’s G1992 – epistolē

    – From ἐπιστέλλω (G1989) epistellō –

    Outline of Biblical Usage

    • to send one a message, command
    • to write a letter
    • to enjoin by letter, to write instructions

    Christians familiar with traditional readings of Scripture from the King James Version recognize an introduction like:

    “A reading from the Epistle of Paul to the Romans.”

    The cover letter pictured is an actual parchment of Romans 1:1-7

    Acts of the Apostles 15:30 [above] reads ‘epistle‘ in the KJV.

    But most Bibles simply translate it ‘letter.’

    You may have seen a similar epistle in Acts 9 where Luke records a previous ‘official letter’ also sent with Paul (aka at that time Saul of Tarsus) from Jerusalem.

    But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.
    – Acts of the Apostles 9:1-2 ESV

    Christians familiar with the epistles or letters of the New Testament (after Acts) see epistles addressed to an individual church, i.e. Corinth, Ephesus, where these letters were also circulated to churches throughout and beyond those regions.

    However this important earlier letter from the Council at Jerusalem was sent to as many churches as possible. And the Apostles gathered in Jerusalem specifically address Gentiles as participants and members.

    SO It could have, but was not, named:

    The Epistle of the Council of Jerusalem,

    TO the Church at Antioch Syria (where it is to be sent) OR due to apostles sent out into all the world:

    ‘TO the churches of the Gentile Nations.’


    Leaders of the Christians in Antioch had requested clarification from the Apostles and leaders of the church in Jerusalem. Most Hellenist or Greek church members were Gentiles rather than Jews of the Diaspora.


    Acts 15 – Conclusion of Pastor James

    Previously, from ACTS 15:6-19

    Do not trouble those turning to God

    .. we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God,
    but should write to them
    to abstain from the things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what has been strangled, and from blood.

    Acts 15:19b-20 ESV

    Don’t cause trouble. Do not annoy. Do not harass.

    You get the idea; this is what Saul of Tarsus had planned to do in Damascus with the authority of the Jewish Council to persecute the converted.

    ἐπιστρέφω – Lexicon :: Strong’s G1994 – epistrephō

    transitively, a. to turn to the worship of the true God, 
    b. to cause to return, to bring back; figuratively, to the love and obedience of God ..
    

    Therefore it is my judgment that we do not trouble those who are turning to God [theos] from among the Gentiles ἔθνος [ethnos].

    YES, God chose the Jews

    BUT why would we want to keep those Gentiles whom the Lord our God has drawn through Christ?

    AND WHY add requirements which would hinder Gentiles from turning to God?

    SO James adjudicates the matter also addressing the concerns of the Jews.

    EXCEPT these practices of Jewish Law

    Here, James adds a requirement for the Gentiles but it is NOT circumcision.
    • abstain from 
      • the things polluted by idols
      • sexual immorality
      • what has been strangled
      • [from] blood

    21 For from ancient generations Moses has had in every city those who proclaim him, for he is read every Sabbath in the synagogues.”

    Epistle of James greeting of 1:1 map major Jewish cities of Roman Empire - Rome Antioch Damascas Jerusalem Alexandria
    James .. To the twelve tribes dispersed abroad. Greetings.

    A Map [above] shows first century Jewish cities of the Roman Empire to which James refers in an epistle he authored most likely during Paul’s first missionary journey just prior to the Council at Jerusalem.

    As you can see, much more communication will be required to cover so many Hellenist cities with Jewish and Christian worshipers.


    Acts 15:20 King James Version — But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.

    Scriptural (Old Testament) Reasons for James’ exceptions

    Pollutions of idols

    – Gen 35:2; Exo 20:3-5,23; Exo 34:15,16; Num 25:2; Psa 106:37-39; Eze 20:30,31;

    “Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord GOD: Will you defile yourselves after the manner of your fathers and go whoring after their detestable things? When you present your gifts and offer up your children in fire, you defile yourselves with all your idols to this day. And shall I *be inquired of by you, O house of Israel? As I live, declares the Lord GOD, I will not *be inquired of by you.

    Ezra 20:30-31 KJV – *note: Lexicon :: Strong’s H1875 – dāraš
    Fornication – πορνεία – Lexicon :: Strong’s G4202 – porneia –
    • illicit sexual intercourse
      • adultery, fornication, homosexuality, lesbianism, intercourse with animals etc.
      • sexual intercourse with close relatives; Lev. 18
      • sexual intercourse with a divorced man or woman; Mk. 10:11-12
    • metaph. the worship of idols
      • of the defilement of idolatry, as incurred by eating the sacrifices offered to idols

    The beginning of the word of the LORD by Hosea. And the LORD said to Hosea, Go, take unto thee a wife of *whoredoms and children of *whoredoms: for the land hath committed great *whoredom, departing from the LORD.

    Hosea 1:2 KJV note: *Lexicon :: Strong’s H2183 – zᵊnûnîm
    from Lexicon :: Strong’s H2181 – zānâ – A primitive root [highly-fed and therefore wanton]
    Things Strangled – πνικτός pniktós, pnik-tos’

    from G4155; throttled, i.e. (neuter concretely) an animal choked to death (not bled):—strangled.

    and Blood – αἵματος – αἷμα Lexicon :: Strong’s G129 – haima of man or animals
     καὶ τοῦ αἵματος - "from what has been strangled, and from blood." - ESV is best understood in the context of Leviticus, Book of the Priests, which provides some detail about Sacrifices to God, which Christ became by His own Blood, the flesh of our Lord Jesus pierced for our transgressions.
    The Sacrifice of Blood
    Leviticus 17: ESV

    וַיִּקְרָא (Leviticus) 17 :: Westminster Leningrad Codex (WLC)

    וַיְדַבֵּר יְהוָה אֶל־מֹשֶׁה לֵּאמֹֽר׃

    1. And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,

    10 “If any one of the house of Israel or of the strangers who sojourn among them eats any blood, I will set my face against that person who eats blood and will cut him off from among his people.

    For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it for you on the altar to make atonement for your souls,
    for it is the blood that makes atonement by the life.

    Leviticus 17:11 ESV

    12 Therefore I have said to the people of Israel, No person among you shall eat blood, neither shall any stranger who sojourns among you eat blood.

    13 “Any one also of the people of Israel, or of the strangers who sojourn among them, who takes in hunting any beast or bird that may be eaten shall pour out its blood and cover it with earth.

    For the life of every creature is its blood: its blood is its life. Therefore I have said to the people of Israel, You shall not eat the blood of any creature, for the life of every creature is its blood. Whoever eats it shall be cut off.

    Leviticus 17:14 ESV

    Letter from the Council

    Acts 15:

    22 Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas…


    To Be Continued…

    .. with the text of their Epistle authorizing apostles for another mission to the Gentiles. 

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