I don’t know if I’ve found a more instructive narrative passage in the pages of the Bible—on the topic of rightly interacting with non-Christians—than what I’ve been able to glean from reflecting upon Paul’s interface as recorded in Acts 17. For instance, think about how Paul was prepared for nearly any context that he found himself in.  Considering the broad scope of his audience, how did he do that?  Think about it.  Paul’s audience consisted of three groups of people: the Jews (Theists), the Epicureans (Atheistic Naturalists), and Stoics (Pantheists).    

PAUL’S AUDIENCE: It’s not at all surprising that Paul would be able to dilogue with the Jews, since he himself was a highly trained Pharisee.  But the stunning part is that even though Paul finds himself in Athens quite unexpectedly (so he had not planned “sermon” or talk), he is also able to formidably converse with the prominant Greek academics of his day.  So, this tells me that among Paul’s reading list are pagan Greek philosophers such as Cleanthes’ Hymn to Zeus or even Epimenides and Aratus.  We know this because he quotes these very thinkers in verse 28, “For in him we live and move and have our being,” and “We are his offspring.”  Paul had spent time reading the authorities who were influencing those he was trying to reach with the message of Jesus.

APPLICATION: Do we do that with those we are trying to reach?  Ask yourself who are the major influencers of your non-Christian friends–musicians, movies, authors, newspapers, journals, websites.  Now how much time to you spend, not just criticizing these sources, but first understanding them?  I remember growing up singing a song in youth group which recited the words, “In Him we live and move and have our being.”  However, I never knew that this phrase was on load from pagan Greek pantheism.  Now, please don’t misunderstand me.  I am not condemning the use of this phrase.  Rather, I’m just pointing out the creativity and ingenuity of what Paul did.  He affirmed what truth there was in the pagan worldview of his hearers.  And then he used that truth as a springboard or bridge to the person of Jesus.

 

So often people will ask what they should do to share Jesus with a familey member or friend who either doesn’t seem to have any interest or is hostile to the message of Jesus.  I think one of the first steps in evangelizing is to know your audience.  Spend time finding out what have been the most significant life/value/worldview shapers to them.  Get to know those shapers yourself.  Then use those shapers, as well as the deviations, to build a bridge.