So those who conducted Paul brought him to Athens; and receiving a command for Silas and Timothy to come to him with all speed, they departed. Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him when he saw that the city was given over to idols. Therefore he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and with the Gentile worshipers, and in the marketplace daily with those who happened to be there. Acts 17:15-17

Paul went to Athens, a prominent Greek city known for being the home of many Greek philosophers. Before proceeding, let us be reminded of what God’s Word says about human (that is, godless) philosophy. It is foolishness (1 Corinthians 1:18-21).

What was Paul’s reaction to being in this hotbed of “worldly-wise” foolishness? “His spirit was provoked within him when he saw that the city was given over to idols.” From this let us learn two truths:

First, note that God’s Word equates human philosophy with idolatry. Why is it idolatry? It pridefully idolizes human intellect, reason, and imagined wisdom. In short, it idolizes humans in general, and self in particular—instead of humbly worshiping God. We are surrounded by this kind idolatry, too. Think of how many “experts” claim to know everything about just about everything. There are science experts who claim to know everything from health to climate—all without acknowledging God. There are social scientists who claim wisdom that human beings can change gender based on personal desires—excluding God. There are political and economic scientists who claim wisdom to spend more than we have and to give money taken from those who produce to those who only consume—ignoring the economic wisdom of God’s Word that is exactly the opposite. Many more examples could be given, but those with true wisdom get the point.

Like Paul, we live in a land of idolatrous human wisdom that denies God and the true wisdom that comes from Him. What is the correct response to those around us? Read the next blog post…