Podcast Summary: Back to the Bible Podcast
Host: Larsen Plyler
Episode: 115 – Acts 17:22-34
Date: July 13, 2025
Overview
This episode focuses on Acts 17:22-34, the account of Paul’s sermon at Mars Hill (the Areopagus) in Athens. Host Larsen Plyler examines the context of Paul’s second missionary journey, his encounter with Athenian philosophers, and the significance of his message about the one true God. The episode explores how Paul bridges cultural and philosophical gaps, what this means for modern believers, and the tension between worldly wisdom and the gospel.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Context: Paul’s Journey to Athens
- Paul’s recent persecutions (Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea): Paul was driven out by both Roman legal opposition and Jewish religious hostility. (00:55-02:10)
- Arrival in Athens: Paul waits for Timothy and Silas after fleeing persecution. He is "provoked" by the rampant idolatry and chooses to engage the people in both the synagogue and the marketplace. (02:10-03:25)
- Athens as a cultural hub: Recognized as a center of wisdom and philosophy; home to Epicureans (seeking pleasure) and Stoics (valuing emotional restraint). (03:50-04:45)
2. Paul’s Confrontation with Athenian Philosophy
- Areopagus (Mars Hill) invitation: Paul is invited to explain his “new teaching.” Some see him as a “babbler,” others think he’s introducing new deities. (05:00)
- Commentary on Athenian curiosity: Plyler notes Lucan sarcasm—Athenians are "interested in nothing other than hearing or telling something new," suggesting a shallow, curiosity-driven mindset rather than sincere spiritual seeking. (05:45-06:40)
"They are just curious. Now, that is unfortunate, because what you have here is what is reportedly a center of wisdom… and yet… you have only a shallow desire to know what's being said."
— Larsen Plyler [06:24]
3. Paul’s Sermon: Addressing “An Unknown God”
- Compliment or critique? Paul opens calling Athenians “very religious” (or “superstitious”), both acknowledging their devotion and subtly challenging it. (07:20)
- Using Athenian ignorance as an opening: The altar “to an UNKNOWN GOD” becomes Paul’s segue to proclaim the true Creator God. (08:30)
- Universal message: Paul stresses God’s role as Creator, sustainer, and judge—transcending any notion of a local, ethnic, or man-made deity. (09:15-10:05)
"Paul is going to span—the whole span of human history—from creation to the final judgment… This is not just some Jewish sect… the local stuff is not near as significant as the global stuff."
— Larsen Plyler [10:00]
- God’s transcendence: God does not dwell in manmade temples nor require sacrifices for His benefit. Old Testament rituals were for humans, not for God’s survival. (10:50-12:05)
- Purpose of creation: God created mankind so that “they would seek God… though He is not far from each one of us.” (12:18-13:05)
"The purpose that God has in your existing is that you would seek God… searching for him isn't a fool's errand. Even your writers recognize he is there."
— Larsen Plyler [13:08]
- God as knowable, not imageable: If we are God’s offspring, then God’s nature cannot be captured in stone or gold. Humanity is, in fact, the image. (13:32-14:50)
- Repentance call: In past ages, God “overlooked” ignorance, but now He “commands all people everywhere to repent.” Judgment is coming, proven by Christ’s resurrection. (15:00-15:55)
"Just as surely as Jesus was raised from the dead, a day of judgment is coming… Don’t let [the call to repentance] fall flat. Hear it and respond."
— Larsen Plyler [16:12]
4. The Response in Athens
- Mixed reactions: Some mock the idea of resurrection; others want to hear more; a few believe (notably Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris). (17:06-18:00)
"The response of supposedly wise Athens is to on the whole reject the laughable idea of resurrection. It was foolishness to them."
— Larsen Plyler [18:05]
5. Scriptural Cross-reference and Application
- 1 Corinthians 1:18-25: The “foolishness” of the cross and resurrection as perceived by the world versus the true wisdom and power of God. (19:00-21:20)
"We preach Christ crucified: to Jews a stumbling block, to Gentiles foolishness, but to those who are the called… Christ, the power of God and the wisdom of God."
— Read by Larsen Plyler [21:00]
- Modern implications: Plyler urges listeners to avoid the pride of knowledge and information that distracts from the simple, profound truth of the gospel. Modern skepticism, scientific prowess, and the rejection of resurrection echo Athens' response. (22:00-26:00)
"What we end up doing is we end up rejecting the truth of God's word because we are so impressed by our own knowledge and understanding."
— Larsen Plyler [23:10]
6. The Value of Faith and God’s Purpose
- Science and faith: Science is valuable, but cannot address meaning, purpose, or the existence of God. The whole purpose is to seek God, who is both near and accessible. (26:05-28:10)
- Personal call: Every listener, regardless of their beliefs, is invited to “seek God…we are his offspring and he has made us to seek him out.” (28:11)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On Athenian curiosity:
"They are wanting just to hear the new thing. They are curious. Now, that is unfortunate, because... you have only a shallow desire to know what's being said."
— Larsen Plyler [06:24] -
On the global scope of Paul's message:
"This is not just some Jewish sect… the local stuff is not near as significant as the global stuff."
— Larsen Plyler [10:00] -
On the purpose of humanity:
"The purpose that God has in your existing is that you would seek God… searching for him isn't a fool's errand."
— Larsen Plyler [13:08] -
On the gospel’s “foolishness” to the wise:
"The response of supposedly wise Athens is to on the whole reject the laughable idea of resurrection. It was foolishness to them."
— Larsen Plyler [18:05]
Key Timestamps
- [00:55] – Setting: Paul's journey, persecution, and context
- [03:50] – Athens’ philosophers (Epicureans, Stoics)
- [05:00] – Arrival at Areopagus, Athenians’ curiosity
- [07:20] – “To an unknown God” & the intro to Paul’s sermon
- [10:00] – God's universal message & Paul’s argument
- [13:08] – God’s nearness and the aim of creation
- [15:00] – The call for repentance and judgment through Christ
- [17:06] – Athenians’ varied responses
- [19:00] – 1 Corinthians 1: The gospel and worldly wisdom
- [22:00] – Modern relevance: knowledge, skepticism, faith
Conclusion
Larsen Plyler delivers a thoughtful, scripture-rich exposition of Paul’s Mars Hill sermon, challenging listeners to recognize the limits of human wisdom and the primacy of God’s revelation in Christ. He draws clear parallels between ancient Athens and today’s skeptical, information-saturated world, calling all to seek, find, and respond to the one true God.