“And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest, is? For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things mean” (Acts 17:19-20).

When Paul declared the truth to those in Athens, they were both confused and curious of such teaching.  Their worldview was not the same as Paul’s and thus his teaching was “strange” (cf. Acts 17:18, 20).  Paul, as well as all those who were proclaiming the gospel, held the worldview of a Christian.  Consider some of the basics of the Christian’s worldview.

1. Origins. Paul started with creation.  “God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; That they should seek the Lord if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring” (Acts 17:24-28).  How different is this from the secular, humanistic teaching of today!  Paul declares that the Creator brought life into the world and that all nations came from one blood.  Therefore, he would affirm that Moses’ record in Genesis 1 through 11 was accurate history.  If man is mistaken about physical origins, what will happen when looking at the origins of sin, suffering and salvation?
2. Objective, Moral Standard. Paul stated in view of the resurrection of Christ, “Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead” (Acts 17:31).  Judgment in the last day is based upon righteousness.  That denotes a standard common to all men.  It is God that ordained Christ to judge righteously in that day (cf. 2 Tim. 4:8).  Therefore, all are to both know and comply with such righteousness that is of God, not of men.
3. Obedience of Faith. Paul further stated, “And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:” (Acts 17:30).  Hence, the “Lord of heaven and earth” (Acts 17:24) commands all to “repent” (Acts 17:30).  What they were ignorant of concerning God is now not a matter of ignorance.  God’s command is to be obeyed.  When Paul preached “the faith in Christ” (Acts 24:24), Luke records concerning Felix, “And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, . . .” (Acts 24:25).  Paul did not hesitate to make it clear to Felix who was truly in charge and that one could know the will of God and pattern his life by it.  The stand made by Christians declaring that the word of God is the definitive answer to all questions is the correct worldview.  Paul wrote to the Romans concerning his work, “By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name” (Rom. 1:5).  Faith must comply with doing the will of God (cf. Matt. 7:21).  This worldview challenges all who will not conform.

Jimmy Clark

“How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? And the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?” (Prov. 1:22).

The phrase “simple ones” (Prov. 1:22) appears in several passages in the books of Psalms and Proverbs.  It denotes those who are inexperienced and thus without wisdom or void of understanding.  Interestingly, the term literally means “simple, as open-minded; . . . open to the instruction of wisdom or folly” (Brown, Driver, Briggs: Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament, p. 834).  Ponder three points about “simple ones.”

1. Greatly Needing Instruction. Solomon wrote concerning wisdom’s appeal, “O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart” (Prov. 8:5).  Again, “Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him, Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled. Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding” (Prov. 9:4-6).  It is the word of God that provides what is needed to the simple.  It is written in the Psalms, “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple” (Ps. 19:7).  Again, “The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple” (Ps. 119:130).
2. Give Attention to Punishment of Others When Observant. Solomon wrote, “Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware: and reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge” (Prov. 19:25).  Again, “When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge (Prov. 21:11).  Discipline gets the attention of the simple.  As to whether he will set his heart to do the will of God depends upon his desire and direction as seen in the next and final point below.
3. Gullible and Easily Enticed If Refuses Instruction. This quality of “simple ones” is the difference between being simple who will become wise or one who is simple and will “love simplicity” (Prov. 1:22).  One who is a fool and simple is characterized by a host of negatives.  Solomon wrote, “The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going” (Prov. 14:15).  The consequence of such is seen in the words “The simple inherit folly: but the prudent are crowned with knowledge (Prov. 14:18).  Notice the following about the simple who are foolish: “For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord: They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof. Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices. For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them” (Prov. 1:29-32).  It is the simple one who loves folly that turns unto the woman who would entice him toward sin (cf. Prov. 7:7-23).  It is the simple one who will heed such, for “A foolish woman is clamorous: she is simple, and knoweth nothing. For she sitteth at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city, To call passengers who go right on their ways: Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: and as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him” (Prov. 9:13-16).  “A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished” (Prov. 22:3; 27:12).

Jimmy Clark