AN INTELLECTUAL INTRODUCTION – 01/21/19

AN INTELLECTUAL INTRODUCTION
January 21, 2019

Prayer:  My prayer for you is that you would dispel ignorance through an intellectual introduction.

Scripture:  “For while I was passing through and examining the objects of your worship, I also found an altar with this inscription, ‘TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.’ Therefore what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you. 24 “The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands ; 25 nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things ; 26 and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, 27 that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; 28 for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we also are His children.’
Acts 17:23-28  NAS

These Scriptures are a portion of Paul’s sermon on Mars Hill. While visiting Athens, Paul encounters many statues, temples and objects of worship to countless false gods, but then passes an altar with the inscription, “To an unknown God.” It had been placed there, perhaps as a catch-all, a “just in case we forgot one” altar, a god they had not heard of but did not want to offend or ignore. Paul took advantage of this opportunity to use the culture as a tool to testify to the one true God, Creator of heaven and earth.

Paul uses what is visible and familiar to them and teaches them about the invisible and unfamiliar. He teaches about God’s greatness, the author of all days, history and future, and of all men, of all nations, and in Athens’ great love for seeking knowledge, Paul attempts to redirect their hunt for the One they should seek who has given life and the meaning of life. Paul draws from their own poets who have proclaimed in poetry to be children of this “unknown” God. Paul proclaims this to be an inspired intelligence and now he is taking the opportunity to introduce to them to God; that He now may be made “known” to them.

As teachers, you can use this method to make your students think; to allow some to use their faith in the classroom while others are introduced to a God that is “unknown” to them. You must be careful, but there are thousands of LEGAL ways to educationally, NOT devotionally, let students learn about the cultural relevance and historical contributions of religions and faith. You might be surprised to know that your state standards REQUIRE that you teach about Christian concepts, stories, traditions, history, and contributions.

Every year I write about this, and every year there is a fear-filled gasp that screams, “Separation of Church and State.” Friends, it is time for Christians to educate themselves about their religious rights in public schools and to exercise the many, many freedoms you have, such as singing hymns in choir concerts- which the Supreme Court not only supports but expects. You may use the Bible, stories and specific Scriptures as literature; reading, understanding themes and characters in current books and film, explaining the meaning of many of our familiar sayings or quotes. The PTA and the NEA have signed documents affirming the necessity to do so in order to teach the whole child, with a whole education. If any of these revelations interest you, you can learn much more through Gateways to Better Education – www.gtbe.org.

Copyright Kathy Branzell.  Email [email protected]