Paul Visits Athens - We sure are smart.

One of the things that I find really interesting in this section is the dichotomy between the popular philosophies of the Epicureans and the Stoics. Epicureans did not believe in any higher power or force that created the world. They believed the highest honor you could achieve was to live in a way that brought one the most lasting pleasure. The Stoics believed in a God, but believed that their role on earth was to never be in conflict with nature and just accept things as they come.



       

What's up Epicurus, meet Zeno, your fiercest rival.

Interestingly enough, I find that Epicurus and Zeno (founder of Stoicism) look eerily similar. Kind of like their philosophies. Stay with me here, I know they seem totally opposite, but I think what we're looking at is a kind of political U. It's the concept that two opposite ends of the spectrum are actually closer together than the central view. Epicureans view of self-satisfaction leading to ultimate pleasure and Stoics view of intense internal focus lead both groups to be incredibly self-centered. What then becomes the true opposite end of the spectrum is the teachings of Christ. That in order to achieve our highest station and please God, we must love and serve our fellow man.

While it appears that these are ancient philosophies, I would say that the spirit behind them is alive and well. All you have to do is turn on the television to see examples of people both trying to please themselves or shrugging their shoulders at the world. As followers of Christ we are obligated to both be active participants in our communities, be agents of change for the better, and seek out opportunities to serve and lift others. By following the gospel of Christ we often put ourselves at odds with the world but we can see that His doctrine is really one of peace. It is a meeting place where we can turn our focus outward and in turn better ourselves inwardly.

The Martyrdom of Stephen

In this chapter I was most familiar with verse 56:

• "...Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God."

I can't tell you how any times I used that verse as a missionary to teach about the nature of the Godhead. I used it, not out of context per se, but without striving to understand the whole picture. I never considered to personal experience of Stephen building up to this event. I recently watched a film "The Stoning of Soraya M." that depicts the events that lead a woman to be stoned to death for adultury that she did not commit. It has a quite graphic scene when they finally do stone her, it is far from what would be considered a pleasant way to die. Stephen would have known what was coming and his final words and thoughts were not to plead for mercy from the people, but to cast his view on the heavens.

Similarly Abinadi was facing an excruciating death by fire and bore a testimony so strong that he literally shone. Abinadi, like Stephen also called his accusers to repentance, even from captivity. They were fearless. I think we can't help but place ourselves in their positions and wonder what we would do, if we would behave with such courage and faith. I don't have an answer for myself, I am not sure if I have that sort of fortitude. Then again, we are often not sure of our capacity until it has been tested. I look at my own life and do not see anything that has been insurmountable to me. I do not consider anything I have gone through to be a monumental trial. Others though often tell me that they could "never have their husband deploy to a war zone" and "I don't know how you handle that". I'm gonna go out on a limb and say that if the Lord ever put me in a position where my declaration of faith would have to be so strong, that it would be because he already knows what my answer would be.