What’s the Difference?
Lesson # 10, 3/29/2009
What do I share?:
Engaging a World of Differences
THE TIMES … ARE THEY A-CHANGING?
We have spent some time looking at different world religions and subdivisions in religions—and
we only touched the tip of the iceberg! In some ways, it seems like we live in a strange, new
world—one that is pluralistic both in the descriptive sense (there are many religions in the world)
and the prescriptive sense (people think that they are all the same). We might be wondering how
we can possibly present the gospel message in such a culture. How can I explain the gospel to a
Hindu, a Muslim, a Jew, a Mormon, or someone that makes a hodge-podge religion? However,
when we take a closer examination of the world in which Jesus lived and the church was born, we
discover that times are not all that different!
Diversity in Second Temple Judaism
The Jewish culture and religion at the time of Christ was not something that was unified; it was
highly stratified. In some ways, you can see different “denominations” existing within Judaism:
The Pharisees were the Reformed theologians of the day (theology and application)
The Sadducees were the Episcopalians of the day (elite, middle of the road)
The Essenes (Qumran/Dead Sea Scrolls, not in NT) were the rigid Baptists of the day
The Herodians (supporters of Herod) were the nominal, secularist Jews
The “Fourth Philosophy” (Zealots/Sicarii) were the militant fundamentalists in politics
The “God-fearers” were non-Jews who thought elements of Judaism was cool
The Samaritans were “half-Jews” or a Jewish offshoot
And there were also Diaspora Jews (those living in other countries) who were different
Diversity in the Greek World in Religion and Philosophy
And the Greek-speaking world was not unified either! There were many philosophies (Skepticism,
Cyncism, Stocism, Epicureanism, etc.). There were rural and domestic religious practices, civic
religion, ruler cult, personal religion, and many mystery religions. It was a time of diversity in
religion, with traditional beliefs and practices, intermingled due to ancient ‘globalization.’
Intermingling of the Cultures
Ever since the exile, Jews had interacted regularly with Gentiles. Furthermore, the ancient world
featured more travel than we often assume. While Nazareth (Jesus’ boyhood home) was a pretty
obscure city, it was also a short distance from Sepphoris, an important Hellenistic city. Many
scholars now believe that Joseph and Jesus would have likely worked at this city. Jesus likely
knew Greek and interacted with those of other beliefs. The apostle Paul is another great
example, a pious Jew but one who grew up in Tarsus, which was an important city.
Opposition to Judaism/Christianity in the Ancient World
Christianity was seen by the upper class as a “superstition” that took in gullible people; it was
seen as a religion that opposes all people. The idea of a suffering son of God, an incarnation,
bodily resurrection, and exclusivism from Judaism all were repugnant in the eyes of the world.
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Prescriptive Pluralism in the Ancient World
Even the idea of religious pluralism is not unique to our times but something our fathers and
mothers in the faith faced as well—non-exclusivism and equation of deities were pillars in Roman
religion (there was also an emphasis on power, astrology, fate, etc.).
“[T]he assumption that the same deity could be called by different names, or could take
on different forms in different cultures, was widely accepted in the first-century
Mediterranean world. … Exclusive statements about the person and work of Jesus were
no more palatable in the first century than they are today…It was precisely the
uncompromising exclusivism of the early Christians that provoked the antagonism of the
surrounding culture.” Harold Netland, Encountering Religious Pluralism, 342
Why is this important for our topic? This reminds us that we can turn to see how Jesus and the
apostles interacted and handled the differences in religious systems and thoughts in their day and
see principles that might help us today engage our culture.
LISTENING TO THE WORD TO SPEAK IN THE WORLD
Let’s take some snapshots of Scripture to see how Paul encountered other religious ideas.
Paul in Lystra—confusion of Christian message with native religion
Acts 14:11-18 (NRSV)
11 When the crowds saw what Paul had done, they shouted in the Lycaonian language, "The
gods have come down to us in human form!" 12 Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul they called
Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. 13 The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside
the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates; he and the crowds wanted to offer sacrifice. 14
When the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their clothes and rushed out into the
crowd, shouting, 15 "Friends, why are you doing this? We are mortals just like you, and we bring
you good news, that you should turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made the
heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them. 16 In past generations he allowed all
the nations to follow their own ways; 17 yet he has not left himself without a witness in doing
good-giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, and filling you with food and your hearts
with joy." 18 Even with these words, they scarcely restrained the crowds from offering sacrifice to
them.
Paul in Philippi—social and economic implications of the gospel
Acts 16:19-24 (NRSV)
19 But when her owners saw that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and
Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the authorities. 20 When they had brought
them before the magistrates, they said, "These men are disturbing our city; they are Jews 21 and
are advocating customs that are not lawful for us as Romans to adopt or observe." 22 The crowd
joined in attacking them, and the magistrates had them stripped of their clothing and ordered
them to be beaten with rods. 23 After they had given them a severe flogging, they threw them
into prison and ordered the jailer to keep them securely. 24 Following these instructions, he put
them in the innermost cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.
Paul in Thesslonica and Corinth—political implications of the gospel
Acts 17:6-7 (NRSV) in Thesslonica
6 When they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some believers before the city
authorities, shouting, "These people who have been turning the world upside down have come
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here also, 7 and Jason has entertained them as guests. They are all acting contrary to the decrees
of the emperor, saying that there is another king named Jesus."
Acts 18:13 (NRSV) in Corinth
13 They said, "This man is persuading people to worship God in ways that are contrary to the
law."
Paul in Athens—Teaching of Resurrection is Mocked
Acts 17:32 (NRSV)
32 When they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some scoffed; but others said, "We will
hear you again about this."
Paul in Ephesus for the 2nd time—Now Giving Up Sorcery
Acts 19:18-20 (NRSV)
18 Also many of those who became believers confessed and disclosed their practices. 19 A
number of those who practiced magic collected their books and burned them publicly; when the
value of these books was calculated, it was found to come to fifty thousand silver coins. 20 So the
word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed.
Paul in Jerusalem—Mission to Gentiles is Rejected
Acts 22:17-23 (NRSV)
17 "After I had returned to Jerusalem and while I was praying in the temple, I fell into a trance
18 and saw Jesus saying to me, "Hurry and get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not
accept your testimony about me.' 19 And I said, "Lord, they themselves know that in every
synagogue I imprisoned and beat those who believed in you. 20 And while the blood of your
witness Stephen was shed, I myself was standing by, approving and keeping the coats of those
who killed him.' 21 Then he said to me, "Go, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles.' "
22 Up to this point they listened to him, but then they shouted, "Away with such a fellow from the
earth! For he should not be allowed to live."
Paul to the Corinthians—Cross as a Stumbling Block and Foolishness
1 Cor 1:21-25 (NRSV)
21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, God decided,
through the foolishness of our proclamation, to save those who believe. 22 For Jews demand signs
and Greeks desire wisdom, 23 but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and
foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the
power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For God's foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and
God's weakness is stronger than human strength.
What do we see?
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Even then, people interpreted the gospel through their current religions lens and it was
difficult for people to understand the gospel; it took time to understand
Rejection of the gospel was often not on “philosophical” grounds but because it did not let
people do what they wanted to do
Rejection also happened because the gospel presented ideas that did not mesh with the
worldview of the people
The gospel moved forward and spread in the midst of this!
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ENCOUNTERING IDEAS—ACTS 17:16-34
16 While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was deeply distressed to see that the
city was full of idols. 17 So he argued in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons,
and also in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there. 18 Also some
Epicurean and Stoic philosophers debated with him. Some said, "What does this babbler want to
say?" Others said, "He seems to be a proclaimer of foreign divinities." (This was because he was
telling the good news about Jesus and the resurrection.) 19 So they took him and brought him to
the Areopagus and asked him, "May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting?
20 It sounds rather strange to us, so we would like to know what it means." 21 Now all the
Athenians and the foreigners living there would spend their time in nothing but telling or hearing
something new.
22 Then Paul stood in front of the Areopagus and said, "Athenians, I see how extremely
religious you are in every way. 23 For as I went through the city and looked carefully at the
objects of your worship, I found among them an altar with the inscription, "To an unknown god.'
What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. 24 The God who made the world
and everything in it, he who is Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in shrines made by human
hands, 25 nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives
to all mortals life and breath and all things. 26 From one ancestor he made all nations to inhabit
the whole earth, and he allotted the times of their existence and the boundaries of the places
where they would live, 27 so that they would search for God and perhaps grope for him and find
him-though indeed he is not far from each one of us. 28 For "In him we live and move and have
our being'; as even some of your own poets have said, "For we too are his offspring.'
29 Since we are God's offspring, we ought not to think that the deity is like gold, or silver,
or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of mortals. 30 While God has overlooked
the times of human ignorance, now he commands all people everywhere to repent, 31 because he
has fixed a day on which he will have the world judged in righteousness by a man whom he has
appointed, and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead."
32 When they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some scoffed; but others said, "We
will hear you again about this." 33 At that point Paul left them. 34 But some of them joined him
and became believers, including Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris, and
others with them.
Paul’s Motivation (Acts 17:16)
 “Spirituality” of the time pushes us to share the gospel more
o Not, “Well, they are happy so I shouldn’t share”
o Not, “I hate them…I hope they perish!”
Paul’s Message (Acts 17:22-31)
 Dialoguing in their language (Acts 17:22-29)
o Uses their sources and language (not Christian-ese)—compare with Acts 13
o Affirms their similarities
o Notes disagreements and insufficiencies of system
 Stressing the uniqueness of the Christian message (Acts 17:30-31)
o Relationship with God
o Resurrection of the Dead
o Repentance from sins
Paul’s Mocking…and Mission Established (Acts 17:32-34)
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ENCOUNTERING PEOPLE—JOHN 4:1-26
While Paul had a very public conversation on Mars Hill, this is not what most of us will do. Most of
us will have conversations with people of other faiths. While we do not immediately think about it
as a conversation between religions, Jesus’ conversation with the Samaritan woman is one that has
implications because Samaritans were an offshoot of Jews (intermingling with other religions).
(Due to length, the entire text is not printed here).
4:7: A Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, "Give me a drink."
 Jesus initiates the conversation!
 In some ways, it is very practical…he is not “be-friending” here as a project!
 Jesus breaks social norms. In some ways, this is not advised (i.e. be respectful of the
cultural differences regarding men and women, etc.). But one norm that he breaks that we
are to as well is to be friends with those who think differently from us!
4:16-18: Jesus said to her, "Go, call your husband, and come back." 17 The woman answered
him, "I have no husband." Jesus said to her, "You are right in saying, "I have no husband'; 18 for
you have had five husbands, and the one you have now is not your husband. What you have said
is true!"
 Jesus discusses the issue of her guilt, not pointing out sin directly but pointing
o What do other systems do with the idea of GUILT?
o How do other systems deal with those who go astray?
4:20-21: 20 Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you say that the place where people
must worship is in Jerusalem." 21 Jesus said to her, "Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when
you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem.”
 She tries to bring up a side issue, he focuses on the main issue in regards to the nature of
God and what he is looking for.
 Jesus also moves beyond cultural understandings to universal understanding; the gospel is
not just for a culture (Jewish) but for every nation
4:25-26: 25 The woman said to him, "I know that Messiah is coming" (who is called Christ). "When
he comes, he will proclaim all things to us." 26 Jesus said to her, "I am he, the one who is speaking
to you."
 Jesus is the culmination of all of their hopes and dreams, even if he does it in a much
different way than they expected God to save them
4:39: Many Samaritans from that city believed in him because of the woman's testimony, "He told
me everything I have ever done."
 Her story leads to others believing
 She is the one who engages people from her system in believing
Principles that Emerge from These Examples:
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Keep the gospel at the heart of all your words and deeds! (And focus on Christ)
Personal encounters are key in these discussions
People have to see insufficiencies of their own system to abandon it
Rejection will happen … but so will conversions because of the power of Christ!
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BRAINSTORMING… QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
What are elements of the gospel that will be confusing for other religions to understand—that
perhaps might even be offensive to another religious system?
What are places of overlap between the gospel and other religions (either in questions or in the
answers given themselves)?
How should we interact with those of other religious beliefs today?
What areas might be difficult for a person who converts from another religion to Christianity to
understand? How could you help this person grow in their Christian life?
How do you know that the gospel is offending them as opposed to you?
“INFECTION” IMPLICATIONS
Hopefully, we have debunked and addressed many obstacles to sharing our faith:
 “I don’t know enough—they might ask me a question I do not know the answer to”
o Remember that every religion is complicated! And furthermore, as long as you
know the main issues, you should be on the right track; sometimes, they will ask
non-essential questions but focus on the essential issues!
 “I can’t cause them to change religions”
o Of course you can’t, that’s the Holy Spirit’s job!
 “Is Christianity really that different from other religions?”
o Religions view the world differently, as they have different diagnoses and
different solutions.—and the person and work of Christ is different in all systems!
 “Our world is so different”
o Actually, our world is more like the ancient world than we might think!
 “I am afraid of offending them.”
o You will offend them with the gospel in some way, shape, or form, as it will
contradict their ideas. Part of the issue, though, is that you want to make sure that
the gospel is what offends them, not you! Furthermore, your acceptance of them
while being offended at their ideas can speak powerfully to them.
Concluding quote: “Neither the truth nor the value of Christianity depends upon its uniqueness …
its authority is not dependent on absolute originality in its teachings and practices … Christian
claims rest on whether it is a revelation from God … That which is truly unique to Christianity is
Jesus Christ … What would make Christianity unique in an absolute sense, with no possible
historical rival, would be for Jesus to be what is claimed for him—the one and only Son of God,
God who has come in the flesh; and to have done what is affirmed for him—to have brought a
salvation and relationship with God that no one else than the Son of God could have brought.”
(Everett Ferguson, Backgrounds of Early Christianity, 619-620.)
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