An Introduction to the Areopagus

While Paul was in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols. He reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the markeplace with those who were there. A group of philosophers began to dispute with him, and some of them asked, "What is this babbler talking about?" Then they brought him to The Aréopagus and said to him, "Would you explain this new teaching that you are presenting? You are bringing strange new ideas to us, and we want to know what they mean...."

Then Paul stood up and said, "Men of Athens! I see that you are very religious. For as I walked around your city and looked at your objects of worship, I found an altar with the inscription, 'To An Unknown God.' Now the One you worship as unknown I am going to proclaim to you...." [Acts 17:16ff]

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But let Christ be the Lord of your heart. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. [I Peter 3:15]

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Do not conform to the thought patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to discern God’s good and perfect will. [Rom. 12:2]

Like the apostle Paul in pre-Christian Athens, we in post-Christian America face a culture that is increasingly skeptical -- if not blatantly hostile -- toward traditional Christian faith and values. The erosion of Christian influence in our society is apparent in most every area of life from law and politics to business, education, the media, the arts and entertainment, and lifestyles in general. Many Christians, however, fail to see that we are losing the cultural war partly because we have essentially forfeited the intellectual war. Ideas and beliefs have consequences, and responsible Christians can ill afford to drift along with the cultural currents of our day.

The Aréopagus is an interdenominational Christian study center that offers seminars, workshops, and forums on a variety of topics relevant to contemporary Christian education and ministry. The mission of The Aréopagus is to help equip Christians for ministry and to effectively engage our society and culture with the transforming truth and love of Jesus Christ. To this end, we offer a substantive curriculum that expands their knowledge base, stimulates critical thinking, and challenges them to live faithfully and consistently in accordance with the principles and practices of a Biblical Christian worldview.

Areopagus Seminars and Workshops
The Aréopagus provides a systematic curriculum of courses for Christians who want to broaden and deepen their understanding of the Christian faith and contemporary culture. Aréopagus courses are offered at a nominal cost (just a fraction of what one would pay for a comparable seminary course) and taught by gifted instructors who are experts in their respective field, and include a variety of subjects and topics such as...

Areopagus Forum Series
The Aréopagus Forum Series features lectures, debates, and other presentations by outstanding Christian scholars, authors, and artists. Most Forums include a formal presentation followed by an extended Q&A session, and offer Christians a unique opportunity to interact with some of the great minds in contemporary Christianity.

Areopagus Book Review Forums
The Aréopagus Book Review Forum is a monthly series that highlights significant books of particular relevance to Christian faith and contemporary culture. Each session includes reviews, critiques, and discussions of books on topics from history and apologetics to theology, archaeology, politics, social issues, psychology, science, literature and the arts, etc.

God In the Arts
Popular culture is a pervasive and influential force in contemporary society that can either enrich or degrade the quality of our lives, yet few Christians have a well-developed philosophy of the arts. God In the Arts: Theological Themes in Movies and Music is a monthly cultural apologetics series that analyzes and critiques the aesthetic aspects as well as the social, political, moral, and spiritual messages in popular music and movies from the perspective of a Christian worldviews.

Through our Seminars, Forums, Book Review sessions, God In the Arts series, and other special events, The Aréopagus provides a unique opportunity for Christians to come together in a trans-denominational setting that is intellectually stimulating, socially engaging, and spiritually edifying.