Reaching Our Culture with the Gospel

I'm not sure if you've noticed, but the culture around us is changing. Many of our neighbors look different than we do, speak a different language than we do, and live a different lifestyle than we do. A recent study shows over 300 different ethnicities and 200 different languages spoken in the Greater-Houston Area. As our friend, Dr. Ralph Neighbour says, "The whole world has come to Houston!"

With all the differences, it stands to reason that there are many different religious beliefs and practices among our new neighbors as well.

That means that as the church, we must shift and change our missional methods if we are going to reach a rapidly shifting culture.

In Acts 17:16–34, the Apostle Paul is in Athens, the intellectual capital of the ancient world— a city filled with idols, shrines, and altars to dozens of gods. Paul didn’t argue with them. He didn’t attack their beliefs. He didn’t start with condemnation.

Paul used five intentional strategies that are incredibly relevant for ministry today:

1. Paul Started With What He Saw (Cultural Awareness)

“His spirit was provoked within him when he saw that the city was given over to idols.”—Acts 17:16 (NKJ)

Instead of ignoring the idolatry, Paul paid attention. He observed their beliefs so he could address their hearts.

Application: Understanding culture is essential for missional preparation.

2. He Began With Respect, Not Rejection

“Men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are very religious.”—Acts 17:22 (NKJ)

Paul finds the one thing they got right—their desire to worship. He affirms their spiritual hunger before he corrects their spiritual error.

Application: Affirm the longing before confronting the direction.

3. He Found Common Ground

Paul noticed an altar that said:

“TO THE UNKNOWN GOD.”—Acts 17:23 (NKJ)

He uses this as a bridge:

“Him I proclaim to you.”—Acts 17:23 (NKJ)

This is brilliant—Paul doesn’t start with what they reject—He starts with what they haven’t yet discovered.

Application: Evangelism is not winning an argument—it’s revealing the God they’re already searching for.

4. He Revealed the One True God Clearly

Paul gives them a crash course in biblical theology:

• God is Creator

  “God, who made the world…” (v. 24)
  

• God is Sovereign

  “He gives to all life, breath, and all things.” (v. 25)
  

• God is the Source of humanity

  “He has made from one blood every nation of men…” (v. 26)
  

• God determines times and boundaries of nations

  “He has appointed their preappointed times…” (v. 26)
  

• God created us to seek Him

  “That they should seek the Lord…” (v. 27)
  

Paul shifts their worldview: From many gods (polytheism) → to One Creator and Lord of all.

5. He Quoted Their Poets to Connect with Their Hearts

Paul quotes Greek thinkers their culture respected:

“As some of your own poets have said,‘For we are also His offspring.’”—Acts 17:28 (NKJ)

Paul is showing: “Your own culture is already hinting at the God I’m preaching.”

Application: You can use cultural language without adopting cultural beliefs.

6. He Confronted Their Error After He Built a Relationship

“Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent.”—Acts 17:30 (NKJ)

He doesn’t leave them in confusion. He calls for repentance—but only after building a bridge.

7. He Pointed Them to the Resurrection of Jesus

“He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.”—Acts 17:31 (NKJ)

Paul zeroes in on:

• One God

• One Savior

• One Judge

• One Resurrection

• One Way

This is the dividing line between Christianity and polytheism.

8. He Accepted Mixed Responses

“Some mocked… some said, ‘We will hear you again’… some joined him and believed.”—Acts 17:32–34 (NKJ)

Paul didn’t panic at rejection. He sowed where hearts were open.

Summary: Paul’s Approach to a Polytheistic World

Paul shows us a masterclass in evangelism:

1. He observed their world.

2. He affirmed their spiritual hunger.

3. He found a cultural bridge.

4. He revealed the true God.

5. He used their own language and poetry.

6. He invited them to repentance.

7. He preached Jesus and the resurrection.

8. He left the results to God.

This is exactly how we should preach in a world full of competing truths, spiritual confusion, and “unknown gods.”