Is Greek mythology in the Bible? | Acts 14 (Part 1) | Join The Journey Podcast

All right, all right, join the journey, All right, all right, join the journey, family, friends, and guests. You're family, friends, and guests. You're family, friends, and guests. You're listening to Join the Journey Podcast listening to Join the Journey Podcast listening to Join the Journey Podcast with your host, Emma Dotter. with your host, Emma Dotter. with your host, Emma Dotter. >> Thanks for joining. This week, we >> Thanks for joining. This week, we >> Thanks for joining. This week, we [music] are reading Acts 14, and today, [music] are reading Acts 14, and today, [music] are reading Acts 14, and today, we're answering the question, is Greek we're answering the question, is Greek we're answering the question, is Greek mythology in the Bible? mythology in the Bible? mythology in the Bible? Now, when I was in the fifth grade, Now, when I was in the fifth grade, Now, when I was in the fifth grade, something absolutely electric happened something absolutely electric happened something absolutely electric happened at my elementary school. at my elementary school. at my elementary school. An author by the name of Rick Riordan An author by the name of Rick Riordan An author by the name of Rick Riordan came to visit right after a a book for came to visit right after a a book for came to visit right after a a book for kids called The Lightning Thief had been kids called The Lightning Thief had been kids called The Lightning Thief had been released. released. released. And if you perhaps missed that cultural And if you perhaps missed that cultural And if you perhaps missed that cultural moment, uh The Lightning Thief is moment, uh The Lightning Thief is moment, uh The Lightning Thief is basically a story about this kid named basically a story about this kid named basically a story about this kid named Percy Jackson, who discovers that the Percy Jackson, who discovers that the Percy Jackson, who discovers that the Greek gods are still alive and well and Greek gods are still alive and well and Greek gods are still alive and well and interacting with the modern world. Zeus, interacting with the modern world. Zeus, interacting with the modern world. Zeus, Poseidon, Athena, all of the the Poseidon, Athena, all of the the Poseidon, Athena, all of the the legends, if you will. legends, if you will. legends, if you will. And for a bunch of elementary school And for a bunch of elementary school And for a bunch of elementary school kids, having the author come to our kids, having the author come to our kids, having the author come to our school felt like the coolest thing ever, school felt like the coolest thing ever, school felt like the coolest thing ever, because the book was all the rage, and because the book was all the rage, and because the book was all the rage, and suddenly, all of the fifth graders were suddenly, all of the fifth graders were suddenly, all of the fifth graders were really interested in learning about really interested in learning about really interested in learning about Greek mythology, which I'm sure the Greek mythology, which I'm sure the Greek mythology, which I'm sure the teachers loved, because I don't know teachers loved, because I don't know teachers loved, because I don't know that many fifth graders are often super that many fifth graders are often super that many fifth graders are often super amped to learn about ancient history.

amped to learn about ancient history. amped to learn about ancient history. And for me, I I kind of kept learning And for me, I I kind of kept learning And for me, I I kind of kept learning about the Greeks and Romans for a long about the Greeks and Romans for a long about the Greeks and Romans for a long time after that. I uh time after that. I uh time after that. I uh Say a little-known fact about me is that Say a little-known fact about me is that Say a little-known fact about me is that I took Latin in high school. And when I I took Latin in high school. And when I I took Latin in high school. And when I say I took Latin, I mean I fully say I took Latin, I mean I fully say I took Latin, I mean I fully attended Latin competitions. Now, to be attended Latin competitions. Now, to be attended Latin competitions. Now, to be clear, clear, clear, this was not because I was passionately this was not because I was passionately this was not because I was passionately devoted to my study of the dead Latin devoted to my study of the dead Latin devoted to my study of the dead Latin language, language, language, um or really interested in attending um or really interested in attending um or really interested in attending these uh incredibly nerdy conventions. I these uh incredibly nerdy conventions. I these uh incredibly nerdy conventions. I competed at these Latin competitions competed at these Latin competitions competed at these Latin competitions because my teacher told us that if we because my teacher told us that if we because my teacher told us that if we participated, we would get a 100 as a participated, we would get a 100 as a participated, we would get a 100 as a free test grade, which was really free test grade, which was really free test grade, which was really fantastic at a large competitive public fantastic at a large competitive public fantastic at a large competitive public high school in Texas. high school in Texas. high school in Texas. But somewhere along the way, these Latin But somewhere along the way, these Latin But somewhere along the way, these Latin competitions, things got a little out of competitions, things got a little out of competitions, things got a little out of hand because hand because hand because somehow I ended up going to the state somehow I ended up going to the state somehow I ended up going to the state competition and getting fifth place in competition and getting fifth place in competition and getting fifth place in Latin sight reading.

Latin sight reading. Latin sight reading. An event that I chose because it An event that I chose because it An event that I chose because it required the most minimal amount of required the most minimal amount of required the most minimal amount of study and preparation. You kind of just study and preparation. You kind of just study and preparation. You kind of just showed up and read Latin. showed up and read Latin. showed up and read Latin. Which means that there is literally a Which means that there is literally a Which means that there is literally a Latin patch on my high school letterman Latin patch on my high school letterman Latin patch on my high school letterman jacket. jacket. jacket. And uh And uh And uh the funny part, I mean, I don't remember the funny part, I mean, I don't remember the funny part, I mean, I don't remember Latin at all today. Like if you asked me Latin at all today. Like if you asked me Latin at all today. Like if you asked me to translate something right now, we to translate something right now, we to translate something right now, we would be in trouble. would be in trouble. would be in trouble. But the unexpected perk is that I But the unexpected perk is that I But the unexpected perk is that I learned a lot about Greek and Roman learned a lot about Greek and Roman learned a lot about Greek and Roman culture, mythology, religion, their culture, mythology, religion, their culture, mythology, religion, their worldview, that honestly now that worldview, that honestly now that worldview, that honestly now that background actually becomes surprisingly background actually becomes surprisingly background actually becomes surprisingly helpful when reading the book of Acts. helpful when reading the book of Acts. helpful when reading the book of Acts. In Acts 14, Greek mythology seems to In Acts 14, Greek mythology seems to In Acts 14, Greek mythology seems to suddenly show up in this story in a in a suddenly show up in this story in a in a suddenly show up in this story in a in a really fascinating way. really fascinating way. really fascinating way. Uh now, to be clear, Acts 14 isn't about Uh now, to be clear, Acts 14 isn't about Uh now, to be clear, Acts 14 isn't about random Greek mythology trivia or modern random Greek mythology trivia or modern random Greek mythology trivia or modern adaptations of those legends. It's It's adaptations of those legends. It's It's adaptations of those legends. It's It's about how human beings, we instinctively about how human beings, we instinctively about how human beings, we instinctively create stories and idols and categories create stories and idols and categories create stories and idols and categories to explain the world around us.

to explain the world around us. to explain the world around us. The people in Lystra had witnessed the The people in Lystra had witnessed the The people in Lystra had witnessed the power of God and immediately interpreted power of God and immediately interpreted power of God and immediately interpreted it through the lens of Zeus and Hermes it through the lens of Zeus and Hermes it through the lens of Zeus and Hermes because that was the worldview that they because that was the worldview that they because that was the worldview that they knew. knew. knew. And if we're honest, And if we're honest, And if we're honest, we do this today. All of us have a we do this today. All of us have a we do this today. All of us have a worldview. worldview. worldview. We constantly try to fit Jesus into We constantly try to fit Jesus into We constantly try to fit Jesus into categories our culture gives us rather categories our culture gives us rather categories our culture gives us rather than allowing Jesus to completely than allowing Jesus to completely than allowing Jesus to completely reshape the way we view the culture. reshape the way we view the culture. reshape the way we view the culture. So, So, So, what can we learn from the presence of what can we learn from the presence of what can we learn from the presence of Greek mythology popping up in Acts 14? Greek mythology popping up in Acts 14? Greek mythology popping up in Acts 14? Let me set the scene because it gets Let me set the scene because it gets Let me set the scene because it gets chaotic very fast. Paul and Barnabas, chaotic very fast. Paul and Barnabas, chaotic very fast. Paul and Barnabas, they're in a city called Lystra, they're in a city called Lystra, they're in a city called Lystra, which is located in the Roman province which is located in the Roman province which is located in the Roman province of Galatia in what's now modern-day of Galatia in what's now modern-day of Galatia in what's now modern-day Turkey. Turkey. Turkey. And unlike many cities we've seen so far And unlike many cities we've seen so far And unlike many cities we've seen so far in the book of Acts, Lystra doesn't in the book of Acts, Lystra doesn't in the book of Acts, Lystra doesn't appear to have a significant Jewish appear to have a significant Jewish appear to have a significant Jewish presence or even a synagogue, which is presence or even a synagogue, which is presence or even a synagogue, which is different. It's a deeply pagan, different. It's a deeply pagan, different. It's a deeply pagan, overwhelmingly Gentile-shaped city overwhelmingly Gentile-shaped city overwhelmingly Gentile-shaped city that's shaped and formed and heavily that's shaped and formed and heavily that's shaped and formed and heavily influenced by Greek and Roman mythology influenced by Greek and Roman mythology influenced by Greek and Roman mythology or religion.

or religion. or religion. And after Paul heals a man who'd been And after Paul heals a man who'd been And after Paul heals a man who'd been unable to walk from birth, the crowd unable to walk from birth, the crowd unable to walk from birth, the crowd just goes crazy. They lose it. Acts just goes crazy. They lose it. Acts just goes crazy. They lose it. Acts 14:11, they say, "The gods have come 14:11, they say, "The gods have come 14:11, they say, "The gods have come down to us in human form." And then Luke down to us in human form." And then Luke down to us in human form." And then Luke gives us this fascinating detail. They gives us this fascinating detail. They gives us this fascinating detail. They called Barnabas Zeus and Paul Hermes. called Barnabas Zeus and Paul Hermes. called Barnabas Zeus and Paul Hermes. Which if you aren't familiar with Greek Which if you aren't familiar with Greek Which if you aren't familiar with Greek mythology, those are names of Greek mythology, those are names of Greek mythology, those are names of Greek gods. And so, here's what most readers gods. And so, here's what most readers gods. And so, here's what most readers maybe wouldn't realize. Uh maybe wouldn't realize. Uh maybe wouldn't realize. Uh This reaction probably didn't come out This reaction probably didn't come out This reaction probably didn't come out of nowhere. And it also probably didn't of nowhere. And it also probably didn't of nowhere. And it also probably didn't come out of a general cultural sense. It come out of a general cultural sense. It come out of a general cultural sense. It was very specific. Something specific was very specific. Something specific was very specific. Something specific was going on. Historians have discovered was going on. Historians have discovered was going on. Historians have discovered evidence that this specific region that evidence that this specific region that evidence that this specific region that Paul and Barnabas were in Paul and Barnabas were in Paul and Barnabas were in had an existing local legend that Zeus had an existing local legend that Zeus had an existing local legend that Zeus and Hermes had once visited the area and Hermes had once visited the area and Hermes had once visited the area disguised as humans. disguised as humans. disguised as humans. According to the myth, when they According to the myth, when they According to the myth, when they visited, most people rejected them and visited, most people rejected them and visited, most people rejected them and were judged. However, one elderly couple were judged. However, one elderly couple were judged. However, one elderly couple welcomed them and was rewarded.

welcomed them and was rewarded. welcomed them and was rewarded. So, when Paul heals this man, So, when Paul heals this man, So, when Paul heals this man, the crowd is probably thinking the gods the crowd is probably thinking the gods the crowd is probably thinking the gods are back and we are absolutely not are back and we are absolutely not are back and we are absolutely not failing the test this time. failing the test this time. failing the test this time. Which also explains another strange Which also explains another strange Which also explains another strange detail in the text. Why the priest of detail in the text. Why the priest of detail in the text. Why the priest of Zeus suddenly shows up with bulls and Zeus suddenly shows up with bulls and Zeus suddenly shows up with bulls and wreaths preparing sacrifices. wreaths preparing sacrifices. wreaths preparing sacrifices. That wasn't random. That wasn't random. That wasn't random. In the ancient world animals destined In the ancient world animals destined In the ancient world animals destined for sacrifice were often decorated with for sacrifice were often decorated with for sacrifice were often decorated with garlands and led in celebratory garlands and led in celebratory garlands and led in celebratory processions. So this crowd was fully processions. So this crowd was fully processions. So this crowd was fully preparing to worship Paul and Barnabas preparing to worship Paul and Barnabas preparing to worship Paul and Barnabas as Greek gods, as divine as Greek gods, as divine as Greek gods, as divine beings. And one detail [snorts] I I'd beings. And one detail [snorts] I I'd beings. And one detail [snorts] I I'd actually never noticed until studying actually never noticed until studying actually never noticed until studying and preparing for this episode and preparing for this episode and preparing for this episode is that Luke notes that the crowd was is that Luke notes that the crowd was is that Luke notes that the crowd was all shouting all of this, this whole all shouting all of this, this whole all shouting all of this, this whole conversation in Lycaonian language. Most conversation in Lycaonian language. Most conversation in Lycaonian language. Most people in this region functioned in people in this region functioned in people in this region functioned in three languages. Greek for broader three languages. Greek for broader three languages. Greek for broader communication across the empire, Latin communication across the empire, Latin communication across the empire, Latin for Roman administration, and their for Roman administration, and their for Roman administration, and their local native dialect, in this case local native dialect, in this case local native dialect, in this case Lycaonian.

Lycaonian. Lycaonian. Which means then that Paul and Barnabas Which means then that Paul and Barnabas Which means then that Paul and Barnabas may not have had any idea what was may not have had any idea what was may not have had any idea what was happening at first. happening at first. happening at first. Most commentators believe Luke includes Most commentators believe Luke includes Most commentators believe Luke includes the detail that the crowd was speaking the detail that the crowd was speaking the detail that the crowd was speaking in Lycaonian to explain why Paul and in Lycaonian to explain why Paul and in Lycaonian to explain why Paul and Barnabas didn't immediately stop the Barnabas didn't immediately stop the Barnabas didn't immediately stop the situation. situation. situation. These missionaries, Paul and Barnabas, These missionaries, Paul and Barnabas, These missionaries, Paul and Barnabas, they likely didn't realize that the they likely didn't realize that the they likely didn't realize that the crowd was preparing to worship them. crowd was preparing to worship them. crowd was preparing to worship them. They might be thinking they're standing They might be thinking they're standing They might be thinking they're standing there thinking like, "Everyone's so there thinking like, "Everyone's so there thinking like, "Everyone's so excited about this miracle." While in excited about this miracle." While in excited about this miracle." While in the background a literal sacrifice the background a literal sacrifice the background a literal sacrifice parade is forming. parade is forming. parade is forming. Another fascinating detail, Barnabas is Another fascinating detail, Barnabas is Another fascinating detail, Barnabas is identified as Zeus, the chief god of the identified as Zeus, the chief god of the identified as Zeus, the chief god of the Greek gods. And when I say god, lower Greek gods. And when I say god, lower Greek gods. And when I say god, lower case G. case G. case G. While Paul is identified as Hermes While Paul is identified as Hermes While Paul is identified as Hermes because he was the primary speaker. In because he was the primary speaker. In because he was the primary speaker. In Greek mythology Hermes was known as the Greek mythology Hermes was known as the Greek mythology Hermes was known as the messenger god associated with speech and messenger god associated with speech and messenger god associated with speech and communication and interpretation. In communication and interpretation. In communication and interpretation. In fact, our word hermeneutics, fact, our word hermeneutics, fact, our word hermeneutics, which refers to the study of which refers to the study of which refers to the study of interpretation or good Bible study interpretation or good Bible study interpretation or good Bible study method, comes from Hermes' name. But method, comes from Hermes' name. But method, comes from Hermes' name. But then the entire scene, it just flips then the entire scene, it just flips then the entire scene, it just flips dramatically. The same crowd that wants dramatically. The same crowd that wants dramatically. The same crowd that wants to worship Paul to worship Paul to worship Paul eventually turns against him and nearly eventually turns against him and nearly eventually turns against him and nearly stones him to death.

stones him to death. stones him to death. One commentator put it this way. One commentator put it this way. One commentator put it this way. Disillusioned fanatics are easily led Disillusioned fanatics are easily led Disillusioned fanatics are easily led into contradictory actions. into contradictory actions. into contradictory actions. Disillusioned fanatics are easily led Disillusioned fanatics are easily led Disillusioned fanatics are easily led into contradictory actions. In other into contradictory actions. In other into contradictory actions. In other words, words, words, crowds built on emotion and excitement crowds built on emotion and excitement crowds built on emotion and excitement can turn incredibly quickly. One minute, can turn incredibly quickly. One minute, can turn incredibly quickly. One minute, Paul's treated like a god. Paul's treated like a god. Paul's treated like a god. The next minute, he's dragged out of the The next minute, he's dragged out of the The next minute, he's dragged out of the city as if he's garbage. city as if he's garbage. city as if he's garbage. This passage gives us such a vivid This passage gives us such a vivid This passage gives us such a vivid window window window into the spiritual confusion of the into the spiritual confusion of the into the spiritual confusion of the ancient Greco-Roman world. ancient Greco-Roman world. ancient Greco-Roman world. Greek mythology wasn't merely Greek mythology wasn't merely Greek mythology wasn't merely entertainment to these people as it was entertainment to these people as it was entertainment to these people as it was to me as a fifth grader reading Percy to me as a fifth grader reading Percy to me as a fifth grader reading Percy Jackson. Jackson. Jackson. It shaped how they understood reality, It shaped how they understood reality, It shaped how they understood reality, the gods, suffering, blessing, nature, the gods, suffering, blessing, nature, the gods, suffering, blessing, nature, power, and worship. power, and worship. power, and worship. Makes Paul's response so important Makes Paul's response so important Makes Paul's response so important because he immediately redirects their because he immediately redirects their because he immediately redirects their attention away from mythology, myths, attention away from mythology, myths, attention away from mythology, myths, falsehoods, and toward the one true falsehoods, and toward the one true falsehoods, and toward the one true creator god.

creator god. creator god. At its core, At its core, At its core, this is a story about misplaced worship. this is a story about misplaced worship. this is a story about misplaced worship. The people of Lystra witnessed the power The people of Lystra witnessed the power The people of Lystra witnessed the power of the one true god, but instead of of the one true god, but instead of of the one true god, but instead of worshipping the one true god, worshipping the one true god, worshipping the one true god, they redirected their worship toward they redirected their worship toward they redirected their worship toward created things. They tried to fit the created things. They tried to fit the created things. They tried to fit the work of Yahweh into their categories, work of Yahweh into their categories, work of Yahweh into their categories, the categories their culture understood, the categories their culture understood, the categories their culture understood, Zeus, Hermes, mythology, pagan religion. Zeus, Hermes, mythology, pagan religion. Zeus, Hermes, mythology, pagan religion. And Paul and Barnabas responded And Paul and Barnabas responded And Paul and Barnabas responded strongly, but it's because strongly, but it's because strongly, but it's because faith in Jesus doesn't simply offer one faith in Jesus doesn't simply offer one faith in Jesus doesn't simply offer one more lowercase G God to add to the more lowercase G God to add to the more lowercase G God to add to the shelf. shelf. shelf. The gospel calls people to turn from The gospel calls people to turn from The gospel calls people to turn from idols to the living God who made heaven idols to the living God who made heaven idols to the living God who made heaven and earth. Acts 14:15. and earth. Acts 14:15. and earth. Acts 14:15. This story, it's it's relevant to us This story, it's it's relevant to us This story, it's it's relevant to us today because humans are still today because humans are still today because humans are still worshipers. worshipers. worshipers. We still take good things like success We still take good things like success We still take good things like success or relationships, influence, politics, or relationships, influence, politics, or relationships, influence, politics, money, comfort, self-expression, and money, comfort, self-expression, and money, comfort, self-expression, and elevate them elevate them elevate them into ultimate things.

into ultimate things. into ultimate things. The names of the idols might have The names of the idols might have The names of the idols might have changed, but the human heart hasn't changed, but the human heart hasn't changed, but the human heart hasn't changed very much. changed very much. changed very much. Acts 14 reminds us that the greatest Acts 14 reminds us that the greatest Acts 14 reminds us that the greatest problem, or one of the greatest problems problem, or one of the greatest problems problem, or one of the greatest problems in the human condition, in the human condition, in the human condition, isn't ignorance. isn't ignorance. isn't ignorance. It's misdirected worship. It's misdirected worship. It's misdirected worship. The story, it's also about the The story, it's also about the The story, it's also about the missionary wisdom of Paul. missionary wisdom of Paul. missionary wisdom of Paul. Notice how differently he speaks here Notice how differently he speaks here Notice how differently he speaks here compared to the synagogue sermons compared to the synagogue sermons compared to the synagogue sermons earlier in Acts. earlier in Acts. earlier in Acts. He doesn't begin with Abraham, David, or He doesn't begin with Abraham, David, or He doesn't begin with Abraham, David, or Old Testament prophecy because this Old Testament prophecy because this Old Testament prophecy because this audience doesn't have that biblical audience doesn't have that biblical audience doesn't have that biblical framework. framework. framework. Instead, he begins with creation, rain, Instead, he begins with creation, rain, Instead, he begins with creation, rain, crops, food, joy, crops, food, joy, crops, food, joy, all things these people could observe. all things these people could observe. all things these people could observe. In other words, Paul understood that In other words, Paul understood that In other words, Paul understood that effective gospel communication requires effective gospel communication requires effective gospel communication requires an understanding of the worldview of an understanding of the worldview of an understanding of the worldview of your audience. your audience. your audience. The gospel itself never changes. The gospel itself never changes. The gospel itself never changes. But faithful followers of Jesus must But faithful followers of Jesus must But faithful followers of Jesus must learn how to explain eternal truth in learn how to explain eternal truth in learn how to explain eternal truth in ways people ways people ways people from varying backgrounds can actually from varying backgrounds can actually from varying backgrounds can actually understand.

understand. understand. And then lastly, And then lastly, And then lastly, this story reminds us how unstable human this story reminds us how unstable human this story reminds us how unstable human praise really is. praise really is. praise really is. The same crowd that wanted to worship The same crowd that wanted to worship The same crowd that wanted to worship Paul Paul Paul eventually stoned him and left him for eventually stoned him and left him for eventually stoned him and left him for dead. dead. dead. Human approval is fickle. Human approval is fickle. Human approval is fickle. One minute people might idolize you, One minute people might idolize you, One minute people might idolize you, the next they reject you. the next they reject you. the next they reject you. Which is why Paul and Barnabas Which is why Paul and Barnabas Which is why Paul and Barnabas immediately reject all glory away from immediately reject all glory away from immediately reject all glory away from themselves and toward God. themselves and toward God. themselves and toward God. They understood something we desperately They understood something we desperately They understood something we desperately need to remember today. And it's that if need to remember today. And it's that if need to remember today. And it's that if we build our identity on human praise, we build our identity on human praise, we build our identity on human praise, we'll eventually be crushed by human we'll eventually be crushed by human we'll eventually be crushed by human criticism, too. criticism, too. criticism, too. As we close, here are three questions to As we close, here are three questions to As we close, here are three questions to think about. think about. think about. Question one. Question one. Question one. What are some categories or cultural What are some categories or cultural What are some categories or cultural assumptions that might shape the way you assumptions that might shape the way you assumptions that might shape the way you think about God without you even think about God without you even think about God without you even realizing it? realizing it? realizing it? Number two. Number two. Number two. What good thing in your life is most What good thing in your life is most What good thing in your life is most tempting you to turn into an ultimate tempting you to turn into an ultimate tempting you to turn into an ultimate thing? Something you look to for thing? Something you look to for thing? Something you look to for identity, security, meaning, or hope identity, security, meaning, or hope identity, security, meaning, or hope instead of God.

instead of God. instead of God. And number three. And number three. And number three. Paul redirected people from false Paul redirected people from false Paul redirected people from false worship toward the living creator God. worship toward the living creator God. worship toward the living creator God. Who in your life might need someone to Who in your life might need someone to Who in your life might need someone to lovingly help reframe their lovingly help reframe their lovingly help reframe their understanding of who God truly is? understanding of who God truly is? understanding of who God truly is? That's all we've got time for today, but That's all we've got time for today, but That's all we've got time for today, but as always, I'm so glad we're all on this as always, I'm so glad we're all on this as always, I'm so glad we're all on this journey of abiding in Jesus [music] journey of abiding in Jesus [music] journey of abiding in Jesus [music] together.