02.33. Civilization and the cross

Civilization and the cross

Jesus has always been a long way ahead of his followers in having a breadth of vision that is wider than the narrow views of nationalism. This was demonstrated when, not long before his crucifixion, some Greeks came to see him.¹ Jesus welcomed them as a sign that his current mission was about to be fulfilled (in his death and resurrection) and a new mission was about to begin (in the evangelization of the Gentiles).

Among the early Christians, the person who came closest to sharing Jesus’ expansive view of the world was Paul. Yet even he needed divine intervention to convince him to take the radical step of leaving Asia and going into Europe. God directed him to Greece and, without hesitation, Paul went.²

Greece was not always the political entity we know today. In Old Testament times part of it was the land of Javan; in New Testament times it covered several states, the most important of which were Macedonia in the north and Achaia in the south.³ Macedonia was the home of Alexander the Great, who in the fourth century BC established an empire that changed the world. People had never before enjoyed a life where education, entertainment, sport and social welfare were so widely available. By New Testament times, Rome was the imperial ruler, but Greek culture and language were still dominant. Greek was spoken everywhere, which made international evangelism easier and provided a language for the New Testament that most people understood. But the human tendency to self-interest can distort or misuse even the most helpful things. Many who accepted the Greek culture regarded themselves as civilized and all others as barbarians. Even Christians were guilty of this, and had to be reminded of what the gospel is and what it demands. At the heart of Christianity is a cross.⁴ 1. John 12:20-26

2. Acts 16:6-10

3. Isaiah 66:19; Ezekiel 27:13; Acts 16:12; Acts 19:21. Biblical Macedonia is not the same as present-day Macedonia, a nation whose major race is Slavic.

4. 1 Corinthians 1:17-25; cf. Romans 1:14

Ruins from 4th Century BC at Delphi, Greece