Nougat 4

There’s a time to be original and there’s a time to be creative with someone else’s work. Although it appears in our Bible, today’s Holy Nougat actually takes us to the era of the philosophers.

“‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’” Acts 17:28 NIV

This Nougat contains two separate quotes popularized in Paul’s time. They are originally attributed to Arstus of Tarsus and Cleanthes of Asses. And no. They were not originally intended for YHWH, although dedicated to a ‘supreme being’. The first quote, ‘in Him we live and move and have our being’, is an ‘Invocation to Zeus’. It is further assumed that the latter’ ‘we are his offspring’, also speaks of him.

When we consider that Paul wrote to a Gentile congregation, it may help us to appreciate his use of local thoughts, quotes and idioms. He also sought to present his case for the preeminence of Christ over ALL other gods, including Zeus and Cesar. Paul’s strategy thus included a bit of legal logic combined with local sayings.

Within Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer’, He implied that we are ‘IN this world but not OF the world’. Within that premise is the understanding that while alive, we exist within a particular culture. A culture that shapes our thinking at least in our formative years. In embracing Christ however, we see some aspects differently, and the outworking of that newer understanding. (See the Christ … Culture conversations which speak to this in more detail – Above, With, In, etc.).

Paul’s argument is clear – Christ is over all, through all and in all (Ephesians 4:1). He is even over Zeus! [For although the argument given in Ephesians is about God’s identity, as God’s Son, it also defines Christ]. Being over (ie, having greater power and authority than) Zeus means that He, Jesus, deserves the worship, adoration and adulation. For Zeus was the highest of the pantheon of Greek gods.

Paul’s argument still holds for us today; regardless of the names we ascribe to the gods of this age. Whether materialism, narcissism, colonialism, lies or fear; Jesus triumphs over them all. It may be instructive to also get a deeper understanding about our culture as we speak to others. For though Christ transcends culture; we often interpret life from that perspective.

Finally, I dare suggest that Paul’s argument still holds true; for it Is a true summary of our reality: it is IN Christ that we live, move and have our being. More on what that means soon.

—

May all we seek be found in Christ