ATHENS

The Distractions of Athens, Alexandria, and Babylon

“The World”

Disciples Decisions   (Let’s Review)  

Side 1 of the Disciples Cube – Am I Willing to Follow?

Side 2 of the Disciples Cube – Am I Willing to Learn?

Side 3 of the Disciples Cube – Am I Willing to Fish?

Disciples Distractions… The next 3 sides of the cube

City Trap Emphasis  Escape 
1. Athens The World Ideas / Systems Renew the Mind  (Romans 12:2)
2. Alexandria The Flesh Emotions / Secrets Crucify the Flesh (Gal. 5:24) 
3. Babylon The Devil Deceptions / Power Resist the Devil   (James 4:7) 

On all six sides we learn “Apologetics” which means the Reasons, Evidences & Answers that Defend a Biblical Worldview. (R.E.A.D.)  A disciple makes: 

3 Decisions a disciple makes and understands, then 

3 Distractions that impact Christians and Non-Christians

Inside the Cube we review the 7 Claims that Jesus Made about himself.  We call these claims The 7 Blades …. because His words … Divide our thinking from things He reveals.

Accepting His Words TRANSFORM us. This transformation is explained in Ephesians 2 

“You were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following               the course of this world, following         WORLD – ATHENS
the prince of the power of the air,           DEVIL –  BABYLON
the spirit that is now at work in
the sons of disobedience among whom we all once lived
in the passions of our flesh, carrying out
the desires of the body and                      FLESH – ALEXANDER
the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.”

Three cities surround Jerusalem. (God’s written and living Revelation)

  1. Many people “live” mainly influenced by Athens (The World System), 
  2. Many people “live” mainly influenced by Alexandria  (The Flesh) 
  3. Many people “live” mainly influenced by Babylon (The Devil) 

These “Cities of Thought” impact everyone. 

1. Athens   “The World” 2. What?                 3. When?
4  Where?   5   Why?           6. How?   
7. Example 1         8. Example 2           7. Example 3              

1. Who were these people?  

Paul at Mars Hill engaged the philosophers (Acts 17) by affirming truth, confronting idolatry, and pointing to Christ’s resurrection. He reasoned with love and boldness but did not compromise. 

Athens was the city of Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle—the birthplace of Western philosophy. Its people were seekers of knowledge but not of divine truth (Acts 17:21). 

Seeking knowledge without God’s revelation results in the practice of constantly learning, but never arriving at the truth. (2 Tim. 3:7).

Our culture has switched from a culture rooted in the Jewish/Christian Worldview to a Greek Worldview rooted in “science” 

2. What is the message? 

Dr, Ken Ham explains how we have reverted back to the thinking of this Greek Culture. He explains that we need to “De-Greek”.   (insert this message here) 

Athens was a cultural, philosophical, and artistic center—focused on human wisdom, debate, and idolatrous religion (Acts 17:16). 

“The World System of thinking”

Philosophers understood that a “Prime Mover” or intelligent designer existed. But they needed the revelation (God’s Word) to reveal Christ as Creator, Savior, Judge and King. 

Aristotle (4th century BC) taught that a necessary, eternal being causes all motion but is itself unmoved. This eternal being was not a personal god; more like a metaphysical principle of pure actuality. 

This concept is like the academic metaphysics taught in many universities today. 

Deism began in the 1700’s is the Belief in a creator god who sets the universe in motion but does not intervene. Some enlightenment thinkers like Voltaire, Jefferson, and Paine accepted this notion and it is still affirmed today by those who reject organized religion.

Paul’s Message in Acts 17:22–31 (to the Athenians) focuses on a…

  • Creator God – “The God who made the world and everything in it…” (v.24) 
  • Sovereign Lord – “…does not live in temples made by man…” (v.24)\
  • Sustainer of Life “…He Himself gives to all mankind life… & everything…” (v.25) 
  • Relational Purpose “…that they should seek God… He is not far from each one of us…” (v.27) 
  • Calls for Repentance  “…commands all people everywhere to repent…” (v.30)
  • Appointed Judge “…He has fixed a day… by Jesus]…” (v.31)
  • Proof of Resurrection “…He has given assurance by raising Him from the dead.” (v.31)

Paul corrects both idol worship and philosophical abstractions (like the impersonal Prime Mover) by presenting: The personal, knowable, moral, and risen Lord—Jesus Christ.

Today, most people have never had a course in Logic. We need to Argue, then Illustrate, then Apply like Paul did. We need to use “A.I.A.”

A – Argue at level 1,   

 I – Illustrate at level 2, then 

A – Apply at level 3

Thankfully, we have hundreds of good, sound, logical arguments online. Sharing links can impact the way people think.

“Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2  

The Issue:  Conformity or Transformation.

3. When do these ideas “mess with our minds”?

I was viewing the recent U.S. Tennis match and the themes we are surrounded by were express in many ways.

“Mystical Magical”  Reflects Alexandria

This isn’t rational argument (Athens / the world) or demonic deception (Babylon / the devil). It’s fleshly longing and emotional experience (Alexandria) 

4. Where was Athens?  

Located in southern Greece, Athens was a coastal city known for the Areopagus, Parthenon, and marketplace of ideas. 

The School of Athens, a fresco by Raphael depicts a congregation of ancient philosophers, mathematicians, and scientists, with Plato and Aristotle featured in the center. 

In all cities of the world we find the spirit of Athens. Romans 1:14-34 – Paul wrote that “God’s divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made”. 

Peter Kreeft wrote The Journey: A Spiritual Roadmap for Modern Pilgrims. This book is a roadmap for modern pilgrims walking the ancient paths in search of reality. 

Crucial questions present decisive turns along the road, 

  • Is there truth?
  • Does meaning exist?
  • Is there right and wrong?
  • Does God exist, and if so, what is he like?

Athens represents human-centered thinking, indulgence, and self-satisfaction. To prioritize pleasure, comfort, and self-reliance over spiritual discipline.

The Biblical warning: 

– Galatians 5:16 – “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”

– 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 – “Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit… Therefore glorify God in your body.”

Christians focus on true worship instead of indulgence in fleshly thinking. 

5. Why not the world system? 

The Athenians sought meaning through rationalism, art, and polytheistic religion — rejecting the exclusivity of Christ. 

Man became the measure of all things. The many altars including one “to an unknown god” (Acts 17:23) is an example of man-centered thinking. The debates in the public square exalted reason above revelation. God’s Word says:

“Do not love
the world or the things in
the world. If anyone loves
the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  For all that is in
the world— the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and
pride of life is not from the Father but is from
the world. And
the world is passing away along with its desires,
but whoever does the will of God abides forever.”   1 John 2:15–17

6. How do we deal with the thinking of Athens?

We build relationships with people who take ACTion. God is using …

A – Answers in Genesis

C – Classical Christian Schools

T – Turning Point USA

We understand the real “Ultimate Fighting Championship” Instead of boxing, wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Muay Thai, and karate… we fight the fight described in Ephesians 6:12  “For we wrestle not ….

  • against flesh and blood, but 
  • against principalities, 
  • against powers, 
  • against the rulers of the darkness of this world, 
  • against spiritual wickedness in high places.”

The U.F.C. we fight … 

U – Understand the Created Order

  • Teach students that reality is knowable, ordered, and designed by God.
  • Natural law begins with understanding that truth, goodness, and beauty exist and are not subjective.
  • Classical education reintroduces metaphysics and moral law as foundational truths

Psalm 19, Romans 1:20 – God’s attributes are clearly seen in creation.

F – Form the Moral Imagination

  • Through great literature, history, and virtue-based training, students are shaped to recognize good and evil.
  • Habits of thought and affections are trained toward the good, the true, and the beautiful.
  • Moral exemplars (e.g., Socrates, Christ, Wilberforce) embody natural law in action. 

Romans 12:2 – Do not conform to the world, but be transformed…

C – Conform to God’s Design

  • Education is not just information—it is the foundation for a life of virtue.
  • Students learn to conform their lives to God’s design for humanity, discovering true freedom in obedience.
  • This opposes progressive education, which seeks to remake man in man’s image. 

Again: Romans 12:2 – Do not conform to the world, but be transformed…

7.  Example 1: Classical Christian Schools

Study the difference between Classical Schools vs. Classical Christian Schools. 

Classical Christian Education is a return to the education that our founding fathers enjoyed. It was rooted in (Natural Law) Athens and (Supernatural Law) Jerusalem.

The goal of Classical Christian Education is to develop students who can think, write, and speak freely about God and His world. 

IMPORTANT WORD:  What does the Greek word Paideia mean? This link takes you to the Classical Christian Movement website. 

This book is one of the most important books I have read in my lifetime. 

Battle for the American Mind with David Goodwin and Pete Hegseth

Video Series based on this book A six-part video series along with this book provides a roadmap to return to good education for our families.

8. Example 2: Science and Philosophy

Early Apologists (e.g., Justin Martyr) Justin and others used philosophy to build bridges to the gospel, showing how Christ fulfills the longings of the pagan world, yet submitted philosophy to Scripture. 

Today philosophers like ….

Stephen C. Meyer’s book Return of the God Hypothesis: Three

Scientific Discoveries That Reveal the Mind Behind the Universe

3 important Arguments: 

  • The Universe had a beginning. 
  • The Fine-Tuned Solar System 
  • The Cell has vast information. 

These core arguments are important in the “Truth Wars”. These three U.F.C arguments  

Were discussed with former fighter Joe Rogan when he interviewed Dr. Meyers 

Joe Rogan interviews Stephen C. Meyers

A.I. 

John Lennox  has a new book entitled 2084 (not 1984)

Lithium & SmartPhones

Smartphones are made from a complex mix of materials, including metals like aluminum, copper, and gold, plastics, glass, semiconductors (like silicon), and rare earth elements like lithium etc. All a gift from our Creator.

Origin of Life Researchers

Dr. James Tour has challenged those working to explain the origin of life. It is a fact that chemists must provide answers before biologists can speak with logic and rationality. 

The ideas that Darwin wrote about have been totally destroyed by modern science. Dr. Tour’s presentations on youtube are very important. 

Dr. Tour EXPOSES the False Science Behind Origin of Life Research

Genetics Researchers

Dr. Nathaniel Jeanson is pioneering groundbreaking studies in the realm of genetics, using DNA from people all around the world to prove a biblical timeline. 

Nathaniel Jeanson shows how the male Y chromosomes  TRACE people groups all over the world. 

Scientific study is a friend to Christians willing to engage in the art and science of discipleship. In these battles we must always have the courage of a soldier, the convictions of an athlete, and the competence of a hard-working farmer. 

9. Example 3:

Modern Cultural Engagement Christians today confront “Athens” by engaging media, education, and culture with a biblical worldview—not withdrawing, but proclaiming Christ as Lord over every field (2 Cor. 10:5). 

Every church, school and network needs a discipleship strategy that focuses on

The Big picture – a Worldview Raodmap that builds the framework for a university

The Details – a Disciples Cune which explained 7 things we have when we have Jesus, the three decisions a disciples makes and the three distractions 

The Declaration – Attacks (inside and outside the church) on the foundation of a cogent worldview begin in Genesis. We reveal leaders who address this attack. 

Huge WAR in our Schools  

“See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, 

according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits

of the world, and not according to Christ.” Colossians. 2:8

Historical Problem of Universities.

  1. God’s plan is the local church, with deacons and pastors, etc. 
  2. Pastors devote themselves to prayer, study, teaching, and overseeing.
  3. If the church recognizes a young man that has the gift of teaching they must map out an education that will prepare him properly. Letting a young man wander off into an education program without a plan is not wise. 
  4. Disciples University should be in every Bible school and church ministry. Why? Because it follows a process: Worldview Informs Discipleship.
  5. A Secular University will corrupt the thinking of young leaders.
  6. Why? Because most Universities have left the Biblical foundation. What worldview do the professors embrace? 
  7. A church that guides students into a Biblical Worldview path that ends up in discipleship must be the focus. 

Hillsdale College provides free online courses that help you build a Christian Mind. 

Summary:

  • The God of the Bible is not just the First Cause or a metaphysical principle. He is Creator, Lord, Judge, and Father.
  • Paul confronted both Athenian polytheism and Greek philosophy’s Prime Mover by declaring a risen Savior who demands a response.
  • Today’s non-biblical “prime mover” ideas still fall short—they lack personhood, love, judgment, and redemption.

Athens asks us: 

  1. Do I conform to the world or am I transformed by the renewing of my mind? (Rom. 12:2)
  2. Am I ashamed of the gospel in intellectual circles? (Rom. 1:16)
  3. Do I confront the idols of the age with truth and compassion?

More on “The Drift” of the Universities

As sinners we all slip, slide away.  We are influenced by the world system, our own flesh and the Devil.  We must “Be firm, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”  1 Corinthians 15:58

The early universities in America, such as Harvard, Princeton, Yale, and others, were founded with strong Christian influences, but over time, they secularized. Here’s an overview of their Christian roots and how long they remained distinctly Christian:

A. Harvard University (Founded 1636)

  • Christian Beginnings: Established by Puritans to train ministers. Its motto was “Veritas Christo et Ecclesiae” (Truth for Christ and the Church).
  • Shift Toward Secularism: By the late 1700s, Unitarianism began influencing Harvard, weakening its orthodox Christian identity. By the mid-to-late 1800s, it had largely secularized.
  • Christian Influence Duration: Roughly 100-150 years before significant secular shifts.

B. Yale University (Founded 1701)

  • Christian Beginnings: Founded by Congregationalist ministers to uphold Puritan theology and counter Harvard’s drift from orthodoxy.
  • Shift Toward Secularism: Yale remained relatively conservative until the late 1800s. The rise of higher criticism and modernist theology led to a decline in explicit Christian influence.
  • Christian Influence Duration: About 150-200 years before becoming broadly secular.

C. Princeton University (Founded 1746)

  • Christian Beginnings: Founded by New Light Presbyterians to train clergy. Key figures included Jonathan Edwards and Charles Hodge, who championed biblical inerrancy.
  • Shift Toward Secularism: Princeton’s theological seminary remained conservative longer than its university. The secular shift began in the early 1900s, especially after Woodrow Wilson’s presidency (1902-1910) and the rise of liberal theology.
  • Christian Influence Duration: About 150-175 years before significant secularization.

D. Columbia University (Founded 1754)

  • Christian Beginnings: Originally Anglican (Church of England) and focused on Christian education.
  • Shift Toward Secularism: Gradual secularization occurred in the 1800s, aligning with Enlightenment ideas.
  • Christian Influence Duration: Roughly 100-150 years before becoming secular.

E. Dartmouth College (Founded 1769)

  • Christian Beginnings: Founded as a Christian school to train Native Americans and ministers in biblical faith.
  • Shift Toward Secularism: Lost its overt Christian mission in the late 1800s.
  • Christian Influence Duration: About 100-150 years before major secular trends.

God help Us.