Proclaiming the Kerygma in Athens: The Argument of Acts 17:16-34 in Light of the Epicurean and Stoic Debates about Piety and Divine Images in Early Post-Hellenistic Times

Monique Cuany proposes a new answer to the relationship between the speech's main part and its Christian conclusion and the relationship between the speech's message and Greek philosophy. She suggests that the Christian appendix is the climax of the argument and would have been more easily understood by a Greek audience.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 229 pages
Publication date: 09 October 2023
Publisher: JCB Mohr (Paul Siebeck)

Monique Cuany aims to address two significant questions that continue to divide and perplex commentators regarding the speech in Athens in Acts 17:16-34. Firstly, she seeks to understand the relationship between the speech's main body and its Christian conclusion. Secondly, she explores the connection between the speech's message and Greek philosophy. To answer these questions, the author conducts an in-depth analysis of the religious and philosophical context alluded to in Acts 17 and conducts a meticulous verse-by-verse examination of the speech.

In her proposal, the author suggests that the so-called Christian appendix, which has long been perceived as disconnected from the rest of the speech and lacking historical verisimilitude in light of the audience depicted by the narrative, is, in fact, the climax of the speech's argument. She argues that a Greek audience would have found it more easily understandable than previously thought.

The author delves into the religious context, examining the references to the gods and goddesses of the ancient Greek pantheon, such as Zeus, Athena, and Apollo. She argues that these references serve as a means to establish a common ground of understanding between the Christian audience and the Greek philosophers present in the audience. By highlighting the similarities between the Christian worldview and Greek philosophical ideas, the author aims to demonstrate that the speech is not a clash of cultures but rather a dialogue between different perspectives.

Furthermore, the author analyzes the philosophical themes present in the speech, such as the concept of God, the nature of reality, and the role of reason in understanding the world. She suggests that the speech employs philosophical arguments and rhetorical devices to persuade the Greek audience to consider the Christian message. By presenting the Christian worldview as a logical and rational alternative to Greek philosophy, the author aims to bridge the gap between the two and encourage the audience to embrace the truth of Christianity.

In conclusion, Monique Cuany's study offers a fresh perspective on the speech in Athens in Acts 17:16-34. Through an in-depth analysis of the religious and philosophical context and a meticulous verse-by-verse examination of the speech, she proposes a new answer to the relationship between the speech's main part and its Christian conclusion. She also challenges the traditional understanding of the relationship between the speech's message and Greek philosophy, suggesting that the Christian appendix is the climax of the argument and would have been more easily understood by a Greek audience than previously thought. This study contributes to our understanding of the speech and its significance in the early Christian missionary efforts in the Greco-Roman world.

Weight: 362g
Dimension: 156 x 235 x 16 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783161614279