Greek week continues today with my advenutures in three of the most significant ancient Greek/Macedonian cities. These three have incredible ruins that give such insight into the amazing culture of the Greco-Roman empire. The architecture is unmatched, the creativity is inspiring and the culture was so rich with art, music, philosophy, entertainment and religion. I would go back in a heartbeat but for now, just a quick look through.
Ephesus
First on the journey was to the modern city of Kusadasi, Turkey but which was anciently known as Ephesus. It was a thriving port city in biblical times, ruled by Rome, but today it is a few miles off shore as the water level has changed dramatically. Ephesus and the country of Turkey was so fascinating to me that I could have spent all day there, if not more. The ancient ruins are incredible and there is still so much more to be excavated. We toured through and I kept thinking, ‘this city is so majestic in ruins that I can’t imagine it during its prime.’ It is a majestic city and Paul traveled there, notated in Acts 19, to share the good news of Jesus Christ with the Ephesians. ‘He entered the synagogue and for three months spoke boldly, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God. But when some became stubborn and continued in unbelief, speaking evil of the Way before the congregation, he withdrew from them and took the disciples with him, reasoning daily in the hall of Tyrannus.This continued for two years, so that all the residents of Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.” (19:8-10) I love this story of how God moved in just a few in this city that rejected Him and those few were the messengers to all the residents of Asia. What a powerful text and how cool it was to stand where Paul stood.
Corinth
After cruising around the Aegean and visiting the Greek islands (tomorrow’s post), we journeyed west to the ancient city of Corinth. There aren’t a whole lot of ruins in the city of Corinth, at least in comparison to the other ancient cities, but my experience was still the same. An unexpected awe at the creativity and mastery of a culture I am so far from. Sadly this city was marked by significant immorality and the people suffered because of it. Paul’s message would bring healing to some that would hear and cause others to selfishly reject him. Eventually, he was accused by the Jews of Corinth and tried on the ‘Bema seat’ for acting in contradiction to Jewish law. We were able to see that seat where he was tried (a surreal experience) and comforted when scripturally we read that God protected him from false conviction.
Athens
To finish up our amazing tour, we ended with the great city of Athens. Athens is the capitol of Greece and though they have recently hit a severe economic crisis, it is still a beautiful and thriving city. Historically and even today, it is a city that celebrates the value of philosophy and knowledge. Men like Plato, Aristotle and Socrates are its patriarchs and the city reflects such a heritage. The highlight was probably seeing the world famous Parthenon but more specifically standing on Mars Hill before it. As Paul came in to Athens, he noted that the people of the city prided themselves on knowledge and the ‘hearing of all things new’ but they were worshipping all kinds of idols. He stood up on the Areopogus, known as Mars Hill, with the Parthenon at his back and preached to the Athenians saying, ‘The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man,nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us ‘For In him we live and move and have our being’…Being then God’s offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man. (Acts 17: 24-29) I love the boldness of Paul to challenge the men of Athens in their worshipping of man-made gods at the base of the temples they had built. He believed his message and was desperate for others to hear it. I will never forget our leader, Keith, reading the words of Paul while standing on Mars Hill, the Parthenon behind us and the city of Athens before us. It was a surreal moment and one I won’t quickly forget.
These ancient cities taught me the beauty of creativity and the challenge to be a master at my craft. Thousands of years ago, they were creating things with far less than we have and yet they are in many ways far more impressive. These cities also taught me the beauty of the gospel message and how it translates across all generations and all cultures.
So, enjoy some images from these three cities! Tune in tomorrow to city my final Greek week post of the Greek isles!
Happy Thursday!
The road into Ephesus that Paul would have come in on.
Did you know the Romans had a sewage system and toilets? I don’t feel nearly as advanced as I once did.
This library was incredible!!! Such an architectural masterpiece!
The marketplace where Paul preached in Acts 19
After viewing the ancient city, we went and toured a Turkish rug making school! It was incredible!
Of course there was a Starbucks there…
The ancient city of Corinth
The Bema seat where Paul was tried in Acts 17
Look at this canal!!! Crazy narrow!
The city of Athens!
Keith teaching on Mars Hill where Paul preached and the Parthenon in the background.
Acts 17
Mars Hill from the Parthenon
Where the Olypics were held!
And in closing, this is the Parthenon at night from the view of our hotel!
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