Mowa na Areopagu w ujęciu św. Łukasza i Jana Pawła II. Analiza Dz 17,16-34 oraz Wirkungsgeschichte

Abstract

Analysis of the pericope (Acts 17, 16-34) leads to a conclusion that the report of the Apostle's stay in Athens is the work of Luke. The auditorium presented by him on the Areopagus is to be representative for the educated circles of pagan environment, while Paul's address becomes a paradigm of evangelization in such an environment. The Apostle in his speech expresses relevant biblical truths using notions universally understood and well-known in the philosophy of the day, however, he does not betray the revealed truth. His reference to his listeners' outlook constitutes a starting point for the later corrections, especially with reference to the nature of God and the relation of the Creator to creation and eschatology. The entire speech of Paul is not yet another invitation for discussion but the preaching of faith in the biblical sense, which should result in a conversion. The Apostle was presented as a professionally prepared and uncomprimizing preacher of the revealed truth, while his listeners represent possible approach to keryssein Research of the influence of the text under analysis (Wirkungsgeschichte) on the person of John Paul II and his teaching leads to a conclusion that the pericope (Acts 17,16-34) had a considerable influence on the directions which he formulated for the modern evangelization and the engagement of Christians in the world. In his reading of the pericope Acts 17, 16-34 the pope draws our attention to a necessity of respecting every culture and person who lives in it, whether he becomes an addressee of the Gospel, a partner in a dialogue, a potential ally in building a more humane and just community or not. Paul's inculturation of the biblical message constitutes for John Paul II an incentive to enter various contemporary areopaguses with the rules of the Gospel always in a way understandable for contemporary man and faithful to the truth of the Revelation. The pope draws special attention to the presence of the believers in mass media, which he names the most important contemporary areopagus. John Paul II extended the meaning of the term “Areopagus” The pope relates it not only to keryssein preaching of faith but to any educational and pedagogical activity, creation of culture, participation in the media and to undertaking joint responsibility in the social and political sphere.