Confronting the Hellenism of Today

"Man," said the Greek philosopher Protagoras (481-411 BC), "is the measure of all things of what is and what is not." This philosophy provided the foundation for Hellenism, which was devoted to the supremacy of human beings and human accomplishment. The cultural tradition of the Greeks, Hellenism was the prevalent worldview before and during the growth of early Christianity.

Hellenism was based in the belief that human beings are the ultimate source of truth and authority in the universe. Since the human being was considered the "measure of all," human wisdom was deemed to be the greatest wisdom. What could not be understood or explained was viewed as false. Human accomplishments in athletics, the arts, and architecture became the motivating drive of society. The human body was considered the ultimate in beauty, so nudity, in art, in the baths, and in sport, was common. The accumulation of material possessions in order to provide oneself with luxury and comfort was a common pursuit. What could me more natural than to get the most out of life. After all, life's greatest goal was to be the best at any pursuit.

The Hellenists tried to build their society on their gods, which were human creations. In effect, they worshiped themselves. Because they had nothing greater than themselves on which to base their worldview and society, their society eventually collapsed. No society can exist for very long when it creates its own view of truth.

Was Hellenism, at its roots, really new? No. The first evidence of it is recorded when Satan asked Eve, "Did God really say"? (Gen. 3:1). Eve, and then Adam faced an earth-shaking choice: who, or what, was the ultimate source of truth in the universe? When Adam and Eve decided to disobey God's command not to eat from the tree (Gen. 2:16-17), they decided for themselves what was right and best for them and didn?t depend on God. They crowned themselves as the ultimate authority in the universe.

In contrast, the worldview of Christianity is based on God as the ultimate truth and authority. His revelation is the source of our vision for society, our knowledge, our morality, and even truth itself. The resulting values are absolute, not merely creations of our imaginations, and form a strong basis for society and the belief in the dignity of each person who is created in God's image. In such a worldview, God is the ultimate authority in the universe. Life is to be lived for him, not for us. God has created the ultimate beauty, not humankind. Truth is what God revealed and allowed his people to discover.

The core beliefs of Hellenism haven't disappeared with the advancements of today's culture. Today Hellenism is called Humanism, and it still promotes the idea that the human being is the ultimate authority in the universe. Thus truth is what the human mind can discover, demonstrate, and understand. The glorification of human accomplishment, the drive to be number one, the obsession with comfort and pleasure, the focus on the human body and sexuality, the lack of compassion for other people, and the commitment to the will of the majority as being right are built on a foundation that is as old as the Garden of Eden and was well articulated by ancient Greek philosophers.

Today we commonly hear phrases like: "Just do it." "If it feels good, go with it." "I can do whatever I want with my body." Within our public educational system, Hellenistic teaching is prevalent. Truth is defined as that which each person can logically understand and demonstrate (or at least that which the majority of people decides is right).

What does this mean to believers today? We live in the same type of world as the early Christian missionaries did. Our great task, then, is to declare that God alone is supreme and obey him. Our great temptation is that we may compromise and live as Hellenists or Humanists, and lose the opportunity to bring God's life-transforming love and truth to a spiritually needy world.

The Christian faith is built upon the reality of Christ's death and resurrection. Jesus' death removed the barrier of sin between humankind and God, and brought into being a new era of relationship.

Prophecies given hundreds of years before Jesus was even born were precisely fulfilled when Jesus died. Every one of the Old Testament prophecies concerning the events surrounding Jesus' crucifixion was carried out.

Some Examples
The Old Testament prophesied that Jesus' soldiers would pierce his hands and feet, cast lots for his clothing, and hurl insults at him. This prophecy was, indeed, fulfilled.

Mark 15:25-32 says, 'It was the third hour when they crucified him. The written notice of the charge against him read: 'the King of the Jews'' . Those who passed by hurled insults at him in the same way the chief priests and teachers of the law mocked him among themselves. Those crucified with him also heaped insults on him. (See also Ps. 22:16-18; John 19:23-24).

Another Old Testament prophecy predicted that none of Jesus' bones would be broken. This prophecy was carried out as well. John 19:33 says, 'But when they came to Jesus, and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. (See also Ps. 34:20; Zech. 12:10.)

Isaiah predicted that Jesus would be despised and rejected by men, and in addition would experience much sorrow and suffering. Jesus certainly did face sorrow and rejection. During his ministry Jesus was rejected by some of his followers (John 6:66), the Pharisees (John 7:47-53), Judas Iscariot (Matt. 26:14-16), Peter (Matt. 26:69-75), and even God the Father (Matt. 27:46).

Soldiers of the Cross?
In November, 1095, Pope Urban II called upon all true Christians to free the Holy Land from so-called Muslim infidels. His speech sparked a period of violent conflict between Christian Europeans and the Muslims of the Middle East.

Thousands of knights, serfs, peasants, and even a few kings sewed the sign of the cross on the front of their tunics and went to war for Jesus Christ. The Jews, without a country, were caught in the middle.

The First Crusade
This crusade began in Clermont, France, as knights, farmers, shopkeepers, and fortune seekers headed east through Germany and then southeast to the Holy Land.

Determined to avenge Jesus' crucifixion in blood, the leaders of the crusade massacred tens of thousands of innocent Jews, Muslims, and even Orthodox Christians who had the misfortune to dress or look like Muslims.

Finally the Crusaders reached Jerusalem, which they captured on July 15, 1099. A terrible massacre followed; streets were drenched with the blood of innocent civilians. The Jews and the Muslims who survived were sold into slavery, and Christianity earned a violent reputation that would last for millennia.

The Knights then built great, European-style castles on high hills, living in isolation and failing to influence any day-to-day lives of the common people. Jesus would not have recognized these soldiers who came to spread his kingdom because they knew so little of the methods he had taught and the way of sacrifice he had walked.

The Second Crusade
In 1144, an itinerant monk began urging soldiers to destroy the Jewish communities of Germany to avenge Jesus' crucifixion. As a result, many more innocent people were slaughtered in Jesus' name.

The Third Crusade
Spared the horrors of the first two Crusades, the Jewish communities in England were not as fortunate during the Third Crusade in 1170. Jews in York, Lynn, Norwich, Stamford, and other towns were massacred.

The Fourth Crusade
In 1198, Pope Innocent III began the Fourth Crusade. He ordered Jews to wear badges to identify themselves, and then ordered them to be killed to atone for Jesus' death.

The Shepherds' Crusade
The Crusades formally ended in 1291 when the Holy Land was recaptured by the Muslims. But a few years later, European Jews were subjected to yet another Crusade.

Nearly forty thousand, mostly teenaged, "Crusaders" killed and burned their way across Europe. Some sources indicate that 150 Jewish communities were exterminated by these "soldiers of the cross."

Decapolis means "10 cities." Though the number of cities changed from time to time, the Decapolis was a group of independent city-states that were thoroughly pagan and Hellenistic. Veterans of Alexander the Great's army founded several of these city-states in the fourth century BC. And when Pompey and his Roman legions took control of the area in 63 BC, they kept it separate from the Jewish territory to the west.

Several of the Decapolis city-states are mentioned in the Bible, including Gerasa (Mark 5:1; (Luke 8:26), Beth Shean (then called Scythopolis,1 Sam. 31:10), and Gadara (Matt. 8:28). These towns typically had Hellenistic designs, with theaters where lewd plays were performed, temples where sacrifices were offered to pagan gods, and coliseums where nude athletic games and gladiatorial contests took place. Each city controlled the areas surrounding it, spreading their Hellenistic philosophy and religion.

The farmers of Galilee could see the sophisticated Gentile world barely eight miles away, and the steep cliffs of the Eastern Shore must have seemed evil and menacing to them. But the Gentiles' culture was probably alluring to the faithful Jews as well. Some scholars believe the "far country" mentioned in Jesus' parable of the prodigal son referred to the Decapolis. It was barely a days walk from Galilee and the riotous lifestyle and pigs could certainly be found there.

Many people in New Testament times believed that the inhabitants of the Decapolis were those whom Joshua had driven from the Promised Land;the seven pagan nations (Josh. 3:10; Acts 13:19). They viewed the land as the place of the "expelled ones," the worshipers of Baal.

In this context, Jesus' ministry in the Decapolis is remarkable. His disciples probably hesitated when he suggested they row there ("the other side" Mark 4:35). Once they arrived, they were greeted by a man possessed by a legion of demons, and there was a Roman legion stationed nearby (Mark 5:1-20).

Uncharacteristically, Jesus did not ask the man to be quiet after he was healed. Instead sent him to share the good news with the people of his town (possibly Susita, which was close by). Apparently, the man's message was blessed before the next time Jesus visited, because there were new believers there by that time (Mark 7:31-37).

Believed to be the goddess of grain who provided food, Demeter was popular among common people because acquiring enough food was a dominant concern for them. The secretive cult worshiped in a temple (twenty-two by forty feet) and eight-hundred-seat theater complex on the south side of the acropolis of Pergamum. It was also known for its death-resurrection theme that focused on Demeter's daughter who was allowed to spend half the year in Hades and the other half on earth. Thus adherents believed that Demeter offered them the possibility of resurrection.

Although little is known about the rituals of this religion, there was an initiation ceremony involving the blood of a bull. The initiate would stand or lie at the bottom of a pit while a bull was slaughtered above on a grid. The blood would wash over the new convert, providing redemptive cleansing "a clever imitation of salvation through Jesus" shed blood on the cross.

By cutting through the layers of civilization and examining the artifacts, structures, and even human remains, archaeologists can reconstruct the lifestyle of a community. Pottery styles change over time, and since pottery is virtually imperishable, potsherds (broken pieces of pottery) can date settlements just as changes in car models would today.

By excavating representative areas (squares) and peeling off one stratum at a time, scientists can establish the cultural setting of the Bible, enhancing our understanding of its message.

Originally built in the third century before Christ, this small, beautiful temple was remodeled by the Romans. It was approached by a twenty-five-step stairway at the end of a 770-foot terrace. Here, people worshiped Dionysus, the fertility god of the vine who was also known as the god of ecstasy, particularly because of the wine he supposedly provided and the orgies related to his worship. During festivals that celebrated him, worshipers consumed wine in great abundance and gorged on raw meat from Dionysus? sacred animal? the bull? all in an effort to be mystically joined to him.

The cult center is believed to have been located on the south side of the acropolis, near wine shops and a bathhouse. This center is eighty feet long and thirty-two feet wide. A niche for the idol of Dionysus was positioned to the right of a marble altar. Murals depicting the Dionysus practices were found in frescoes on the low walls around the room. The wine shop next door had several large, baked-clay jars buried in the floor that probably contained wine used in various cultic practices or sold to the public.

Dionysus was considered to be the source of fertility for the grapevines, and one of his symbols was the phallus. He was also viewed as the source of life, so ceremonies dedicated to him included a variety of sexually immoral practices. The cult attracted the common people because it promised eternal life to worshipers and catered to human lusts aroused by the pagan cults. Drunkenness and sexual immorality was so extreme during celebrations in Dionysus? honor that his worship was banned for a time in Rome because it was too perverted! Again, Satan created a counterfeit to take credit for the things of God: eternal life, happiness, purpose, and fertility.

Israel and Edom: Nations in Conflict

Jacob and Esau, the grandsons of Abraham, were to be fathers of nations in conflict. Esau (the older) ultimately would serve Jacob, and Jacob's people would be stronger than Esau?s people. Esau's descendents were called the Edomites. Edom means "red" and the Edomites lived in the mountains to the east and south of the Dead Sea.

Balaam prophesied that a "star" would come out of Jacob and a scepter would rise out of Israel. (These were both symbols of royalty). This person would conquer Edom, and Israel would grow strong.

Both nations hated and sought to destroy each other. Because of Edom's attacks on Judah, God promised to take revenge on the Edomites.

Jesus' life reflected the prophecies about Israel and Edom. Herod the Great came from Edom. Although Herod appeared to be in control, he was powerless to stop God's plan for Jesus, the King of heaven and earth. The ruins of the Herodion illustrate Herod's ultimate defeat by Jesus, who reigns today in heaven and in the hearts of his followers.

Why Did God Choose Elijah?  It's easy to think that Elijah was morally or spiritually superior to us, but he wasn't. Elijah needed correction, encouragement, and the knowledge that other believers were standing against Baal as well.

God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things. Elijah was chosen to confront the followers of Baal simply because he had a relationship with God.

What Did He Do?  Elijah bravely confronted Israel's King Ahab about his wicked involvement with Baal worship. And he also performed many miracles: providing an endless supply of flour for a widow, raising a young boy from the dead, and confronting the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 17, 18).

But Elijah also faced moments of weakness. Fearing for his life, Elijah once ran to the Negev Desert. Just when he thought he could'nt bear any more, God provided him with sufficient food and water to last him another day (1 Kings 19: 3-8).

Elijah then confessed his despair, fear, and weakness to God. After sending a powerful wind, earthquake, and fire, God revealed himself to Elijah through a whisper. God told lonely Elijah the encouraging news that 7,000 Israelites had refused to bow their knees to Baal (1 Kings 19:11-18).

What Made Elijah Great?  Elijah wasn't exceptionally spiritual or superior he was completely human. But what made Elijah great was his complete commitment to the will of God. Elijah gave all his heart and energy so that the world would know the one true God.

The Demands of Emperor Worship

The demands of Emporer Worship

Every person in Ephesus and other cities that worshiped the emperor was expected to:- Participate in festivals honoring the emperor(s). This included offering incense on altars carried by priests to declare that Caesar was Lord, making sacrifices to the emperor, and eating sacrificed meat.

- Offer incense to Caesar before entering the city.

- To obey Caesar without question.

- To acknowledge the authority of the emperor when conducting business or shopping in the market. They were to stop at his altars to acknowledge his "lordship," and had to acknowledge the emperor as the provider of life before drawing water from public fountains, etc.

Barely one hundred feet from the desolate wilderness, the oasis of En Gedi supports lush green growth. Nearby, a spring of water runs from a rock, flowing down a cliff and creating the beautiful waterfall of En Gedi.

Surrounding En Gedi, the Judea Wilderness is a picture of dust and dryness. Caves are scattered amidst the rocks, and an occasional tree or bush struggles from the ground. About one mile away, the salty and still waters of the Dead Sea can be seen.

Looking at this panorama, one can hardly guess that a refreshing pool of water stands nearby. But in one of the wilderness' many wadis, the oasis of En Gedi provides a cool refuge from the wilderness. It has sustained jungle-like greenery for thousands of years.

David and his men traveled through this area as they hid from Saul. No doubt they enjoyed a moment of rest at En Gedi, taking long drinks from the pure water. For centuries, men and women have soothed their thirst, watered their animals, and enjoyed the peace of En Gedi during their wilderness travels.

For many biblical writers, the oasis of En Gedi provided a picture of the refreshment and encouragement found in God. Several psalmists expressed their need for God as a thirst for water amidst the wilderness of life.

This small stream literally runs out of the rock. Miles away, rainfall seeps in the cracks in the rock until eventually it emerges like this. Many Bible passages speak of water gushing from the rock (Deuteronomy 8:15; Exodus 17:6; Psalm 105:41).The miracle is not that the water comes from the rock. this is commonplace in the land. The miracle is that it came where and when God commanded.

The rock shown here is a picture of God because the Bible described the rock from which the water came as God himself.

The Israelites learned to know God as living water as it provides a beautiful metaphor of the Christian life: God is the Rock. I am thirsty. Living water comes from the Rock.

These massive fortifications date to the time of the divided kingdom of Israel. The gate complex was probably constructed by Jeroboam and strengthened by Ahab. The gate entrance is parallel to the city wall on the right. The city itself is buried in the tel (or mound) to the right, beyond the wall. The pavement in the foreground provided entry to the city and might have been the location of the town market. Just beyond the gate opening is the first chamber. Israelites would turn left and continue past the large tree, where additional chambers were located.

The port city of Ephesus, located on what is now the western coast of Turkey, was the crown jewel of Asia Minor. It had the population of nearly 250,000 people and was home to more than twenty pagan temples. Artistic beauty, cultural learning, erotic pagan worship, world trade, criminal activity, and sorcery flourished amidst great wealth. As residents of one of the most sophisticated cities of the Roman Empire, the Ephesians enjoyed such luxuries as running water, indoor toilets, fountains, gardens surrounded by magnificent columns, colonnaded streets paved with marble, gymnasiums and baths, a library, and a theater that could seat an estimated twenty-five thousand people.

At the heart of the city's life and economy was the worship of Artemis, the ancient fertility goddess. The temple dedicated to Artemis was 450 feet long, 220 feet wide, had more than 120 columns sixty feet high and was one of the seven wonders of the entire world.

Because Artemis was considered to be so powerful and protective of her temple, people from all over the world deposited money there, which in turn was loaned out at a high rate of interest. Thus the Ephesians became extremely wealthy and naturally were very protective of the goddess who had made them successful, powerful, and rich.

It took passionate commitment and courage for the early Christians to stand up for their beliefs in their culture, and in the face of serious persecution. But the Christians of Ephesus publicly spoke out for Jesus and lived for him in a loving way. They endured great hardships for Jesus and never became weary of living for him.

The Palaestra
In this large (six hundred by one hundred fifty feet) open area in front of the Marble Court, physical education was done on the sand floor. Smaller rooms around the outside were also used for physical training, conditioning (weights and calisthenics), skill development (discus, javelin, jumping), and cardiovascular training (running). Also in these rooms the students relaxed with massage and oil treatments after their exercise and classroom learning.

The Didaskelion
Located on the outside of the open area, this school for academics provided rooms in which students learned and recited lessons. There were three levels of education: elementary (boys and girls ages five through twelve who studied reading and writing); secondary (boys and girls ages twelve to sixteen who studied philosophy, math, science, and music); and advanced (boys sixteen through adulthood who studied philosophy, medicine, music and science).

The Marble Court
This three-story, colonnaded courtyard was dedicated to the cult of the Roman emperor, believed to be the guardian of the truth being taught and exemplified in his life. All learning was devoted to him. Many niches in the walls served as pediments for statues. In the main apse was a statue of the emperor, who was honored with sacrifices and ceremonies during the educational process.

The Bath Complex
In the western section was the largest pool, the heated caldarium. East of this was a large, central hall and the warm pool (tepidarium). A nearby oblong hall held the cold pool (frigidarium) where students completed their bathing. There were also fountains in niches in the walls.

The Synagogue
Holding more than one thousand people (estimated), this is the largest synagogue ever found in the ancient world. It was not part of the original gymnasium and was added later, just after the time of the New Testament. Here, impressive mosaic floors added to the beauty of the structure and testify to the community's wealth. More than eighty inscriptions have been found in the synagogue that indicated that some Jews had significant statues and wealth in Sardis and that others were Gentile coverts.

Both the settled shepherds living along the fringes of the wilderness and the nomadic wilderness shepherds pastured their sheep on barren hillsides unsuitable for farming.

Visitors to the Near East wonder how sheep found food on these hillsides. Yet, ancient shepherds knew that small tufts of grass, watered by occasional rains or moist breezes, grew along the edges of the rocks. These barren hillsides were the green pastures where shepherds of the Bible led their sheep (Ps. 23).

In the more settled areas along the wilderness and during grazing seasons in the wilderness, shepherds fed the sheep with prepared fodder. They often used mangers, usually in the form of a stone or a metal box, to hold the fodder. Such mangers have been found in caves, stables, or typical Palestinian homes (where sheep were kept in the lower level).

There are many opinions as to exactly what John referred to when he wrote these phrases in Revelation 2:13: "where Satan has his throne" and "where Satan lives." No one knows whether he had in mind a specific temple or pagan practice, or whether the sum of the evil activities in Pergamum made the city the home of Satan. In a sense, all of the following pagan centers could be identified as strongholds of Satan.

Gamla is often called the "Masada" of the north because of the siege and fall of the town to the Romans during the Jewish Revolts. The city was originally settled by a group of Jews returning from captivity around 150 BC.

The city is located near the Sea of Galilee's northwest shore, on the southern side of a steep mountain. Homes were built on top of one another the roof of one house becoming the front yard of the house above. A sheer cliff marked the uninhabited northern side of the mountain.

One of the oldest synagogues ever found was located at Gamla. The synagogue community was probably active in Jesus' day, and the Messiah may have stood there as he "went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues" (Matt. 4:23). An extensive industrial district has been partially uncovered at Gamla as well, including an oil press and a flour mill.

Gamla was a hotbed of political rebellion during Jesus? time. The city was the birthplace of the Zealot movement, a group of fiercely independent Jews who sought to overthrow Rome. When the Jewish Revolts began around AD 66, Rome sent her army to crush the Zealot movement. At Gamla, the arrival of the Roman army created mass panic. More than five thousand people lost their lives as they jumped or fell off Gamla?s northern cliff.

The Zealots were part of a movement completely devoted to serving God. They believed it was impossible to serve the pagan Romans while also being faithful to the law of God. They resisted Rome and anyone who sided with the Roman rulers, often with violence.

The Zealot movement was started by a man named Judah, who lived in Gamla and revolted over the issue of taxes (Acts 5:37). And Scripture indicates that one of Jesus' disciples was a Zealot (Matt. 10:4).

Although there is no specific record that Jesus ever visited this area, Matthew's gospel records that he went "through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues" (Matt. 9:35). Thus, at some point in his ministry Jesus probably did visit the synagogue at Gamla, the remains of which still attract visitors today.

City of Pagans

Caesarea Philippi, which stood in a lush area near the foot of Mount Hermon, was a city dominated by immoral activities and pagan worship.

Caesarea Philippi stood only twenty-five miles from the religious communities of Galilee. But the city's religious practices were vastly different from those of the nearby Jewish towns.

In Old Testament times, the northeastern area of Israel became a center for Baal worship. In the nearby city of Dan, Israelite king Jeroboam built the high place that angered God and eventually led the Israelites to worship false gods. Eventually, worship of the baals was replaced with worship of Greek fertility gods.

Caesarea Philippi, which stood in a lush area near the foot of Mount Hermon, became the religious center for worship of the Greek god, Pan. The Greeks named the city Panias in his honor.

Years later, when Romans conquered the territory, Herod Philip rebuilt the city and named it after himself. But Caesarea Philippi continued to focus on worship of Greek gods. In the cliff that stood above the city, local people built shrines and temples to Pan.

Interestingly, Jesus chose to deliver a sort of "graduation speech" to his disciples at Caesarea Philippi. In that pagan setting, he encouraged his disciples to build a church that would overcome the worst evils.

The Gates of Hell

To the pagan mind, the cave at Caesarea Philippi created a gate to the underworld, where fertility gods lived during the winter. They committed detestable acts to worship these false gods.

Caesarea Philippi's location was especially unique because it stood at the base of a cliff where spring water flowed. At one time, the water ran directly from the mouth of a cave set in the bottom of the cliff.

The pagans of Jesus' day commonly believed that their fertility gods lived in the underworld during the winter and returned to earth each spring. They saw water as a symbol of the underworld and thought that their gods traveled to and from that world through caves.

To the pagan mind, then, the cave and spring water at Caesarea Philippi created a gate to the underworld. They believed that their city was literally at the gates of the underworld%u2014the gates of hell. In order to entice the return of their god, Pan, each year, the people of Caesarea Philippi engaged in horrible deeds, including prostitution and sexual interaction between humans and goats.

When Jesus brought his disciples to the area, they must have been shocked. Caesarea Philippi was like a red-light district in their world and devout Jews would have avoided any contact with the despicable acts committed there.

It was a city of people eagerly knocking on the doors of hell.

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Jesus' Challenge

Jesus presented a clear challenge with his words at Caesarea Philippi: He didn't want his followers hiding from evil: He wanted them to storm the gates of hell.

Standing near the pagan temples of Caesarea Philippi, Jesus asked his disciples "Who do you say that I am?" Peter boldly replied, "You are the Son of the living God." The disciples were probably stirred by the contrast between Jesus, the true and living God, and the false hopes of the pagans who trusted in "dead" gods.

Jesus continued, "You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it" (see Matt. 16:13-20).

Though Christian traditions debate the theological meaning of those words, it seems clear that Jesus? words also had symbolic meaning. His church would be built on the "rock" of Caesarea Philippi%u2014a rock literally filled with niches for pagan idols, where ungodly values dominated.

Gates were defensive structures in the ancient world. By saying that the gates of hell would not overcome, Jesus suggested that those gates were going to be attacked.

Standing as they were at a literal "Gate of Hades," the disciples may have been overwhelmed by Jesus' challenge. They had studied under their rabbi for several years, and now he was commissioning them to a huge task: to attack evil, and to build the church on the very places that were most filled with moral corruption.

Jesus presented a clear challenge with his words at Caesarea Philippi: He didn't want his followers hiding from evil: He wanted them to storm the gates of hell.

Not Ashamed

Jesus' followers cannot successfully confront evil when we are embarrassed about our faith.

After Jesus spoke to his disciples about storming the gates of hell, he also gave them another word of caution: "If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory" (Luke 9:26).

Jesus knew that his followers would face ridicule and anger as they tried to confront evil. And his words came as a sharp challenge: no matter how fierce the resistance, his followers should never hide their faith in God.

Jesus taught with passion, even when bystanders may have thought him a fool. And at Caesarea Philippi, he challenged everyone within hearing: "What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very soul?" (v. 25).

In a city filled with false idols, Jesus asked his followers to commit to the one true God. While false gods promised prosperity and happiness, they would ultimately fail to deliver. Jesus didn't promise an easy life, but he delivered on the promise of salvation;the only kind of prosperity that really matters.

Today, Christians must heed the words of our Rabbi, especially when we are tempted to hide our faith because of embarrassment or fear. Our world is filled with those who have "gained the world" but lost their souls. If we hide our faith, they may never find the salvation they need.

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On the offense

As we listen to Jesus' challenge today, we as Christians should ask ourselves the important question: When it comes to the battle against evil, are we on defense or offense?

In a culture that embraces diversity, it is offensive to suggest that there are certain truths that apply to everyone. Pointing out sin isn't popular and many Christians are labeled as "intolerant" for refusing to accept certain behaviors and ideas.

Unfortunately, many people have embraced a distorted Christianity that tries to be "politically correct." They don't want to offend anyone, so they accept sin rather than confronting it. Ultimately, their words of "love" ring empty because they accept sins that ruin people's lives.

Other Christians just try to avoid sinful culture altogether. They have been taught to go on the defense%u2014to hide in their churches, schools, and homes and to shut the door on the evil influences of culture.

But Jesus challenged his followers to be on the offense%u2014to proclaim the truth without shame.

Our schools and churches should become staging areas rather than fortresses; places that equip God's people to confront a sinful world instead of hiding from it. Jesus knows that the pagan world will resist, but he challenges us to go there anyway, and to build his church in those very places that are most morally decayed.

As we listen to Jesus' challenge today, we as Christians should ask ourselves the important question: Are we on defense or offense?

Hades, originally the Greek god of the underworld, is the namesake for the place where departed spirits live. It was frequently used in the Bible as a synonym for hell or the grave (Psalm 9:17; 55:15; 116:3).

As Jesus used it in Matthew 16:18, Hades seems to refer to the powers of evil that resisted Jesus, including Satan's ultimate weapon of physical death. Jesus told his disciples that they would have to confront the "gates of Hades" (Matthew 16:13-20) which probably referred to the powers of hell and Satan arrayed against God.

Jesus' words also carried symbolic meaning because they were spoken in Caesarea Philippi, a pagan city that was filled with moral corruption. Pagans believed that water symbolized the abyss and that caves were a door to the underworld. Because Caesarea Philippi stood near a cave with spring water flowing from it, the pagans naturally thought of the cave as a gate to the underworld.

As he challenged his disciples to confront the "gates of Hades," Jesus stood near this cave, the physical picture of the gates of hell. Caesarea Philippi represented the worst evils of culture; it was filled with idols, shrines, and immoral worship practices.

Yet Jesus assured his disciples that the "gates of Hades" would not be able to stand against the power of God's people. Jesus defeated Satan through his suffering, death, and resurrection. Therefore his people could overcome Satan and transform evil places like Caesarea Philippi.

Today, God's people must continue to confront the "gates of hell" in our culture, those places that are dominated by evil. Relying on God's power, we can face these fearful circumstances and overcome the forces of Satan that we encounter every day.

A Picture of Hell

Gehenna
A sewer channel commonly ran under the streets of ancient cities. It traveled through the city gate and emptied into a nearby valley. Though the channels were probably used to drain rainwater from the towns, people also used them to dump human waste, garbage, and debris.

Such sewer channels were built in Jerusalem, where they were called the Hinnom Valley. Remains of channels have also been found at Beth Shan, Gezer, Beth Shemesh, and Lachish.

Trash and carcasses of unclean animals were continually burning in these valleys. A leper colony was sometimes nearby, since they had to be separated from the town's inhabitants. Although these practices were unsanitary and unattractive, they suited the ancient culture's needs and continued on into New Testament times.

By Jesus' time, the Hinnom Valley (Ge-Hinnom in Hebrew) was know by its Greek translation, Gehenna (see Matt. 5:22, 29; 10:28; 8:9; 23:33; Mark 9:43, 48; James 3:6). Like other religious ideas that were portrayed in concrete images, Gehenna became the Hebrew picture of hell. It formed an appropriate image for the eternal burning and decay of hell, where worms were said to never die (Mark 9:48).

As ancient Israelites emptied their garbage and sewer into the Hinnom Valley each day, they were given a vivid image of hell and an important reminder of the price for disobeying God's commands.