Read Along: Chapter Seven—Paul's Gospel for the Educated

Today we begin Chapter Seven of the Read Along with Apologetics 315 project. This is a chapter-by-chapter study through the book The Gospel in the Marketplace of Ideas: Paul's Mars Hill Experience for Our Pluralistic World by Paul Copan and Kenneth D. Litwak. (Hear the introductory interview about the book here.) Below you will find an audio intro for Chapter Seven, a brief summary of the chapter, a PDF workbook with questions for the chapter, and some notable quotes. You're also encouraged to share your comments and feedback for each chapter in the comment section below. Feel free to interact on the Christian Apologetics Alliance Facebook page here.

[Audio Intro] - Paul Copan introduces this chapter.
[Chapter 7 Study Questions] (with kindle locations) - PDF study guide.
[Podcast Feed RSS | Podcast in iTunes] - Click to subscribe to the audio.

Summary
Chapter Seven: Paul's Gospel for the Educated
[pages 93-114]
Chapter 7 looks at Paul's theology, which is what brought him into disagreement with the Athenians. The authors consider the foundational beliefs that Paul held, for it is out of these that Paul's evangelistic encounters and speeches arose. This chapter unpacks how Paul's various core beliefs influence the way he engages with the differing beliefs of his audience.

Notable quotes:

If we want to follow Paul’s approach when we use the word God, we need to unpack what that means so that people hearing us are not thinking of some other god. (Kindle 1640)

We don’t argue people into the kingdom. Whether a person moves from relativism to believing in truth or from agnosticism to belief in God, these are manifestations of the grace of God at work in human hearts. (Kindle 1815)

God isn’t interested in detached intellectual reflection about his existence; he desires intentional, earnest seekers. (Kindle 1836) 

Discuss

1. What would Paul have us proclaim about the resurrection?
2. What do think most non-Christians you know believe about God?
3. In what ways do you see natural theology playing a role in your evangelistic conversations?

Next Week: Chapter 8—The Art of Persuasion