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Manuscript Type
Article
Abstract (For book reviews see instructions below)
This paper considers Paul’s speech to the Areopagus from the framework of Jewish apocalyptic historiography in order to determine the degree of overlap between Paul’s conceptual background on history and time and Stoic philosophy. The main facets of Jewish apocalyptic historiography include unique conceptions of God, time, and human existence with unique existential implications, all of which are found in Acts 17:22–31. The added element of the Christ event (vv. 30–31) heightens the urgency of Paul’s message of repentance. Despite some proximity between Paul and Stoicism, the Jewish apocalyptic worldview of Acts 17 differs significantly from the pantheistic and deterministic cyclical view of time intrinsic to Stoic philosophy. With these differences in mind, this paper concludes that Paul’s urgent call to repentance is only intelligible from a Judeo-Christian understanding of God and history.
Recommended Citation
Paroschi, Keldie.
"On God’s Side of History: Time and Apocalyptic History in Paul’s Speech to the Areopagus."
Andrews University Seminary Studies (AUSS)
59.2
(2022):
227-250.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/auss/vol59/iss2/3
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