Elliott's Muses

  Why the Apostle Paul used poetry on Mars Hill (Acts 17) I’ve begun reading an interesting book on Paul’s missionary journey into Athens and his encounter with the intellectual elites (aka…Athenian Philosophers) on Mars Hill – which is often referred to as the Areopagus.  Do you remember the story? Acts 17:16-31  Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols.  So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there.  Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also conversed with him. And some said, “What does this babbler wish to say?” Others said, “He seems to be a preacher of foreign divinities”—because he was preaching Jesus and the resurrection.  And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting?  For you b...

  My Journey to become a Catholic In the summer of 2023, I came into the communion of the Catholic church.  After 73 years of Protestantism, almost 50 of which was as a Pastor or Professor, one might be asking “Why did you decide to enter into the Catholic church?  The answer to that is not simple and it involves a lifetime of experiences, questions, and thinking – oh yes, and the work of the Holy Spirit in my journey of faith. In one sense, nothing except my church involvement is changed.  I’m a Christian first and foremost of all. I’ve been a Christian all of my life.  I began my journey in the home of my parents who were Lutheran.  I was baptized and later confirmed in the church. In my teen years, I fell away, as a Prodigal, I distanced myself from all things concerning faith.  Eventually, it all began to change after I met my future wife, Linda.  The Spirit of God used her to lead me back to God’s love and I gave my life to Christ all ove...