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This passage tells us that Paul was distressed by the idolatry in the city. His first response was to go to the Jews and God-fearing Greeks in the synagogues, to reason with them about Jesus and the Scriptures.
We, too, are distressed by abortion and what it does to all parties involved, from the unborn child to the parents and grandparents, to the abortionist, to the custodian who has to clean up the mess. Where do we go?
First, to the church. We as a body can be more faithful in our response if we are unified and if we have first cleaned our own house. There is division in the church on abortion, but the majority of Mennonites are pro-life, and there have been individuals who have worked for life for years now. More of us could join them.
There are also families who have experienced the pain of abortion first-hand. We could reach out to them with forgiveness and help.
There are Mennonite young people who don't know that abortion is wrong and will not only end the baby's life but hurt the mother and father as well. We could teach them.
Paul then went to the marketplace, where the people "spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas". We Mennonites believe so strongly in discipleship and servanthood that we sometimes ignore the philosophical arena. We think that it's nothing but a bunch of talk and that what really changes people's minds is to see love in action. We've only got it partly right. A service response to abortion is essential, but we can fight this battle on other fronts as well.
Paul didn't hesitate to use all of his knowledge and education to win these people over. He found a point of common ground (the religious nature of the Athenians and their statue to the Unknown God) and used that as a starting place for explaining the plan of creation and salvation. He even quoted their own poets to them.
We can look and pray for such openings in the culture around us. Many people are pro-choice because they believe that abortion should be an option for women in unplanned pregnancies and that it's better for children not to be born into some situations. They are often ignorant about fetal development, the risks of legal abortions and the psychological after-effects that women who abort can experience.
Like Paul, we need to approach these people with love, respect and the assumption that we can reason with them. Points of common ground could be concern for the true, long-term well-being of the woman and child; the issue of human rights; and the question of male responsibility. To argue these points takes preparation and patience, but it is not impossible.
Paul also knew that he was fighting a spiritual battle in the Areopagus, and he knew when to shift gears and deliver the gospel to the inquisitive Athenians. Pro-life Christians know that the root issues are spiritual. The drive to control our own lives is deeply embedded in our nature and in our culture. Paul knew, and we know, that God is sovereign and no detail of our life escapes Him. He uses every circumstance to draw us to Himself, so that we will "seek Him and perhaps reach out for Him, though He is not far from each one of us".
Women in crisis pregnancies are sometimes open to the news that Jesus loves them and can work through even their desperate circumstances to achieve His purposes and redeem lives. It's a little harder to go to the public square and convince the powers-that-be that Jesus is Lord and human life is sacred. It's a good thing that it's the Holy Spirit who does the convicting and convincing! We're just supposed to be available and prepared, in case someone does invite us to a meeting of the Areopagus.
We won't win everyone. Paul didn't. Some scorned him, and others walked away. But a few wanted to hear more "on this subject". And some became followers and believed.
Vicki Markley-Sairs is editor of Meribah, a newsletter published by Meribah, an inter-Mennonite pro-life organization. She can be contacted at 1258 Charmaine Circle, Mobile, AL 36605, USA, phone (334) 476-5031.
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