Five to ten seconds. After
that, the filter kicks in.
modern mind.
This idea of
In our day and age, five
contextualization, or
to ten seconds is usually
shaping the presentation
all the time we’re given to of the gospel to fit the
persuade someone that
current sociological
what we have to say is
context, is nothing new.
worthy of their time. We live Communicating the good
in a world suffering from a
news of God’s rescue
relentless bombardment
plan for humanity using
of information. Television,
the culture and customs
social media, advertising,
of the day has been a
friends, and family all vie
powerful tool for thousands
for time and an attentive
of years. In Acts 17:22-
ear. Is it relevant to me?
23, we find Paul in the
Without realizing it, we
height of Athenian society,
ask ourselves this question
surrounded by curious
countless times throughout onlookers.
the day. Do I want what
So Paul, standing in the
this advertiser is selling? Will
midst of the Areopagus,
this be on the test? Is this
said: “Men of Athens, I
conversation significant
perceive that in every
to my situation? Will this
way you are very
news affect my life at all?
religious. For as I passed
If we don’t adapt and
along and observed the
learn to filter out what
objects of your worship,
does not apply to us,
I found also an altar with
we will quickly become
this inscription: ‘To the
overwhelmed. As our ways
unknown god’. What
of communication and
therefore you worship as
comprehension evolve, our
unknown, this I proclaim
presentation of the gospel
to you.”
needs to be adapted
Paul basically says: Hey
as well. If we want to
guys, do you see this statue
effectively communicate
of yours to the unknown
truth, we must learn to do
it in a way that can bypass god? Well I know Him.
Let me tell you all about
the spam filters of the
Solutions 39