When I tell people the name of our church, People often look at me with a blank stare. That stare says: “Why in the world would you choose Mars Hill for the name of your church?” Scripture says:
A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold. Proverbs 22:1 (NIV)
Out of all the Names Available, Why did we Choose “Mars Hill?”
Before we begin to understand where Mars Hill is going, we must first know where we originated. The Areopagus or Areios Pagos is the “Hill of Ares” or Mars Hill. It is located northwest of the Acropolis in Athens. The Areopagus (Mars Hill in Latin), like most city-state institutions, continued to function in Roman times, and it was there, the Apostle Paul delivered his famous speech about the identity of “the Unknown God.”
As a traveling apostle, Paul’s custom was to preach the gospel, first to the Jews, then to the Gentiles (Acts 17:1-4). Paul was smart enough to know the importance of relating the gospel to different people and when working with the Gentiles, he employed different methods and language to convey the same gospel. A good example of this, was in his approach on Mars Hill (Acts 17:16-34).
Athens had been the home to Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, and Alexander the Great; it possessed a proud heritage as one of the greatest cultural centers in the history of the world. As Paul first entered Athens, he was burdened by the great need of a people who had unparalleled philosophy, literature, art, and education; but lacked Jesus. As he made the five-mile walk into town, he was troubled by the numerous idols that littered the land. Upon seeing this, he longed for the transformation of Athens.
After proclaiming the gospel to the Jews, in the synagogue, he continued his proclamation in the Agora marketplace; where vendors, farmers, healers, magicians, performers, and philosophers collected in the open courtyard, which served as the gathering place for the city. It was also the easiest place to draw a crowd.
Since the Athenians had never heard about the Jesus, whom Paul was preaching about, they brought him before the Areopagus (“Mars Hill” in Latin), which was the Athenian court of perhaps thirty philosophers, who sat as judges of Athens. The judges were entrusted with guarding Athenian philosophy by evaluating any new ideas brought into the city. Paul stood before the court in the same place where Socrates had defended his own teachings some 450 years earlier.
They asked Paul to explain his teachings, and a crowd gathered to hear the exchange. The scene, equivalent to how someone might be questioned on today’s “Oprah” television show. Courageously, Paul stood alone to proclaim the gospel, beginning by respectfully establishing common ground with his listeners, in an effort to work from their culture to the Scriptures. This method was the reverse of his approach, taken in the synagogue, where he worked from the Scriptures to the culture. He noted that the Athenians were a spiritual people, as was he. But, he also noted that their spirituality did not include an understanding of who God is.
Research today, shows how the emerging generation is very spiritual; believing in God, and committed to a life of prayer. However, when you ask them “what they think about God,” their answers are very Athenian. They study and believe in God and speak of Him, but have no idea who He is.
Today, we live in our own Mars Hill, as do all of God’s people. Surrounding us are multitudes of lost people, who hold false notions of spirituality, God, and salvation. Many of them, unfortunately, believe they are Christians.
We do this by leveraging the innovation and technology given to us by our Creator for the Glory of God. I’m proud of our name! What you call yourself and what you allow others to call you over and over will have a measurable impact on your life.
