Areopagus was the aristocratic council in ancient Athens, the capital of Greece. It was located on a low hill (Mars Hill or Ares Hill). Mostly, Epicurean and Stoic philosophers, and members for life dominated the discourse when Paul was in Athens. In this city, Paul preached in the synagogue and marketplace. Then he got an invitation, not as a philosopher, but as a babbler who was saying interesting and exciting things. Paul preached there and a few members of the Areopagus became disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ. (Acts 17:18-34) What is the Areopagus today?
Influencers: The leaders of the Grecian society were philosophers, and intellectuals who were the rulers also. They shaped the thoughts, moral values, and religion, and enacted laws.
Thought leaders: The University was a place where students developed knowledge, ideas, and the skill of critical thinking. The thoughts are taken up as ideas and projects for experimentation and implementation. The renowned universities had philosophers and professors who created thought leaders to serve society. Thought leaders were respected, regarded, and sometimes rewarded. They communicated knowledge, new theories, discoveries, and inventions by teaching, training, and writing. They used the mass media like magazines, newspapers, journals, and books to disseminate their ideas.
Social Media: The Information era, aided by digital technology created social media. Among youngsters, social media has replaced mass media effectively.
New Influencers: Professors, philosophers, and teachers have been replaced by social media influencers and even AI (Artificial Intelligence). There is more preference for visual forms of content, rather than text content and books. Self-appointed Social Media Influencers have a huge following, some are even blind followers.
WhatsApp University? Many social media users are called WhatsApp University graduates. They source all their information using the Internet. Without discernment, they trust all information that is available through WiFi or other data services. Sadly, they become victims of False narratives, Fake news, and misleading teachers and counselors, even Fraudsters.
Truth Proclaimers: There is a dearth of truth proclaimers in today’s Areopagus. Need Paul like bold proclaimers of the gospel in social media.
Am I a proclaimer of Truth in Areopagus?