I do think that Paul is saying that the Athenians and the Greeks in general were on the right track. I'm not implying in any way that they were close to the finish line!
But the same God that Paul is talking about? I think so, based on what he goes on to say
Acts 17: 28 'For in him we live, and move, and have our being.' As some of your own poets have said, 'For we are also his offspring.'
We are the offspring of the true God or the false god?
Acts 17: 29 Being then the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold, or silver, or stone, engraved by art and design of man.
So they were right about some things, God isn't far from anyone, and we are his children. But they were wrong about other things, like God wanting statues made of him.
But the same God that Paul is talking about? I think so, based on what he goes on to say
Acts 17: 28 'For in him we live, and move, and have our being.' As some of your own poets have said, 'For we are also his offspring.'
We are the offspring of the true God or the false god?
Acts 17: 29 Being then the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold, or silver, or stone, engraved by art and design of man.
So they were right about some things, God isn't far from anyone, and we are his children. But they were wrong about other things, like God wanting statues made of him.
I see how you see this in Acts 17 24-38
24 “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. 25 And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. 26 From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. 27 God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us. 28 ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’[a] As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’
Here I see how you can get "on the right track" from this, but in Acts 17:29-31 he starts completely tearing down there whole idea of "gods" here,
29 “Therefore since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by human design and skill. 30 In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. 31 For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.”
Then they are drawn to the truth by hearing Paul proclaiming His word,and through this now they want to know more about this God they were, as Paul puts it, "ignorant of". Now this is a small thing and please know I'm not trying to split hairs or "battle a brother", in any way at all, but "I don't see where he told they, or suggested at all, they were "on the right track". He straight up tells them their gods are worthless. Again I am just trying to share how I see it, and will not keep coming at you with this. I've said my piece and why, and am absolutely wanting to hear yours. regardless of any of this, I nope you and yours are blessed and drawn ever closer to our King minute by minute. Praise Jesus mighty name!!!!!!!! Amen.
One last side note, with God there is no "kinda good", There's lost and the 1 way, so I really disagree there is a "kinda right path" at all anyway.
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