“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.”

Acts 17:24

Over the weekend Patrina and I listened to a Navajo guide as we explored the slot canyons in northern Arizona. Much of what she said was spiritual, but she ignored the Creator. The people in our group were interested in hearing her views because of her connection but I wonder how interested they would have been if she described herself as a devout Christian.

It reminded me of Paul’s interaction with the men of Athens –

Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols. So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there.

Acts 17:16-17

There is a God. We should be good to others. There is nothing wrong with being happy. We should appreciate God’s creation in all its grand detail. The problems that the young lady’s views make every effort to be spiritual without acknowledging the God who created all.

I’ve referred to this quote many times, but A.W. Tozer observed that “what comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” Tozer understood the importance of how we view God and while “spirituality” presents a particular view of God that is shared by many in the 21st Century and it is generally meaningless and lacks substance.

Paul continued-

So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: To the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you.

Acts 17: 22-23

The religious spiritual people still need to know about Christ.