Persuasion Through Rhetoric…Again!
Acts 17:29–31 (NASB95)
29“Being then the children of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and thought of man. 30“Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent, 31because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead.”
In these verses, we see Paul’s continued use of his rhetorical skill. Again, rhetoric is the art of speaking and persuasion.
Paul combines reasoning (logos), personal credibility (ethos), and an appeal to the listeners' emotions (pathos). He begins by establishing common ground with his audience, reminding them that they are God’s workmanship. This thoughtful opening invites the listeners to consider that if humanity is fashioned by God, then the crafted images and idols common in their culture cannot possibly reflect the true nature of the divine. With this foundation in place, Paul transitions to the more challenging concepts of divine judgment and the call to repentance, carefully saving these potentially controversial ideas for later in his address. His strategic approach, drawn from both Jewish tradition and Greek philosophical thought, serves to gently steer his audience toward recognizing that the living God far surpasses the limitations of human representations. By framing his arguments through familiar cultural lenses and then revealing deeper truths from God’s Word, Paul’s rhetoric becomes a powerful tool that not only challenges prevailing idolatry but also invites a heartfelt response.
Paul’s example offers timeless guidance. Rhetoric, in its true sense, is not about manipulation but about clear, respectful, and thoughtful communication that draws people nearer to the truth of Jesus. Just as Paul began by connecting with his audience on shared values before introducing challenging truths, modern believers are encouraged to engage others with both compassion and intellectual integrity. By diligently studying Scripture and being attuned to the cultural contexts in which we live, we can develop persuasive communications that bridge divides and counter disinformation. Let us commit to cultivating noble minds—armed with the insights of God’s Word and the art of respectful dialogue—so that our witness remains