Paul's speech before the Areopagus in Athens has long been fodder for theological debates. Some philosophers grasp at these texts as proof that Paul saw and used similarities between Christian theology and the belief systems of other cultures gently to lead listeners toward some commonly held truths. Other scholars examine these texts and find a strictly missionary-oriented speech one that cleverly uses the language of ideas familiar to a pagan audience in order utterly to reject their understanding of the relationship between God and humanity. Before landing on one side of this fence or the other, it seems wise to review where Luke puts Paul's speech before the Areopagus in the context of his missionary journeys.

By Acts 17:22, Paul has covered considerable territory, as well as caused a …