Turning the World Upside Down

During the sermon in church this past Sunday the preacher (a visiting pastor) made reference to Acts 17:6 where Paul and Silas are accused of “turning the world upside down” in Thessalonica. As I’ve grown as a Christian I’ve heard this passage referred to many times. Back in my charismatic days I’d have understood this verse as an admonition to myself and other Christians to go out into the city streets and heal the sick. While I wouldn’t be opposed to any such event happening I can say that I no longer use that interpretive key.

That said, when this passage of scripture was referenced on Sunday it made me think of something. Not only should this passage teach us how the gospel turns the world upside down today, it should also remind us that we are the result of the world having been turned upside down already. The fact that I, a descendant of the Danes who used to worship Thor, go to church to worship the one true and living God is proof that Paul and the other Apostles really did turn the world upside down 2000 years ago!

Food for thought.

Michael