A hymn inspired by Paul’s meeting at the altar to an unknown God within the Areopagus
1 Within the Areopagus
debate was heated, talk was fast,
Paul joined this lively interchange:
debate goes on, the questions last.
2 It was not easy to believe:
the 'god' they worshipped was unknown.
They harboured an uncertainty,
another 'god' might still be shown?
3 What was the nature of this 'god'?
They argued, logic made them strain
beyond the confines of the known,
beyond the scope of mind or brain.
4 The ground of being, source of hope,
this nameless creativity,
might be the 'god' for whom they sought,
now focused in humanity.
5 It is not easy to believe,
but this we trust through faith and grace,
the unknown God for which they sought
is seen in Jesus life and face.
Andrew Pratt (born 1948)
© 2011 Stainer and Bell Ltd.
Metre: 8 8 8 8
Tune: Melcombe
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