The Call to Repent: The Most Dangerous Idea — Acts 17:30–34
Nov 13, 2026 4
What’s the most dangerous idea in the world? Peter Hitchens once said it’s the resurrection of Jesus. And that’s exactly where Paul’s message in Athens lands: with the risen Jesus and the call to repent.
Acts 17:30–31
[30] The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, [31] because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.” (ESV)
God Is the Judge
Paul has shown the people of Athens that God is the Creator, the Sustainer, the Ruler, and our Father. Now he tells them God is also the Judge.
The reality is that the people of Athens, the people in our cities and towns, and people throughout history will all be held accountable before this God. All of us have sinned and fallen short of his glory. And God has fixed the day. He has appointed the man who will judge, and he has given proof by raising him from the dead.
Luke gives us only a short summary of what Paul said. As John Stott points out, it takes less than two minutes to read. Stott argues Paul must have preached the cross too, because how could he proclaim the resurrection without the death that came before it? The one who will judge the world is the one who died for sinners and rose again. He offers the salvation he has won to anyone who turns to him. For all who trust him, the day he returns will be a glorious day.
The Call to Repent
So God commands all people everywhere to repent. That’s a call to turn back. It means changing your mind, your attitude, and your actions. Turn away from sin and idolatry. Turn away from living as if there’s no true and living God. Turn to the one who rose from the dead. He gives new life and new breath to all who trust in him.
At the Festival of Dangerous Ideas in Sydney, Peter Hitchens, whose brother was a famous atheist, was asked about the most dangerous idea. His answer startled the panel. He said the belief that Jesus Christ was the Son of God and rose from the dead remains the most dangerous idea in human history and philosophy, “the most dangerous idea you will ever encounter.” The host didn’t seem to understand, so he asked why it was dangerous. Hitchens explained that it changes all human behaviour and all our responsibilities. It turns the universe from meaningless chaos into a designed place where there is justice and hope, and so we all have a duty to discover that justice and work towards that hope. It changes all of us, he said, and if we reject it, that changes us too. That’s why so many people turn against it.
I love that! The resurrection changes things. If it’s true, it calls for a response. That’s why some people fall on their knees and worship Jesus, while others rage against him.
[Watch this week’s video devotion with Dave Miers]
God Keeps Saving People
So how do the people of Athens respond?
Acts 17:32–34
[32] Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked. But others said, “We will hear you again about this.” [33] So Paul went out from their midst. [34] But some men joined him and believed, among whom also were Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them. (ESV)
Some people say Paul’s visit to Athens was a failure. But both John Stott and David Peterson point out that it wasn’t. Dionysius was a member of the Areopagus council; Damaris is named alongside him, and others were there too. God was saving people in Athens.
He does it again in Corinth. There, the Lord tells Paul to keep speaking, “for I have many in this city who are my people” (Acts 18:9-10). That was a specific promise to Paul for that city. We don’t have that same promise for our city. But as the word of God is taught, God keeps saving those who belong to him.
The Good News is…
The resurrection of Jesus is proof that a day of judgment is coming. And the Judge is the Saviour who died for us and rose again. So the call to repent is an invitation. Turn to Jesus, and that day will be a glorious one, when all who trust him are raised with him. That’s the most dangerous idea in the world. And it’s the best news you’ll ever hear!
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Further reading: Acts 17:30-34
Reflection
How are you responding to the call to repent? What would it look like for you to turn from an idol to the living God this week?
Rev. Dave Miers
President, Good News Unlimited