Corinth, Greece

This is a significant week for justice in the world. As the United States and several if its allies consider a response to the chemical attacks of the Syrian regime on its own people, we are aware of significant events in the journey for human and civil rights in the United States. Monday, August 26th, marked a national day of voting rights for women. In 2020, the United States will celebrate the 100th anniversary of women's suffrage on August 26th. Many people may say, "so what?" But, do you know how precious this right is for American women AND FOR PEOPLE ALL AROUND THE WORLD WHO HAVE YET TO ACHIEVE IT? Do you know that Pastor Marta votes in every election after having done a report on women's suffrage for her 8th grade social studies class? Today also marks the 50th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech. Our son, Joshua, was baptized 30 years ago today and our daughter, Jessica, was baptized 25 years ago today. The Christian gospel is about freedom for all people...not only religious freedom, but also justice, peace, and mercy for God's children around the world. Today, we give thanks to God that we were raised by Christian parents who loved us enough to point us to Jesus Christ, the true liberator of humanity.

Today, we drove about 80 kilometers to Corinth. (Picture us having the nerve to drive a manual transmission rental car through the streets of Athens where every traffic sign is in Greek letters and find our way south to Corinth...tomorrow we are going to do the same thing, driving north to Thessaloniki.) 

We visited Ancient Corinth where St. Paul set up shop with Priscilla and Aquila, a couple who were recent transplants to Corinth from Rome because of the persecution of Jews under the Roman Emperor Claudius (we consider them the first husband-and-wife clergy couple identified in the New Testament). We don' t know if they had already become Christians before arriving in Corinth, but it is obvious from scripture that Paul shared genuine affection with them. The three of them earned a living through tent making. 

When St. Paul first visited in 50/51 A.D., Corinth had become the capitol of the Roman province of Achaea. It was here, in Corinth, that Paul held discussions in the synagogue Sabbath by Sabbath, trying to convince Jews and Gentiles that Jesus was the Messiah. Interestingly, Crispus, the president of the local synagogue became a Christian (see Acts 18:2-11). Paul remained at Corinth for 18 months. At one point, he was brought before Gallio, the proconsul of Achaia in the Bema (public square where important public business was conducted through speeches). Before Paul could speak in his own defense, Gallio dismissed the case as quarreling between Jews. You can read about the situation in Acts 18:12-18. We actually got to stand on the ruins of this Bema in the central market place of ancient Corinth. One of the pictures highlighted for this day shows the plaque commemorating the spot. Paul left Corinth by the port of Cenchreae, near the present-day village of Kechries. There he cut off his hair as an offering to God, in accordance with a Jewish custom. At Cenchreae, a Christian community grew up at an early date, with a woman named Phoebe as its minister (Romans 16:1-2).

Corinth was a major crossroads city. Imagine craftsmen, traders and sailors crossing through this area. They had money to spend...and they spent it visiting the temple prostitutes of Aphrodite. Yes, she had a major "temple" of worship here. It was a place of much drinking, loose living, and questionable morals. Probably a lot like Las Vegas. Interesting that Paul chose to start a church here. He hung here for 18 months the first time and came back two more times during his journeys. He wrote two letters to the Christians in Corinth that got into the New Testament. I guess if Paul could witness in Corinth, then what we are doing together in Vegas and Henderson is a piece of cake...especially as the Holy Spirit is behind it.

During the course of his third missionary journey, while he was at Ephesus in 55 A.D., Paul was informed that the church at Corinth was troubled by various problems and disputes. As a result, he sent with Timothy his First Epistle to the Corinthians. Also, while he was here in Corinth, he penned his Epistle to the Christians in Phillippi, another ancient site in northern Greece we hope to see before our pilgrimage ends. There is much more to share about Paul and Corinth, but this will have to do for now!

After visiting Ancient Corinth, we drove UP...and I do mean UP the mountain to Akrokorinthos, a fortified citadel of ancient and medieval cities. The site was occupied continuously from the Neolithic period to the Middle Ages. It was a challenge for the legs to climb it, but well worth the effort for the panoramic view of greater Corinth and the surrounding area of Greece.

Our final stop was en route back to Athens. A canal was dug at the end of the 19th century linking the Mediterranean Sea with the same sea, but shaving lots of miles off of sailing around the peninsula. (In Paul's day boats were moved across the short land mass dividing the sea by rolling them across logs.) This phenomenal engineering feat allows numerous ships and boats to avoid the long journey around the Peloppeniasn peninsula. It's a wonder to behold!