Worlds in Collision by Emmanuel Velikovsky is a book that proposes that our narratives, traditions and histories are built upon the reality of ancient worldwide global catastrophes of a celestial origin. I find the whole matter rather spurious, but the title of the book, Worlds in Collision interests me. In a real way, when the worldview of those who believe in Jesus and those who do not meet head on, it is a sort of Worlds in Collision -- or, perhaps, more properly: Worldviews in Collision.

Our nation today is the setting for worldviews in collission. We all know the tension of family gatherings where worldviews get exposed and counter worldviews rise to answer: when Uncle Earnest opines on the "dangers of the Christian right" or the fact that "everyone knows there are different ways to get to heaven -- it's all just religion anyway!" When you sit with a knotted stomach trying to figure out what to say!

In Paul's defense before the local Roman officials, Festus and Agrippa, we see worldviews in collision. Believing that the Lord has something for us here which can speak to our worldview tensions today, we will consider the task of sharing our faith when worldviews collide.

I. The Ebb And Flow of the Trial In Acts (vv. 19-23)

The worldview of Paul and the Roman governor and King collide in these passages. Like oceans surging back and forth under the power of the storm, Luke opens up the portal of the narrative to see the shifting back and forward of the dialogue. First Paul presents the Gospel, then Festus answers him, then Paul responds, then Aggripa weighs in, and finally the Apostle Paul reveals his heart in a final exhortation to the King.

Let's begin with Paul.

Paul's Worldview: The Gospel of Jesus Christ is a Supernatural Event in Humankind that has been Prophesied from the days of the Ancients in the Scriptures (vv. 19-23).

Paul's view is the classical statement of the believer: that according to the Word of God recorded by Moses and the prophets, the Messiah would come to save not only the people of Israel, but from there to save the people of the whole world. The central message of the Gospel is that Messiah would suffer, be the first to rise from the dead -- intimating, of course, that the grave would be defeated by all of those who have faith in Him, and that His life and Word are light and life to all who are brought into His kingdom through repentance and faith with their changed lives attesting their faith.

Paul's worldview is the same as Jesus' teaching in Luke 24:44-47: "He said to them, 'This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.' Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, 'This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem'" (Luke 24:44-47).