July 15, 2009

When the writer of Ecclesiastes said “There is nothing new under the sun,” he knew what he was talking about.

I’ve been visiting ancient Greek ruins that have included temples to gods such as Zeus, Athena, Apollo and Artemis, who also was the god of the Ephesians. Paul addressed all of the monuments to Greek gods and told them about the one to the “unknown god” they had missed.

All of these gods, explained our guide, were an attempt by man to reach up to the sky and gain immortality. But, to my surprise, she also said that the Christian God reaches down to man. She might have added that while ancient Greek athletes attempted to purify themselves and Jews engaged in purification rituals, none of these can wash away our sins. Only the blood of Jesus Christ can do that.

The Greeks created much that is with us today, including roots of many languages. But they missed the most important fact of all: the one true god is not made of wood or stone. He is spirit, who became human that our spirits might dwell with him forever. In Olympia, Greece.

Cal Thomas is a nationally syndicated columnist based in Washington, D.C.