Discussion of Acts 17 Areopagus sermon: Paul makes a historical argument from resurrection to Christ's authority, not an argument for the existence of God

Winger argues that the audience at Athens were pagan idol-worshippers, not believers in the God of Israel. Paul presents the resurrection as evidence of Jesus's appointed role as judge. Sye says Paul's audience already had sufficient accountability through general revelation and conscience (Romans 1-2), and Paul was not arguing for God's existence but declaring who God is and calling them to repentance — the resurrection was stated as fact, not argued as probability.