A beautiful temple dedicated to the god, Dionysus, stood prominently on the
Acropolis. Believed to be the son of Zeus and a human mother, Dionysus
supposedly offered his followers life after death and meaningful life on earth
through indulgence in raw meat and wine. According to the teaching of the
Dionysus cult, followers who drank wine to excess literally became one with
Dionysus. So, worshipers would gather around the altar, gorge on raw meat that
had been offered to Dionysus, and drink until they became intoxicated. During
the festivals, women would drink wine and run through the hills screaming,
dancing, and committing sexual immorality. Dionysus worship was so wild that it
was outlawed in Rome because it was considered to be too immoral!
Audio: The Sword of My Mouth
Jesus had prepared his disciples well for the cults they would encounter as they took the gospel throughout the world. Concerning the claims of Dionysus, for example, John could say, ?Dionysus is a fake. Jesus was born of God through a woman. I watched him turn water into wine (the same miracle that Dionysus supposedly performed in secret in his temples at night). Only Jesus can provide meaning and true intimacy with God. I?ve seen it firsthand.?
