Poseidon, Athena, Apollo, and Artemis (left to right) © Getty Images

Meet the “little g’s” . . . and one Big G

There is only one God. But people tell stories about other, “little-g” gods. These tales entertain us today. And they can show us glimpses of the true God, Maker of thunder, animals, music, the sea . . . everything! But back during the days of the Apostle Paul, many people believed in false gods. They worshipped and made statues of them.

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You can think of Zeus as the big, main  character in Greek mythology (myths  are made-up stories). Zeus rules over  the world and over the other gods on  Mount Olympus. He can be powerful  and generous. But he is easily angered. The Lord is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. — Numbers 14:18

Zeus’s wife is the goddess of marriage, women, and childbirth. Hera is jealous . . . for good reason! Her husband, Zeus, is often unfaithful to her. If we are faithless, He remains faithful—for He cannot deny Himself. — 2 Timothy 2:13

Zeus’s son. His mother is Leto (a giant). Apollo is the god of music, poetry, healing, and the Sun. People believed Apollo’s priestesses could predict what would happen in the future.       Even before a word is on my      tongue, behold, O Lord, you know      it altogether. — Psalm 139:4

Apollo’s twin sister is a crack shot with a bow and arrow. She’s the goddess of wild animals, hunting, and plants. People in rural (country) areas were most likely to worship Artemis. Behold, to the Lord your God belong heaven and the heaven of heavens, the Earth with all that is in it. — Deuteronomy 10:14

Another of Zeus’s daughters, Athena has no mom. She was born (full-grown!) from Zeus’s forehead after he had a bad headache. Athena is the goddess of war and wisdom.  For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding. — Proverbs 2:6

The god of the sea, storms, and horses is a bit of a grouch. If you insult him, he won’t forgive easily. Zeus (god of the sky) and Hades (god of the underworld) are his brothers. He lives in a sea palace on the ocean floor and causes earthquakes with his pointy trident.  And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?” — Mark 4:41

Other gods don’t care much for Ares, the god of war. But his worshippers in northern Greece did. Ares’ mom and dad are Hera and Zeus. His kids Phobos and Deimos (Panic and Terror) go with him into battle. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. — Ephesians 6:12

One of the altars to the Unknown God

When Paul met the  Greeks, he “saw that the  city was full of idols.”  (Acts 17:16) He pointed  out that they even had  an altar “To the Unknown  God.” Paul knew the  God they didn’t. He told  them all about Jesus,  and some believed.