Beware of Manmade Philosophies

So, those of you that have been to university will know that one of the most daunting tasks for a first year student is class selection. The typical Canadian university has over 500 different classes to choose from. Some of you might be thinking, how can there be over 500 different classes!? There are some very valuable courses to choose from like: English literature, business management, Western History, Eastern History, elemental physics and the list goes on, but with this many courses you know that there’s going to be some strange ones. In my search for some more obscure options, I found courses on the following: cryptozoology (the study of mythical creatures like bigfoot and the loch ness monster), Elvish, the Physics of Star Trek, the amazing world of bubbles, and tree climbing. I believe Pastor Daryl even told me about a friend of his that taught a college course on fishing. You’ll have to check with him about that one.

Now most university programs will have you complete a list of required courses, but they always provide some space for you to choose some electives. You know, to expand your understanding of the world and form you into a more complete citizen of the world, or something like that. Anyway, I was really excited about the opportunity to choose some electives, and one of the electives that caught my eye was a philosophy course. I signed up for this course and I remember that the first day of class, for some reason, I was a bit late and when I arrived at the classroom it was pretty much all filled up and the only seats were right in the front. So, I sat down at a seat next to another student. This student appeared to be quite a bit older than the other students and we made small talk for a bit. Eventually I asked him, “what year are you in?” I assumed that he was probably in his 3rd or 4th year, it was still an undergraduate class, so it was likely he wasn’t working toward a masters. And he says to me that he’s in his 12th year! Now the first thing that came to my mind was, 12 years! How much would that cost - 12 years of university. Now when I think about this story I think it sounds about right. Isn’t it true that when you dig into something, especially something like the study of philosophy, that with the more knowledge you gain the more questions you have.

Now, even if you haven’t taken a university philosophy course, we are all philosophers. For a philosopher is literally a “lover of wisdom”. And I would assume that all of us would say that we seek to become wise. The study of philosophy is concerned with the study of the nature of the universe and the nature of human thought and existence.

Our worldview is shaped by our understanding of the world around us, where it came from, why we’re here, what’s our purpose, is there a purpose, these are all important philosophical questions. Now don’t get me wrong, some of us are better philosophers than others. Many ponder these questions deeply and it shapes who they are and how they act, while others neglect these questions either because the task seems too daunting or they willingly distract themselves. But there is no doubt that how we answer these questions shapes the lens through which we see the world.

So, if it is the case that we are all philosophers, why is Paul so concerned about the teaching of philosophy? Let’s turn to Colossians 2:8-15 and we’ll explore this together.

When Pastor Mitchell introduced the book of Colossians to us a few weeks ago, he described this passage as part of the central message that Paul is introducing to the church in Colossae. He begins the book with greetings and encouragement and then as we move into the second chapter we see Paul begin to address what he saw as the heart of the problems that the church was dealing with.

Read verse 8.

We see in this verse that Paul is establishing two separate camps. In one camp, we have those taken captive by philosophy and empty deceit. In the other camp are those who follow christ. And I think we could say that in one camp we have those that have been taken captive by philosophy and empty deceit and in the other camp, those that have been taken captive by Christ.

Romans 6:20-22:

“When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death! But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.”

Scripture teaches us that we are all slaves to something. We are slaves to sin or we are slaves to truth. So, when Paul is addressing the Colossians, he is splitting them into those that have been taken captive by human wisdom, and those that have been taken captive by the truth of Jesus.

And it is clear from this text that the Colossian church was under attack. It was under attack from an especially dangerous form of false teaching. Jesus warned his followers multiple times that false teachers would come.

Read Matthew 7:15-17

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit.”

It should not have been a surprise that the new believers in Colossae were being confronted with false teachings. Jesus warned false teachers would come, and Colossae being situated in a crossroads of the Roman Empire was the place you’d expect to find the heresies described by Paul here. And its a reminder for us, that we live in a place and time where there is no shortage of people that claim to have the truth, or those that claim there is no truth.

I recently read a story where a young man recounted an experience he had in college. He said that his professor had told the class that “objectivity was really ‘collective subjectivity’ and that objectivity was dead. The young man realized that if objectivity was dead he'd need a replacement so he flung up his hand and asked, “if we can't be objective, then what should we strive to do? The professor responded, “Just tell the truth.”

What is truth when everything is subjective. This type of man made philosophy is common today. These types of philosophies are taught in our schools and promulgated in the media and are but a keystroke away.

Secular Wisdom

So when Paul refers in verse 8 to philosophy and empty deceit, what exactly is he referring to? Is he referring to all philosophy or the particular philosophies taught at this time?

Writing in the 1950s, JI Packer teaches how we as Christians should use reason and knowledge to discern what is true. He says, “Reasoning is the mark of men, as distinct from beasts; faith is the mark of christians, as distinct from unbelievers. As there can be no faith without thinking (for truth must be known before there can be trust) so for the christian there should be no thinking without faith (for the thoughts that do not express faith are sin). The christians intellectual vocation is to think about all things in faith and homage to god. Whereas the non christian is led by faithless reason, the christian should be guided by reasoning faith.

Philosophy alone is man’s wisdom. Philosophy is only a problem when it tries to answer questions apart from or in contradiction to the revelation of God. In 1 Corinthians Paul said that man’s wisdom has kept many from coming to God. He said the Greeks were pursuing secular wisdom and therefore the Gospel was foolishness to them.

1 Corinthians 1:19-23

“For it is written,

“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,

and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.”

Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach[a] to save those who believe. For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles,”

The part of Greek philosophy that affected the Colossians was likely a form of Gnosticism, the belief that the body is evil and the spirit is good. This led to gross extremes. Some would starve themselves, beat their flesh, and allow themselves no pleasures, while others would say that it doesn’t matter what you do with the body because the spirit is all that matters. The Gnostics believed one needed new knowledge to be saved and understand the message of Christ.

Philosophy can be a stumbling block for many, even in the church today. Many cannot accept a God who miraculously created the earth, for that doesn’t fit with their secular wisdom. They attempt to merge the Scriptures with man made wisdom. They do this to understand creation, or even the sovereignty of God: How can Christ be fully man and fully God? How can God be in control of all things at all times? We are tempted to view God and the Bible through a particular lens - a lens shaped by the time and culture in which we live.

The truth of Scripture often does not line up well with the wisdom of man:

Luke 6:38 - “Give and it shall be given unto you.” Many are kept from the wisdom of God because that doesn’t make sense. You mean that when I’m in financial distress, you’re saying I should give to God to have my needs met?”

The Bible teaches that the way to be the greatest is to be last and a servant to all. Jesus, contrary to man’s wisdom, came to earth as a poor servant and died on the cross, and yet he will be given the name above all names. Many are kept from this life of servanthood because it doesn’t make sense to them.

Evangelizing Spock?

To the world, the Bible and the teachings of Jesus are foolishness because without the spirit they are confined to man made wisdom and cannot accept the things of God which is where truth is found. However, even though we are the church and are filled with the spirit, we too can become enslaved to secular wisdom. We too can be tempted to see Christ through a lens of our own making.

So, how do we as a church defend against such teachings, for this is what Paul is addressing.

Man made philosophy is deceptive

Paul says that man made philosophy is deceptive. It holds just enough truth so as to lead people astray. Sometimes it can appear quite logical. When Satan said that Eve would be like God if she ate from the tree, there was an aspect of truth to that. Because Adam and Eve would know more, they would technically be more like God, however Satan implied that this would be better for them.

Man made philosophy is empty

Paul says in verse 8 that man made philosophy is empty. It makes great boasts but has no depth and therefore no true power. Those that taught these philosophies are described in Jude:

Jude 1:12

“These are hidden reefs at your love feasts, as they feast with you without fear, shepherds feeding themselves; waterless clouds, swept along by winds; fruitless trees in late autumn, twice dead, uprooted;”

Philosophy apart from God is hollow. I heard one person call this “cotton candy theology”. It may look and taste good, but if you eat too much of it you’ll get sick.

Man made philosophies are based on human tradition

Paul attacks these philosophies because he says they are based on human tradition. Now of course there is nothing wrong with traditions, and surely we find them everywhere, but the teachers that Paul was confronting in Colossae were attempting to bind the people to human traditions. Traditions that became distractions and idols that hindered the work of God.

When we look at what we practice both in our homes and as a church we must examine if these practices are from God’s word or man’s word.

Man made philosophies are often based on spiritualism

It is likely that the cult that was developing in Colossae believed in some sort of ‘spiritualism’ that included the worship of angels (v. 18). It is true today that despite the fact that much of our wisdom is based on scientific inquiry still most people who are not part of the church, still believe in life after death. A recent poll concluded that 75% of Americans believe in heaven and 80% of Americans believe that there are things that happen in this life that can’t be explained by either science or natural causes. People continue to seek. This seeking can lead people toward eastern mysticism or some form of ancient polytheism. It could lead believers to follow one of the many belief systems that has added to Scripture like Mormonism or the Jehevoh’s Witnesses, and we see this constantly, a merging of contemporary ideas or ancient mysticism into our belief system.

Paul points out in verse 8 the problem the church in Colossae has been dealing with and ultimately it comes down to the fact that many of these new believers were adding to the Gospel. They were adding something to the truth of the message of Jesus. They were doing this because they were looking at Jesus through a lens provided to them by false teaching which obscured what they saw and left them wanting.

It is in the verses that follow that Paul lays out his argument for the sufficiency of Christ. So let the following verses be a reminder to us that Jesus is far more than we could ever ask for or imagine, and his power is at work within each one of us. And if that is true, who could ever argue that something is missing.

Read verses 9-10

First, we must recognize the deity and sufficiency of Christ.

The Gnostics teachings that would have been common at that time taught that Jesus was but a part of God, Jesus was not fully got but simply an emanation of him - a part of God’s fullness.

Paul makes clear here that Jesus and God are one. That Jesus is fully God (fullness of deity) and that he dwells with us. Dwelling in us is a reference to the fact that Jesus takes up residence within us, he is not a visitor.

In 1 John 4:1-3 we are given instruction concerning how we can distinguish between those teachings that come from Christ and those that don’t.

Read 1 John 4:1-3

“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already.”

It says very deliberately that “Jesus Christ has come in the flesh”. He was both fully man and fully God, a truth echoed throughout scripture, but we see being attacked here in Colossae.

“We have received fullness in Christ.” That is we have received all that we need. I’m sure many of you, probably in your younger years, have tried to fill a cup with water until it can handle no more. The water will reach the brim and then will even rise just above before it spills over. This is the picture Paul is giving us of Christ. He is sufficient. Nothing more can be added.

Read verses 11-13

We must understand that only through Christ do we have a true deliverance from sin.

In reminding the Christians of this truth, Paul refers back to the Jewish practice of circumcision. And again Paul does this to attack the heretical teachings of the false teachers he’s heard about. Many of the false teachers were instructing the new believers that if they wanted salvation they needed to follow the customs and practices of the Jewish people, one of the most important being circumcision.

So Paul tells them that the physical act of circumcision carried no value. It was a spiritual circumcision. Jesus removes our sin, this is the spiritual act of circumcision. Christ removes our flesh, our sin, and while we still battle sin, we are no longer slaves to our old sinful nature.

Read Romans 2:28-29

“For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.”

Jesus has circumcised every believer - not a physical circumcision but a spiritual one - as he broke the power of sin in our lives. We don’t need legalistic laws to conquer sin because Christ is all we need. Our old selves died with him on the cross and we now have freedom.

In describing this, Paul refers to baptism. For this is what baptism symbolizes. As we are lowered into the water we are buried with Christ, and when we come up out of the water, we are raised with him. It symbolizes that we are a new creation, surrendered to Christ.

Read verse 14

We must remember that Christ offers us forgiveness.

The christian must understand that we are forgiven, fully and completely. People that are drawn into false teachings are often those bound by guilt over their sin. They don’t recognize the forgiveness that Christ offers, or don’t understand how complete it is.

These false teachers offer freedom when they themselves are slaves to sin. If we are to be protected from false teachers we must recognize that Christ is sufficient.

To get his point across Paul gives us an image of the cross. In ancient times it was common for a criminal's offenses to be nailed to the cross with him. We see this with Jesus, as they hung a sign that said “king of the Jews” because he claimed to be the Messiah.

But Paul says that the cross has wiped out our transgressions, and not only that, but has wiped away the legal demands. This is a reference to the laws themselves. The false teachers were continually attempting to bind the new believers to a legal code and traditions in an effort to find salvation, but Paul says that the law no longer stands against you.

Read Ephesians 2:14-15

“For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace,”

And then one of my favorite verses in the whole Bible:

Read Romans 8:33-34

“Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.”

We have been removed from the jurisdiction of the Old Testament law and are now bound to the law of Christ. We are no longer slaves to sin, we are no longer slaves to the law, we are slaves to Christ, the only means to find freedom from sin and death.

Abraham Lincoln story

Read verse 15

Jesus provides us with victory over Satan

We need to understand Christ’s complete victory over Satan. Early in the passage, Paul was telling these believers not to attach themselves to the worship of angels or demonic powers, which was a common pagan practice. The pagans lived in fear of demonic spirits. They would perform rituals to protect themselves or purify themselves, and Paul is telling them that Jesus has had victory over the powers of evil.

Jesus disarmed them. Think of a soldier completely stripped of his weapons. Satan no longer has power over the believer because he’s been stripped by Christ.

Read Hebrews 10:14-15

“For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified. And the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us”

Christ has stripped the devil of his power over believers including the power of death. The disciples all fled at the sight of the cross, but at the resurrection of Jesus they willingly gave their lives for Christ. They had been freed from the power of Satan through the death of Jesus and were therefore willing to die.

Ending

Paul’s warning to the church in Colossae is a warning we must take seriously ourselves. While the study of philosophy and the pursuit of wisdom and knowledge can certainly bring honour to God there are so many ways that it can lead us into danger and that is why in all things we must see Christ. When we look at the world around us we must see all things through the lens of Jesus and the truth that he gives to us.

Glacier Park

A number of years ago I had the opportunity to take my motorbike on a trip to Glacier Park Montana with my father in law. It was amazing. The weather was hot, muggy, perfect for riding. I remember we were riding through southern Alberta and there were two giant thunderstorms ahead of us. One on one side of the highway and one on the other. The clouds were dark and unforgiving and we could hear the crack of thunder over the rumble of our engines as we passed right between them. And then when we got to the park, the clouds cleared and we could see these giant mountain peaks and incredible valleys below. The speed limit through the park is quite slow, and there’s no helmet laws, so riding through the park you can see everything. It was breathtaking. And when I saw these thunderstorms and mountain peaks I could not help but think about the creative power of the God that we serve.

When we see beauty, we see Christ because the spirit directs us.

Psalm 8:3-4

“When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,

the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,

what is man that you are mindful of him,

and the son of man that you care for him?”

And what about when we see those in need. Our phones and tvs have been flooded with images of fleeing refugees at the invasion of Ukraine.

Colossians 3:12

“Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.”

Just as the beauty we see around us compels us to worship God and his creative power, the sin and destruction that we see in the world should cause us to meet it with compassionate hearts because the power of Christ compels us to empathize with those that are hurting.

And finally, what about when we encounter false teaching, which is what Paul has been addressing here. Know that when we abide in Christ, he has the power to rescue us and keep us from dangerous teaching:

2 Peter 2:9-10 “then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment, and especially those who indulge in the lust of defiling passion and despise authority. Bold and willful, they do not tremble as they blaspheme the glorious ones.”

“Bold and willful, they do not tremble as they blaspheme the glorious one.” When we encounter false teaching, and we are led by the spirit it should cause us to tremble.

When those who are not led by the Spirit look at the cross, what do they see? For as believers we see what is right and true.

Let’s look back at verse 14 for a moment. What is your reaction when you picture your record of debt on the cross. When you picture your debts upon the cross, what is your reaction? My first reaction is that I tremble. I tremble as I recognize the weight of my sin. Looking at my record of debt, I’m convicted. I’m convicted because I look at life, my past, my present and my future through the lens of Christ. But I only tremble for a moment. For just as the Spirit directs me in my conviction, the Spirit also directs me in the knowledge that while Jesus hung on that cross as payment for my sin, this was not the end of the story. For Jesus lives. The penalty has been paid, and the debt has been forgiven. And as we read in verse 14, not only has our debt been forgiven but the legal demands that stood against us have been removed. I am not captured by false teaching because though I was a slave to sin and death I have found freedom through Christ by submitting to him.

Now, like the false teachers, what happens if you look at the cross, and you find that you do not tremble. If your sin does not convict you, like a dog to its vomit you find yourself on the path to destruction. This is the sign. Like the Colossian Christians who were being led astray by false teachings, who were following a different master, so are you. Turn from that which you serve, seek Christ and be led by the Spirit.

Now, what if you look at the cross and you feel convicted by the weight of your sin, but you aren’t a believer. This is it! This is the spirit leading you to the knowledge of Jesus and the forgiveness of sin that only He can provide. Don’t let this opportunity slip away. Talk to one of us pastors, find a Christian friend and let the Spirit lead you into a relationship with Jesus where we find truth, wisdom, and where we can be made alive in Him.

When we look at the world around us let us see it through the lens of Christ. Let us not be drawn to false teaching. Let us ensure that we don’t add or subtract from the Gospel. The Gospel is the good news of the hope that only Jesus can provide, and the promise of hope in him is enough to meet all of our needs. So let us see everything through the lens of Christ. For only when we see the world through this lens will we see the world for what it truly is. A world corrupted by sin, full of snares which wish to entangle us. But also a world where we can recognize that on the cross Jesus claimed victory over sin and death and we can become a part of that promise. So let us withstand false teaching and we will rest in the knowledge that Jesus is sufficient.