Philosophy
See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit,
according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.
For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him,
who is the head of all rule and authority.
(Col. 2:8-10)
There are many Christians who don't understand the importance (or even the natural necessity) of philosophy. They will see the above passage of Scripture and jump to the conclusion, "We're not supposed to be involved in philosophical matters." (Of course, that objection itself is an instance of philosophical matters; but let's put that aside for now).
We must notice that the text does not say: "do not be taken captive by philosophy of any kind at all." Rather the command is that we are: "not to be taken captive by philosophy that is not according to Christ."
This of course implies that there is a philosophy that is according to Christ, which the passage goes on to say: for we have been filled (filled up, completed) in Christ who is the head of all rule and authority. Therefore we do not need some other "authority" coming from some other philosophy. As Christians, our philosophy of life comes from the creator and sustainer of life Himself - Jesus Christ (Col. 1:16-17, 2:3). And there are no other competitors (Isa. 41:21-24). Regarding other philosophical authorities or starting points that are not the Lord, the Bible clearly teaches: "an abomination is he who chooses you" (Isa. 41:24).
And so for believers in Christ (indeed for all the world), there ought to be only one philosophy of life - the Christian philosophy of life. And I mean by that: the thought-assumptions taken for granted, which give foundation to and direction for one's life ought be the infallible Word of God. Anything beyond this is simply foolish (Isa. 8:20; 1 Cor. 1:19-20): Atheism, pantheism, panentheism, dualism, monism, materialism, secular humanism, and all other forms of non-Christian thought are without a sure foundation to one's understanding of life and without a clear direction for one's goal for life.
The church, then (especially), must start all its thinking with the Word of God, which will then shape our expressions of purposeful creativity and mold our expressions of intentional enjoyed participation to the glory of God (1 Cor. 10:31; Col. 3:17). And just as in society, since the church is to be the light of the world and transform the nations through discipleship (Mt. 5:14, 28:18-20), likewise it ought to engage in redeeming the culture of societal communities (Eph. 5:11-16; Phil. 4:8; Col. 4:5), through the power of the gospel (Rom. 1:16; 1 Cor. 1:18, 24).
We must notice that the text does not say: "do not be taken captive by philosophy of any kind at all." Rather the command is that we are: "not to be taken captive by philosophy that is not according to Christ."
This of course implies that there is a philosophy that is according to Christ, which the passage goes on to say: for we have been filled (filled up, completed) in Christ who is the head of all rule and authority. Therefore we do not need some other "authority" coming from some other philosophy. As Christians, our philosophy of life comes from the creator and sustainer of life Himself - Jesus Christ (Col. 1:16-17, 2:3). And there are no other competitors (Isa. 41:21-24). Regarding other philosophical authorities or starting points that are not the Lord, the Bible clearly teaches: "an abomination is he who chooses you" (Isa. 41:24).
And so for believers in Christ (indeed for all the world), there ought to be only one philosophy of life - the Christian philosophy of life. And I mean by that: the thought-assumptions taken for granted, which give foundation to and direction for one's life ought be the infallible Word of God. Anything beyond this is simply foolish (Isa. 8:20; 1 Cor. 1:19-20): Atheism, pantheism, panentheism, dualism, monism, materialism, secular humanism, and all other forms of non-Christian thought are without a sure foundation to one's understanding of life and without a clear direction for one's goal for life.
The church, then (especially), must start all its thinking with the Word of God, which will then shape our expressions of purposeful creativity and mold our expressions of intentional enjoyed participation to the glory of God (1 Cor. 10:31; Col. 3:17). And just as in society, since the church is to be the light of the world and transform the nations through discipleship (Mt. 5:14, 28:18-20), likewise it ought to engage in redeeming the culture of societal communities (Eph. 5:11-16; Phil. 4:8; Col. 4:5), through the power of the gospel (Rom. 1:16; 1 Cor. 1:18, 24).
To the teaching and to the testimony! If they will not speak according to this word, it is because they have no dawn.
(Isa. 8:20)