Complete in Christ

Philosophy or Christ
by

John MacArthur
All Rights Reserved (A copy of this message on cassette tape may be obtained by calling 1-8 -!!-"RAC#$

Colossians %&8-1 )ntroduction A* Philosophy in +istory 1. IT'S DEFINITION

'ape "C %1(1

The word "philosophy" appears in Colossians 2:8: "Beware les any !an spoil yo" hro"#h philosophy...." The word "philosophy" is $or!ed %y wo &ree' words(( phileo and sophia. )hileo !eans " o lo*e+" and sophia !eans "wisdo!." )hilosophy is he lo*e o$ wisdo!. Thro"#ho" his ory+ !an has p"rs"ed his $as,ina ion wi h wisdo!. "The lo*e o$ wisdo!" is si!ply he e y!olo#i,al !eanin# o$ philosophy. 2. IT'S DETE-.IN/TION )hilosophy is really he e$$or o$ !an o de er!ine he "l i!a e ,a"ses in he ear h and he "ni*erse. Thro"#ho" he his ory o$ he world+ !an has p"rs"ed an "nders andin# o$ wha ,a"sed wha is+ why i is wha i is+ where i is #oin#+ and wha i s in en and p"rpose is. .an has so"#h o e0plain he reasons $or e0is en,e+ he p"rpose o$ li*in#+ and all o$ he pheno!ena o$ he "ni*erse. I is all one #rea !ys ery $or !an. a. A Myriad of ,olutions There ha*e %een !any sol" ions o$$ered %y !any di$$eren philosophers. There ha*e %een ens o$ ho"sands o$ philosophers and a di$$eren philosophy $or e*ery one((all wi h heir own e0plana ion o$ he "ni*erse. %. 'he Ministry of the ,pirit .os philosophers deny he e0is en,e o$ &od. Those philosophers who do allow $or he e0is en,e o$ &od "s"ally allow $or 1is e0is en,e only as a #eneral ,a"se. In o her words+ so!ewhere+ so!epla,e+ and a so!e i!e+ &od !ade e*ery hin# happen. B" !os o$ he! deny 1is e0is en,e+ and hey ry o e0plain e*ery hin# in he "ni*erse in er!s o$ heir own ra ional hin'in# pa erns((all *ery hopeless. Firs Corin hians 2:2(13 says+ "...Eye ha h no seen 45o" ,an' dis,o*er r" h %y e!piri,is!6+ nor ear heard+ nei her ha*e en ered in o he hear o$ !an 45o" ,an' dis,o*er r" h %y ra ionalis!6+ he hin#s whi,h &od ha h prepared $or he! ha lo*e 1i!. B" &od ha h re*ealed he! "n o "s %y 1is Spiri 7 $or he Spiri sear,he h all hin#s+ yea+ he deep hin#s o$ &od." S,ien,e is e!piri,is!7 philosophy is ra ionalis!. /,,ordin# o 1 Corin hians 2:2(13+ nei her o$ he! will e*er dis,o*er "l i!a e r" h. 8. ITS DISCO9E-5

a. -ertrand Russell Ber rand -"ssell+ a he end o$ his nine y years+ he *as !a:ori y o$ whi,h he spen as a philosopher+ said+ ")hilosophy has pro*en a washo" $or !e." %. 'homas +obbes Tho!as 1o%%es+ he $a!o"s En#lish a heis i, philosopher who $os ered !a erialis i, psy,holo#y and " ili arian !orali y+ when he was drawin# near o dea h said+ "I a! a%o" o a'e a leap in o he dar'; I shall %e #lad o $ind a hole o ,reep o" o$ he world." ,. .avid +ume Da*id 1"!e+ he deis i, S,o ish philosopher+ was i!!oral+ inde,en + and dishones . 1is %io#raphers ell "s ha he was a ea,her o$ i!!orali y and a denier o$ &od. 1is dea h was so ra#i, ha one o$ his a endan s said ha he a#oni<ed o he poin ha his %ed shoo'. 1e de!anded ha he ,andles %e li all ni#h + and ha he ne*er %e le$ alone $or one !o!en . 1is lips were $illed wi h words o$ re!orse "n il he died. /nd so i #oes wi h philosophers and wi h people who wan o eli!ina e &od and in heir own !inds and %y heir own h"!an e$$or a e!p o dis,o*er r" h. -* Philosophy in Colosse Now he ,i y o$ Colosse had i s philosophers...as e*ery so,ie y does. /nd he li le asse!%ly o$ %elie*ers in he ,h"r,h a Colosse was in dan#er o$ %ein# ,ap "red+ in$il ra ed+ and d"ped %y he!. 1. T1E CIT5 OF CO=OSSE Colosse was a li le own in he !ids o$ he =y,"s 9alley+ so na!ed $or he =y,"s -i*er. I was appro0i!a ely one h"ndred !iles $ro! Ephes"s and lo,a ed in /sia .inor. /nd in ha lo*ely li le *alley were hree ,i ies: Colosse+ 1ierapolis+ and he !os $a!o"s+ he ,i y o$ =aodi,ea >-e*. 8:1?@. /s $ar as we 'now+ ea,h o$ hese hree ,i ies had ,h"r,hes. Colosse had one7 we 'now ha $or s"re. Colosse was a ypi,al pa#an ,i y in ha i was o,,"pied %y &ree's+ -o!ans+ and a pop"la ion o$ Aews who had le$ heir land. 2. T1E C1B-C1 /T CO=OSSE a. Paul/s Previous #ncounters )a"l had %een in Ephes"s $or hree years. D"rin# ha i!e he was ins r"!en al in $o"ndin# he ,h"r,h in Ephes"s alon# wi h o her ,h"r,hes in /sia .inor. /ll o$ he ,h"r,hes !en ioned in -e*ela ion 2 and 8 were lo,a ed in /sia .inor+ and were li'ely $o"nded d"rin# ha hree year period+ alon# wi h o her ,h"r,hes li'e he ,h"r,h in Colosse. Chile )a"l was !inis erin# in Ephes"s+ a !an %y he na!e o$ Epaphras was won o Aes"s Chris "nder he !inis ry o$ he /pos le )a"l >Col. ?:12@. Epaphras hen re "rned o Colosse and %e,a!e he $o"nder o$ he Colossian asse!%ly. Now si0 years ha*e passed sin,e he ,h"r,h a Colosse was s ar ed. )a"l $inished his hree years in Ephes"s+ hen he spen a win er in &ree,e where he wro e -o!ans and Corin hians. Then he re "rned o Aer"sale!. B" when he arri*ed wi h his o$$erin# $or

he poor sain s in Aer"sale!+ he was arres ed. 1e was hen a'en o Caesarea and le$ in prison. Chen his i!prison!en was ,o!ple ed+ he was %ro"#h o -o!e o awai rial. Tha is wha happened d"rin# hose si0 years. %. Paul/s Present #pistle Ce pi,' "p he s ory as he awai s his rial in -o!e. Epaphras *isi s hi! in -o!e and "n%"rdens his hear a%o" he si "a ion in he ,h"r,h in Colosse. )a"l hen sends hi! %a,' wi h his le er o help s rai#h en o" he si "a ion. Basi,ally+ wha Epaphras old )a"l was !os ly posi i*e %e,a"se here were no any serio"s+ ,ri i,al de$e, ions o,,"rrin# in he ,on#re#a ion. B" here is warnin# $ro! )a"l rela i*e o allowin# any $alse ea,hin# or $alse philosophy o in$il ra e heir ,on#re#a ion. Colosse had i s $alse ea,hers and philosophers wi h heir h"!an wisdo! loi erin# a he doors ep o$ he ,h"r,h. They were ready o en er and *ie $or ,on rol. Now his is always o %e e0pe, ed. The ,h"r,h+ in e*ery ,i y+ ,"l "re+ ,o"n ry+ and ,en "ry will ha*e o $i#h o !ain ain i s hold on do, rinal p"ri y. I will ha*e o $i#h o 'eep i s spiri "al eD"ili%ri"!. I will ha*e o de$end i sel$ a#ains erroris s and !ain ain he r" h((always((%e,a"se Sa an will always endea*or o opple he ,h"r,h o he le*el o$ $alse do, rine. Tha is )a"l's #rea ,on,ern and i %e,o!es he hear o$ his le er o he Colossians. 1@ The 1ear Now he hear o$ his epis le is lo,a ed in ,hap er 2+ *erses 8(28 and ,on ains he !ain !essa#e o$ )a"l o he Colossians. I is here ha he deals dire, ly wi h he $alse ea,hin# ha is on he %order and hrea enin# he ,h"r,h in Colosse. 2@ The Body Now+ )a"l has already ,on$ir!ed he r" h rela in# o Chris in he #rea do, rinal se, ion((,hap er 1+ *erse 1E hro"#h ,hap er 2+ *erse F. I presen s he do, rine o$ Aes"s Chris and sal*a ion hro"#h 1i!. The $irs $o"r een *erses o$ Colossians were in rod", ion. The pra, i,al se, ion((dealin# wi h wha sho"ld ,hara, eri<e he li*es o$ %elie*ers((is lo,a ed in Chap er 8+ *erse 1 hro"#h ,hap er ?+ *erse G+ $ollowed %y so!e personal words o ,lose he epis le. In he !iddle o$ he do, rinal and pra, i,al se, ions here is wha I ,all he pole!i, se, ion. )ole!i, !eans "a disp" e." 1ere is he ar#"!en o$ he %oo'. )a"l says+ "=e !e #e a his iss"e. I'*e al'ed a%o" Chris 7 I'*e al'ed a%o" sal*a ion7 I will al' a%o" yo"r pra, i,al li$e. B" now+ le !e a a,' hose $alse ea,hers." /nd ha 's wha he does in he hear o$ he le er. 8. T1E CONF=ICT /T CO=OSSE a. 'he #lements of the 0alse 'eaching There are $o"r ele!en s o he $alse ea,hin# ha hrea ened he Colossians. Now i is *ery hard o iden i$y his heresy %e,a"se )a"l ne*er na!es i o$$i,ially+ he only $lir s aro"nd he %orders o$ i . B" we do 'now i had $o"r ele!en s: 1@ )hilosophy >1"!anis!7 **. 8(1E@ 2@ =e#alis! >**. 1G(1F@ 8@ .ys i,is! >**. 18(12@ ?@ /s,e i,is! >**. 23(28@

This in*ol*ed a !onas i, li$e(s yle((a $alse 'ind o$ h"!ili y in whi,h an indi*id"al wi hdraws $ro! he nor!al pa erns o$ li$e+ li'e a re,l"se or a !on'. So here was a ,on#lo!era ion o$ h"!an philosophy+ le#alis!+ !ys i,is!+ and as,e i,is!. /nd in !y !ind ha !eans "Essenes." They were a ,o!!"ni y o$ Aews who $i hese pa erns o$ li*in#. Now+ ha !ay ha*e %een he ,ase+ or i !ay ha*e %een a $or! o$ ha Aewish se, + or i !ay ha*e %een ,oin,iden ally si!ilar and really e!%odied all o$ he possi%le heresies ha e0is ed. %. 'he #1hortations of Paul 1@ )osi i*e )a"l has already ,alled he Colossians o !ain ain p"re alle#ian,e o Aes"s Chris . In *erses 1(F he says+ "I ha*e #rea ,on$li, $or yo"+ and I wan yo" o han# on o Chris + he r" h a%o" Chris + and all he reas"res o$ wisdo! and 'nowled#e." 1e !ade his #rea + posi i*e s a e!en : "I wan yo" o ,o!!i yo"rsel$ wi h p"re alle#ian,e o 1i!." B" now he !o*es away $ro! he posi i*e o he... 2@ Ne#a i*e 1e says+ "1ere's wha I wan yo" o a*oid" >**. 8(28@. 1ere's he pole!i,. 1ere's he ar#"!en . a@ The Clai! o$ he False Tea,hers Now+ he $alse ea,hers were ,lai!in# >as hey ,on in"ally ,lai!ed d"rin# he early years o$ he ,h"r,h@ o ha*e a s"perior 'nowled#e. They ,on in"e o ,lai! ha oday. They say+ "Ce 'now wha yo" don' 'now. Ce ha*e a sys e! ha is hi#her han yo"rs. Ce ha*e 'nowled#e and insi#h s %eyond yo"rs((a hi#her+ r"er sys e!." Fro! he s ar o$ he New Tes a!en hey ha*e said+ "Ce ha*e a s"perior #nosis > he &ree' word $or 'nowled#e@. Ce ha*e a hi#her 'nowled#e+ a hi#her re*ela ion+ and a hi#her apprehension o$ &od's r" h." %@ The Co"n era a,' o$ )a"l )a"l+ in his se, ion+ ,o"n era a,'s heir ea,hin#. 1e says ha here is no hi#her r" h7 here is no no%ler 'nowled#e7 here is no #rea er insi#h 7 and here is no s"perior re*ela ion+ no !a er wha he $alse ea,hers ,lai!ed. /#ains he en i,in# ,lai! ha a hi#her wisdo! was o$$ered %y his new ea,hin#+ he e!phasi<ed ha all he reas"res o$ wisdo! and 'nowled#e are in Chris . /#ains he do, rine o$ aeons >a series o$ e!ana ions+ in er!edia e spiri %ein#s hro"#h whi,h he di*ine essen,e was dis ri%" ed "n il i $inally rea,hed !an in a dil" ed $or!@ )a"l se s $or h Chris as he only sin#le e!%odi!en o$ he $"llness o$ &od >Col. 2:2@. There are no any aeons and an#el %ein#s %e ween "s and &od+ hro"#h who! &od $il ers 1is personali y+ here is only one represen a ion o$ &od in h"!an er!s((Aes"s Chris . /#ains he idea ha hose spiri in er!ediaries sho"ld %e worshiped %y !en who !"s approa,h &od hro"#h he!+ )a"l shows ha hey are no hin# %" de!ons who ha*e %een ,onD"ered %y Chris . In *erse 1E )a"l says+ "/nd+ ha*in# spoiled prin,ipali ies and powers...." /nd a#ains he idea o$ sel$(denyin# as,e i,is! and $alse h"!ili y+ )a"l shows ha we are no lon#er a a,hed o any $leshly hin# sin,e we ha*e ,o!e o 'now Chris . Ce ha*e !o*ed in o a spiri "al di!ension so ha $leshly a%s inen,es ha*e li le si#ni$i,an,e.

Ce see in )a"l's ,o"n era a,' an e0,ellen e0a!ple o$ how o deal wi h heresy. )a"l is la!%as in# hese $o"r areas o$ heresy ha are hrea enin# he Colossian asse!%ly. B" no i,e ha his a a,' is no a !a er o$ %i er den"n,ia ion o$ he heresy((he doesn' na!e he heresy and hen ear i apar pie,e %y pie,e. I is no a de ailed dis,"ssion o$ he $alse ea,hin#. I is no a $iery %las a he heresy. I is a posi i*e a$$ir!a ion o$ he r" h. )a"l posi i*ely a$$ir!s he r" h a#ain and a#ain. Charles Erd!an says+ "...when he now rea,hes he *ery hear o$ his le er he apos le dwells so eloD"en ly "pon he dei y o$ Chris and he di#ni y and ,o!ple eness o$ %elie*ers ha he reader is le$ in so!e "n,er ain y as o he e0a, sys e! o$ error a#ains whi,h he Colossians were o %e "pon heir #"ard." The poin is o%*io"s: I$ yo" 'now he r" h+ any sys e! o$ error is #oin# o ,ollapse in he $a,e o$ he r" h. So i 's *i al ha )a"l presen he r" h. )a"l will %e dealin# wi h hese $o"r ele!en s: )hilosophy+ =e#alis!+ /s,e i,is!+ and .ys i,is!. Firs we will loo' a ... )* P+)23,3P+4 >**. 8(1E@ /s we loo' a hese *erses we see a ,on ras %e ween o"r wo poin s: Cap "red %y )hilosophy as opposed o Co!ple e in Chris . This is he s ory o$ e*ery !an %e,a"se e*ery !an is ei her ,ap "red %y h"!an philosophy or he is ,o!ple e in Chris . / !an ei her %e,o!es a *i, i! o$ h"!an wisdo!+ h"!an reason+ and h"!an lo#i,+ or he %e,o!es ,o!ple e in Chris . Tha is he ,hoi,e o$ e*ery h"!an %ein#. 5o" ha*e o ,hoose ei her !an's wisdo! or &od's. Firs o$ all+ le 's loo' a ... A* Captured by Philosophy >*. 8@ "Beware les any !an spoil yo" hro"#h philosophy and *ain de,ei + a$ er he radi ion o$ !en+ a$ er he r"di!en s o$ he world+ and no a$ er Chris ." 1. T1E C/== TO 9I&I=/NCE )a"l is sayin# essen ially his in his warnin#: "Beware les hose o$ yo" who were res,"ed o" o$ he do!ain o$ dar'ness and ha*e already %een ransla ed in o he 'in#do! o$ he Son o$ &od's lo*e sho"ld %e ,arried o$$ li'e ,ap i*es and ensla*ed a#ain." Tha warnin# is si!ilar o &ala ians E:1+ "S and $as + here$ore+ in he li%er y wi h whi,h Chris ha h !ade "s $ree+ and %e no en an#led a#ain wi h he yo'e o$ %onda#e." In o her words+ don' #e en an#led a#ain in he yo'e o$ %onda#e7 don' #o %a,' o a $or!er h"!an sys e!((le#alis!. 1ere in Colossians he says+ "Don' #o %a,' o a $or!er h"!an sys e!((h"!an philosophy or wisdo!." So )a"l's warnin# is in rod",ed %y a ,all o *i#ilan,e((a presen ense+ ,on in"al awareness and ,ons an wa ,h$"lness((les hey %e led as ray. The ,h"r,h is always "nder sie#e %y $alse ea,hers. a. 'he 5arning of the 2ord 1@ .a hew F:1E (( "Beware o$ $alse prophe s+ who ,o!e o yo" in sheep's ,lo hin#+ %" inwardly hey are ra*enin# wol*es." 2@ .a hew 1G:G (( "Then Aes"s said "n o he!+ Ta'e heed and %eware o$ he lea*en o$ he )harisees...." The lea*en o$ he )harisees was le#alis!. %. 'he 5arning of Paul

1@ /, s 23:22(81a (( "For I 'now his+ ha a$ er !y depar in# shall #rie*o"s wol*es en er in a!on# yo"+ no sparin# he $lo,'. /lso o$ yo"r own sel*es shall !en arise+ spea'in# per*erse hin#s+ o draw away dis,iples a$ er he!. There$ore+ wa ,h...." 2@ )hilippians 8:2 (( "Beware o$ do#s+ %eware o$ e*il wor'ers+ %eware o$ he ,on,ision 4 he !" ila ion par y+ hose who wan o ,ir,"!,ise6." ,. 'he 5arning of Peter )e er also #a*e warnin# in 2 )e er 8:1F+ "...%eware les ye also+ %ein# led away wi h he error o$ he wi,'ed+ $all $ro! yo"r own s ead$as ness." Aes"s said+ "Beware." )a"l said+ "Beware." )e er said+ "Beware." /nd i %ehoo*es "s o hear he e,ho+ "Beware." There will always %e an e$$or o woo yo" away $ro! he r" h. 5o" say+ "Cell+ wha a! I o %eware o$H" 2. T1E C/BTION OF 9I&I=/NCE a. 'he Manner of Capture 9erse 8 says+ "...les any !an spoil yo"...." The *er% is a ,o!%ina ion word. I is !ade "p o$ he &ree' words a#o whi,h !eans " o ,arry away+" and s"le whi,h !eans "%oo y"(( he loo or pl"nder whi,h is a'en in a ro%%ery or in a war. I was "sed in la er non%i%li,al &ree' wri in# o spea' o$ 'idnappin#+ pl"nderin# a ho"se+ or rapin# a !aiden. So )a"l is sayin#+ "Don' le any%ody 'idnap yo"+ don' le any%ody pl"nder yo"r reas"ry o$ r" h+ and don' le any%ody rape yo" wi h heir $alse ea,hin#s. There is real dan#er ha so!eone is #oin# o ,arry yo" away+ !a'e yo" his prey+ !a'e yo" a ,ap i*e+ and lead yo" o$$ li'e a prisoner o$ war." This is wha )a"l is warnin# he! a#ains . To )a"l+ i was "n hin'a%le ha hose who had %een ranso!ed+ hose who had %een redee!ed+ and hose who had %een li%era ed ,o"ld e*er s"%!i o ha old sla*ery a#ain. E*ery on,e in a while+ I will !ee so!eone who will say o !e+ "Cell+ I "sed o #o o &ra,e Co!!"ni y Ch"r,h. Ce le$ %e,a"se we dis,o*ered ha &ra,e Ch"r,h did no ha*e he r" h." )eople o$ en say ha hey ha*e $o"nd he r" h+ when he r" h o$ he !a er is ha hey ha*e $orsa'en he r" h $or sla*ery o h"!an wisdo!. %. 'he Means of Capture Now how is i ha hey are #oin# o ,ap "re yo"H 9erse 8 says+ "Be ,on in"ally %ein# aware ha hey don' ,arry yo" o$$ li'e spoil hro"#h philosophy and e*en *ain de,ei ." )hilosophy eD"als *ain de,ei . The !eans o$ ,ap "rin# people is philosophy. I is hi#h( so"ndin# 'nowled#e and heory+ %" i 's all h"!an. In,iden ally+ his is he only "se o$ he word in he New Tes a!en . 1@ The Spe,i$i,s o$ )hilosophy a@ I s De$ini ion )hilosophy is h"!an wisdo!((h"!an wisdo! ha so"nds li'e i is di*ine...h"!an wisdo! ha is s"pposed o %e #rea er han any hin# yo" ha*e e*er heard. This is wha he ,"l s always o$$er: "5o" don' 'now he r" h "n il yo" 'now wha we 'now." The his orian S,hla er says+ "E*ery hin# ha had o do wi h heories a%o" &od and he world and he !eanin# o$ h"!an li$e was ,alled Iphilosophy' a ha i!e+ no only in

he pa#an s,hools %" also in he Aewish s,hools o$ he &ree' ,i ies." 1e is sayin# ha he er! philosophy was "sed o$ e*ery sin#le heory a%o" &od and he world in ha era. I was he ,o!!on er!. So+ anyone who had any new heory a%o" &od+ or any new heory a%o" he world((i s ori#ins+ i s !eanin#+ and i s des iny((was ,onsidered a philosopher wi h a philosophy. Aoseph"s+ he his orian o$ ha day+ has shown ha any ela%ora e sys e! o$ ho"#h and !oral dis,ipline was ,alled a philosophy. 1e says+ "For here are hree $or!s o$ philosophies a!on# he Aews. The $ollowers o$ he $irs s,hool are ,alled )harisees+ o$ he se,ond Sadd",ees+ and o$ he hird Essenes" >Aewish Car II. *iii. 2@. Tha leads !e o hin' ha he Essenes !ay ha*e %een propa#a in# heir philosophy in Colosse. %@ I s Des,rip ion This philosophy was a lie whi,h )a"l ,alled "*ain de,ei ." )hilosophy is e!p y de,ei (( i doesn' #i*e yo" wha yo" e0pe, . The word "de,ei " is in eres in#. I is li'e a $ish hoo'+ in ha wha a $ish #e s is no wha i e0pe, s. Cha yo" see is no wha yo" #e in ha ,ir,"!s an,e. )hilosophy is he sa!e hin#((i 's a %ai ed hoo'. 5o" hin' i 's #oin# o %e wonder$"l %" i "rns o" o %e a de,ep ion. For all o$ i s ,lai!s+ philosophy is an e!p y ill"sion. Tha 's why Ber rand -"ssell says ha i 's a washo" . /nd ha 's why 1o%%es and 1"!e lie on heir dea h %eds pani,'in#+ wi ho" answers. )hilosophy so"nds #ood. I sed",es he !ind %e,a"se i plays in o he hands o$ pride+ %" i de,ei*es. Tr" h is $o"nd in re*ela ion+ and &od has spo'en $inally and ,learly in Aes"s Chris . There is no *al"e in spe,"la i*e h"!an philosophy. 1er%er Carson has a #ood warnin#. 1e says+ "This does no !ean ha he sho"ld ,o!e wi h a %lind "nreasonin# $ai h. B" i does !ean ha + ins ead o$ %rin#in# philosophi,al pres"pposi ions whi,h will ,olor his s "dy o$ S,rip "re and so pre:"di,e his in erpre a ion+ he ,o!es as one ,ons,io"s o$ he $ini eness o$ his in elle, + and aware ha his !ind also is a$$e, ed %y his sin$"l na "re. Th"s he is willin# o %e a"#h %y he 1oly Spiri + and a,'nowled#es ha i is he Cord o$ &od ra her han his own reason whi,h is he $inal ar%i er o$ r" h." So )a"l says+ "Beware o$ philosophy. Beware o$ h"!an heories a%o" &od and a%o" he world. S i,' wi h he Bi%le." 2@ The So"r,e o$ )hilosophy Chere do h"!an philosophies ,o!e $ro!H )a"l #i*es wo so"r,es in *erse 8: "...philosophy and *ain de,ei + a$ er he radi ion o$ !en 4so"r,e one6+ a$ er he r"di!en s o$ he world 4so"r,e wo6+ and no a$ er Chris ." The $irs so"r,e is... a@ Tradi ion Tradi ion is "s"ally he so"r,e %e,a"se people ha*e #enerally %elie*ed i o %e r"e. B" ha :"s perpe "a es inadeD"a e+ depra*ed h"!an hin'in# pa erns. Tradi ion doesn' !ean any hin#. A"s %e,a"se i 's handed down doesn' !ean i 's r"e. I$ here is error o s ar wi h and i is handed down+ i is s ill error. So )a"l is sayin#+ ")hilosophy $ollows a$ er he radi ion o$ !en." / s "dy o$ philosophy re*eals ha al!os all philosophers %"ild on o her philosophers. There is an in,redi%le seD"en,e ha $lows hro"#h he his ory o$ philosophy. One philosopher will de*elop a ho"#h so $ar+ hen ano her philosopher ,hops o$$ a li le o$

his ho"#h and de*elops i $"r her+ and on and on i #oes. So+ !",h o$ he philosophy oday $inds i s roo s in /ris o le and )la o. I is all a *aria ion in he $low o$ he radi ion o$ !an. The errors are perpe "a ed. For e0a!ple+ loo' a ... >1@ T1E AECS By he i!e Aes"s arri*ed on he ear h+ he Aews had %"il "p a !ons rosi y o$ philosophy. They ,o"ld no lon#er des,ri%e wha he radi ions o$ !en were and wha he Cord o$ &od was. .ar' F:E says+ "Then he )harisees and S,ri%es as'ed 1i!+ Chy wal' no Thy dis,iples a,,ordin# o he radi ion o$ he elders...H" They had de*eloped a sophis i,a ed sys e! all on he %asis o$ radi ion. In *erse 8+ Aes"s says+ "For layin# aside he ,o!!and!en o$ &od+ ye hold he radi ion o$ !en....F"ll well ye re:e, he ,o!!and!en o$ &od+ ha ye !ay 'eep yo"r own radi ion" >**. 8a+ 2%@. There is no hin# honorin# or sa,red a%o" radi ion((i 's :"s perpe "a ed h"!an i#noran,e. So he Aews had heir radi ions. >2@ T1E &ENTI=ES The &en iles also had heir radi ions. They passed on heir old philosophies. Firs )e er 1:18 says+ "Foras!",h as ye 'now ha ye were no redee!ed wi h ,orr"p i%le hin#s+ li'e sil*er and #old+ $ro! yo"r *ain !anner o$ li$e re,ei*ed %y radi ion $ro! yo"r $a hers." Ce are all *i, i!i<ed %y he passin# on o$ error. One day !y ,hild ,a!e ho!e $ro! s,hool and said+ "1ey Dad+ we didn' really ,o!e $ro! !on'eys+ did weH" /nd I said+ "No+ we didn' ,o!e $ro! !on'eys." Then he said+ "B" e*ery%ody says we ,a!e $ro! !on'eys+ and he %oo' says we ,a!e $ro! !on'eys." So I as'ed he ea,her why e*ery%ody says ha we ,o!e $ro! !on'eys+ and she said+ "Tha 's wha he s,ien is s ha*e always %elie*ed." I said+ "Cell ha 's #ood proo$ ha no !a er how s!ar yo" are+ wi ho" &od and 1is re*ela ion yo" will ne*er !o*e $ro! error o r" h." So where does ha philosophy ,o!e $ro!H I ,o!es $ro! all he philosophies %e$ore i . The sa!e hin# is perpe "a ed. The se,ond so"r,e is... %@ -"di!en s o$ he Corld Tha is no an easy er! o de er!ine %e,a"se here are se*eral possi%ili ies. =e !e #i*e yo" a #eneral idea o$ wha )a"l had in !ind. >1@ E=E.ENT/= -BDI.ENTS In i s li eral sense+ he er! re$ers o he %asi, ele!en s o$ learnin#. -"di!en s wo"ld %e li'e learnin# /BC's. I li erally !eans " hin#s in a ,ol"!n+" or " hin#s in a row" >i.e.+ 1+ 2+ 8+ or a+ %+ ,@. )a"l says ha hose are he r"di!en ary prin,iples o$ ins r", ion $or ,hildhood and no adeD"a e $or !a "re ad"l s. The ho"#h o$ )a"l is his: To re "rn o philosophy wo"ld %e o ,as away he !a "re ea,hin# o$ he Bi%le $or he in$an ile po*er y( s ri,'en opinions o$ an i!!a "re reli#ion drawin# i s %ein# $ro! his world and no &od. The sa!e phraseolo#y is "sed in &ala ians ?:8+ "E*en so we+ when we were ,hildren+ were in %onda#e "nder he ele!en s o$ he world 4The ele!en ary ea,hin# o$ h"!an reli#ion6" >,$. 1e%. E:12@. In &ala ians+ )a"l was re$errin# o he Aews' reli#ion7 in Colossians+ he is re$errin# o he reli#ions o$ he &en iles. /nd wha is he ele!en ary ea,hin# o$ h"!an reli#ionH Sal*a ion is %y wor's. Chere does ha philosophy ,o!e $ro!H I ,o!es $ro! radi ion((perpe "a ed error((and $ro! !an's in$an ile+ pri!er reli#ion. I isn' so!e

ad*an,ed+ deep+ new+ pro$o"nd spiri "al 'nowled#e. The really ad*an,ed people are hose who 'now he Cord o$ &od. >2@ E=E.ENT/= S)I-ITS The phrase "r"di!en s o$ he world" has a se,ond possi%le !eanin# in he an,ien world+ al ho"#h I wo"ld #"ess ha he $irs !eanin# I #a*e yo" is pro%a%ly he one )a"l had in !ind. I ,o"ld also re$er o ele!en al spiri s((spiri %ein#s. The people o$ ha day were %o"nd "p in asso,ia in# spiri s wi h he s ars and he plane s. They were hea*ily in*ol*ed in as rolo#y. I 's a!a<in# ha people oday hin' ha as rolo#y is so!e hin# new when i 's he sa!e old r"di!en s o$ he world. For e0a!ple+ A"li"s Caesar was an as rolo#y %"$$ who #o*erned his whole li$e %y wha he s ars old hi!. /le0ander he &rea r"led his li$e in he sa!e way. They were %o h de*o" %elie*ers in he in$l"en,e o$ he s ars. )eople who %elie*ed in hose ele!en al spiri s were in he #rip o$ a ri#id 'ind o$ de er!inis! ha was se %y he s ars. The in$l"en,e o$ hose spiri s hro"#h hose s ars do!ina ed heir li*es. I was said ha here was only one way o$ es,ape: 5o" were an a%sol" e prisoner o$ he s ars and he spiri s "nless yo" 'new he ri#h passwords or $or!"las in order o es,ape he $a alis! %"il in o he s ars. I was said ha yo" had o ha*e a se,re 'nowled#e((a se,re ea,hin#. So alon# ,a!e he $alse ea,hers who said+ "Ce ha*e he se,re ea,hin# ha ,an relie*e yo" $ro! he $a alis i, de er!inis! o$ he s ars. Aes"s Chris ,an' sa*e yo" $ro! he spiri s in he s ars and plane s. Ce ha*e he se,re in$or!a ion $or ha ." So!e o$ he people in he Colossian ,h"r,h had pro%a%ly %een in*ol*ed in ha 'ind o$ sys e!. E*en when hey were sa*ed o" o$ ha sys e!+ hey s ill !i#h ha*e had lin#erin# ho"#h s a%o" i . They !i#h ha*e %een e!p ed o say+ "Cha i$ hese ea,hers are ri#h H" B" )a"l warned he! >and "s@ o %e ,ons an ly aware o$ he $alse r" h(( ha whi,h is :"s h"!an radi ion. I is perpe "a ed i#noran,e((in$an ile+ inadeD"a e h"!an reli#ion o$ he pas %ein# re*i*ed. Ce ha*e Chris 7 &od is eno"#h. Now )a"l !o*es o a se,ond poin : -* Complete in Christ >**. 2(1E@ 1. T1E B/SIS OF CO.)=ETENESS >**. 2(13@ "For in 1i! dwelle h all he $"llness o$ he &odhead %odily. /nd ye are ,o!ple e in 1i!+ who is he head o$ all prin,ipali y and power." 5o" don' need o %e ,ap "red %y philosophy((yo" ,an %e ,o!ple e in Chris . 5o" ,an hrow away h"!an philosophy+ all he radi ional reli#ions o$ he world+ and all he !an(!ade $or!s and heories. "For in 1i! dwelle h all he $"llness o$ he &odhead %odily+ and ye are ,o!ple e in 1i!..." >Col. 2:2(13a@. a. 'he Reality of .eity The word "dwelle h" in *erse 2 is ,on in"o"s presen ense: "In 1i! s ill dwells." Aes"s Chris is s ill he $"llness o$ he &odhead. The word "&odhead" is he word $or he essen,e o$ dei y. Aes"s Chris is s ill dei y(( s ill he $"llness o$ dei y as in Colossians 1:12+ "For i pleased he Fa her ha in 1i! sho"ld all $"llness dwell." The whole $"llness >&'. plero!a@ o$ &od dwells %odily. I %elie*e ha *erse 2 !ay %e he #rea es

s a e!en o$ he dei y o$ Aes"s Chris in any o$ he epis les: "In 1i! ,on in"ally dwells >i doesn' ,o!e and #o li'e he #nos i,s a"#h @ all he $"llness >&'. plero!a@ o$ dei y in a %ody." I don' 'now how anyone ,an deny i . %. 'he Result of the Reality Cha is he res"l o$ ha reali y o "sH 5o" don' need philosophy %e,a"se *erse 13 says+ "...ye are ,o!ple e in 1i!+ who is he head o$ all prin,ipali y and power 4all o her spiri "al or an#eli, %ein#s6." 1is $"llness is i!par ed o "s. The sa!e er!s are "sed: 1e is he plero!a o$ &od and we are he plero!a in 1i!. &od li erally passes 1i!sel$ o "s hro"#h Chris . 5o" are ,o!ple e in 1i!. Tha is in he per$e, ense: Ce ha*e %een ,o!ple ed in 1i! wi h e ernal res"l s. 1@ In,o!ple e a he Fall / he Fall o$ !an+ we $ell in o a sad s a e o$ in,o!ple eness. /n "nsa*ed !an is spiri "ally in,o!ple e %e,a"se he is o ally o" o$ $ellowship. 1e is !orally in,o!ple e %e,a"se he has no s andard o$ ,ond", . E*en i$ he did+ he ,o"ldn' li*e "p o i . /nd he is !en ally in,o!ple e %e,a"se he is in,apa%le o$ 'nowin# he r" h. So !an is spiri "ally+ !orally+ and !en ally in,o!ple e. 2@ Co!ple e a Sal*a ion Aes"s Chris en ers he s,ene+ and )a"l says+ "/nd ye are ,o!ple e in 1i!...." In 2 )e er 1:? )e er says+ "...ye !i#h %e par a'ers o$ he di*ine na "re...." Thin' o$ i ; 5o" ha*e %e,o!e a par a'er o$ he di*ine na "re. / !an ins an ly %e,o!es spiri "ally ,o!ple e and has $ellowship wi h &od. The li$e o$ &od is now in hi!. 1e %e,o!es !orally ,o!ple e7 no %e,a"se he is per$e, pra, i,ally+ %" %e,a"se he re,o#ni<es he a" hori y o$ &od's will. 1e now has a s andard and he ener#i<in# o$ he 1oly Spiri o #i*e hi! he s ren# h o o%ey. /nd he is !en ally ,o!ple e7 no in he sense o$ 'nowin# e*ery hin#+ %" in he sense o$ ha*in# he r" h and he residen r" h ea,her(( he 1oly Spiri . Chris ians are par ners in he di*ine li$e. Cha an in,redi%le r" h; Chen yo" %e,a!e a Chris ian+ yo" re,ei*ed e*ery hin# yo" needed. )e er says we ha*e "all hin#s ha per ain "n o li$e and #odliness..." >2 )e . 1:8%@. 5o" don' need any hi#her 'nowled#e. 5o" don' need he words o$ .ary Ba'er Eddy or Aoseph S!i h. 5o" don' need he Boo' o$ .or!on. 5o" don' need he words o$ /nnie Besan + .ada!e Bla*a s'y+ A"d#e -" her$ord+ or any%ody else. 5o" don' need .r. and .rs. Fil!ore or S"n .y"n# .oon o add o wha yo" ha*e. 5o" don' need any%ody %e,a"se yo" are ,o!ple e in 1i!. /s a Chris ian I ha*e a sense o$ ha ,o!ple eness+ don' yo"H .y sear,h $or r" h is o*er+ is yo"rsH I ,an' ,on,ei*e o$ e*er needin# any hin# o" side o$ Aes"s Chris + ,an yo"H E*ery !an has a ,hoi,e. 1e ,an ,hoose h"!an philosophy+ whi,h will ,ap "re hi! and ,arry hi! o$$ in in,o!ple eness o a spiri "al+ !oral+ and !en al sen en,e o$ doo!. 1e ,an $ollow h"!an wisdo!+ whi,h see!s so hi#h and lo$ y+ %" is no hin# !ore han he sa!e old radi ion o$ h"!an reli#ion passed down hro"#h he ,en "ries. Or he ,an ,o!e o Aes"s Chris and %e li$ ed o" o$ his world o a spiri "al+ !oral+ and !en al ,o!ple eness. / son# I lo*e says+ "1e is all I need. 1e is all I need. Aes"s is all I need." 0ocusing on the 0acts 1. Cha is he e y!olo#i,al !eanin# o$ he word philosophyH

2. Cha e$$or on he par o$ !an does philosophy des,ri%eH 8. 1ow do !os philosophers ry o e0plain he e0is en,e o$ he "ni*erseH ?. S,ien,e is JJJJJJJJJJ7 philosophy is JJJJJJJJJJJ. E. Cha dan#er was he ,h"r,h o$ Colosse $a,in# as )a"l wro e his le erH G. Cha will e*ery ,h"r,h in e*ery ,i y+ ,"l "re+ ,o"n ry+ and ,en "ry ha*e o $i#h o !ain ain and de$endH F. 1ow ,an he %oo' o$ Colossians %e di*idedH Cha is he hear o$ his epis leH Chy is i he hear H 8. Cha were he $o"r ele!en s o$ he $alse ea,hin# ha ColosseH Chere did his $alse ea,hin# li'ely ha*e i s ori#inH hrea ened he ,h"r,h a

2. Cha is he ,lai! ha he $alse ea,hers !ade d"rin# he early years o$ he ,h"r,h+ and s ill !a'e odayH 13. Cha was he ,on en o$ )a"l's ,o"n era a,' o he ,lai!s o$ he $alse ea,hersH 11. Cha !e hod o$ ar#"!en does )a"l "se in his ,o"n era a,'H Cha is he poin o$ "sin# his 'ind o$ !e hodH 12. Cha is he ,on ras ha ,an %e !ade in Colossians 2:8(1EH 18. Cha is he essen,e o$ )a"l's warnin# o he Colossians as re,orded in *erse 8H 1?. Cha ype o$ wa ,h$"lness !"s he ,h"r,h !ain ain in re#ard o $alse ea,hersH ChyH 1E. Cha do all Chris ians need o %e warned a%o" >Col. 2:8@H Cha does he word "spoil" !eanH 1G. Cha is he !eans o$ ,ap "rin# people $ro! he r" hH Cha phrase is des,rip i*e o$ philosophyH 1F. Cho was ,onsidered a philosopher wi h a philosophy in he i!e ha his le er was wri enH 18. Chy is philosophy li'e a %ai ed $ish hoo'H 12. Cha are he wo so"r,es o$ h"!an philosophyH 23. Cha does radi ion perpe "a eH &i*e wo e0a!ples. 21. Cha does he word "r"di!en s" li erally !eanH In wha way did )a"l apply his ho"#h o philosophyH 22. Cha is a se,ond possi%le !eanin# o$ he phrase "r"di!en s o$ he world"H Cha is i ,alled odayH 28. 1ow had people %e,o!e rapped in he sys e! o$ %elie*in# in ele!en al spiri sH Cha was s"pposedly he only way o$ es,apeH 1ow had he $alse ea,hers a'en ad*an a#e o$ hisH

2?. Chy doesn' anyone e*er ha*e o %e ,ap "red o philosophyH 2E. Cha *erse des,ri%es he dei y o$ Aes"s Chris H 2G. E0plain how Chris ians ha*e %een ,o!ple ed in Chris . Cha has &od passed on o "sH 2F. In wha hree ways did !an %e,o!e in,o!ple e a he FallH In wha hree ways does a !an %e,o!e ,o!ple e a sal*a ionH Pondering the Principles 1. 1ow #ood are yo" a de$endin# yo"rsel$ a#ains $alse ea,hersH I is *i al ha yo" 'now he r" h %e,a"se any sys e! o$ error will ,ollapse in he $a,e o$ he r" h. In 1 Aohn+ he /pos le Aohn presen s hree es s $or dis in#"ishin# a r"e %elie*er $ro! a $alse %elie*er. Those es s are $o"nd indi*id"ally in 2:8(G+ F(11+ 18(2F7 ?:1(G+ and F(12. Two are ,o!%ined in ?:18(21+ and all hree are $o"nd in E:1(E. =oo' "p all o$ hose *erses. Cha are he hree es sH 1ow !i#h yo" apply hose es sH /s' &od o help yo" in dis in#"ishin# he r"e $ro! he $alse. 2. )a"l warns he Colossians no o %e ensla*ed a#ain li'e ,ap i*es a$ er already ha*in# %een ransla ed o" o$ he do!ain o$ dar'ness. Tha warnin# is repea ed !any i!es. =oo' "p he $ollowin# *erses: .a hew F:1E7 1G:G7 /, s 23:22(817 &ala ians ?:27 E:17 2 )e er 8:1F. 1a*e yo" %een e!p ed o #o %a,' o he $or!er yo'e o$ %onda#eH I$ yo" ha*e+ wha does &ala ians E:1 say we sho"ld doH /,,ordin# o .a hew 11:28(83+ wha is he yo'e ha Aes"s Chris wan s "s o ,arryH /s' yo"rsel$ as )a"l does+ why wo"ld yo" wan o "rn %a,' o he wea'+ wor hless+ and ele!en al hin#s now ha ha yo" ha*e %een #i*en he yo'e o$ Chris >&al. ?:2@H 8. /,,ordin# o )e er+ all Chris ians ha*e %een #i*en "e0,eedin#ly #rea and pre,io"s pro!ises+ ha %y hese ye !i#h %e par a'ers o$ he di*ine na "re..." >2 )e . 1:?a@. A"s wha does i !ean o %e a par a'er o$ he di*ine na "reH =oo' "p he $ollowin# *erses: Aohn 1:12(187 2 Corin hians 8:187 Ephesians ?:28(2?7 Colossians 8:137 1e%rews 12:137 1 Aohn 8:2. Cha is he di*ine na "reH Chy ha*e we %e,o!e par a'ers o$ he di*ine na "reH Cha are he pra, i,al s eps yo" need o a'e in yo"r own li$e o %e ass"red ha yo" are a par a'erH >see 2 )e er 1:E(11@