What does Athens have to do with Jerusalem?: Part III

There are two primary passages of Scripture that believers appeal to in support that Christians should abandon all usage of philosophy, even attempts to form a Christian philosophy and Christian philosophical outlook.

When these two passages are cited by those who oppose the use of philosophy, often times they distort the original meaning and purpose of the text. Thus, they distort the relevance of the text for the modern day believer.

The first text that is often cited and distorted is 1 Corinthians 1-2. In these two chapters, the apostle Paul argues against the wisdom of this world and that he did not visit the church at Corinth with persuasive words of wisdom. As J. P. Moreland notes in Love Your God With All Your Mind, "some conclude from this that human reasoning and argument are futile, especially when applied to evangelism" (58). There are two primary problems with interpretation to this passage. First, if this passage is to be understood in this particular manner, it contradicts Paul's own methods of apologetics and reasoning found in the book of Acts and his philosophical appeal to the Resurrection in 1 Corinthians 15. Second, the primary purpose of this particular section of Scripture is to argue against the prideful use of philosophy/reasoning and not against the use of philosophy/reasoning itself as many would like to think.

The second passage that is often cited by those opposing the use of philosophy is Colossians 2:8. In this passage Paul writes "see to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ" (NASB, 1995 Update). This passage has been used to support the thought that Christians are to avoid secular studies, especially that of philosophy. But when one reads this verse in its original context, one will notice that Paul is warning believers against a sorting type of philosophy--a philosophy that is empty and deceptive. When this verse is studied in its fuller context of the rest of Colossians, one will see that what Paul is doing is warning "the church not to form and base doctrinal views according to a philosophical system hostile to orthodoxy" (Love Your God With All Your Mind, 59). In fact, by studying philosophy, itself, one can learn how to avoid empty and deceptive philosophies because he or she will recognize the logical errors and fallacies in arguments.

The forthcoming posting should conclude this brief series on the use of philosophy by Christians. There are distinct differences between worldly philosophy and a Christian philosophy. And the primary distinction is found in the foundation for epistemology. This is topic will be discussed in What does Athens have to do with Jerusalem?: Part IV.