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Philosopher, Philosophy

Morrish Bible Dictionary

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The words φιλόσοφος, φιλόσοφίαsignify 'a lover, or, love of wisdom.' The wisdom that God gives, the wisdom 'from above,' must ever be distinguished from that which emanates from man. This latter is variously designated in scripture as the wisdom of this world, fleshly wisdom, wisdom of man, the wisdom that does not come from above. This in regard to the things of God is only foolishness. It has an entirely different source, and works in the natural mind of man, which should not have any place in Christianity.

The Colossian saints were warned against being spoiled by such philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world; which stands in contrast to what is 'after Christ.' Colossians 2:8 : cf. 1 Timothy 6:20 . Then as to the gospel, the Greeks sought after wisdom, and to preach Christ crucified was foolishness to them. 1 Corinthians 1:22,23 . It was so at Athens, when Paul preached to the philosophers. They said, "He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods." And why? "Because he preached unto them Jesus and the resurrection." Paul spoke to them first of the true God, but when he came to the truth of 'the Man' whom God had raised from the dead, some mocked, and others would hear him another time. Acts 17:18-32 . See EPICUREANS, GNOSTICISM, STOICS.

The philosophy of modern days has the same source, the mind of man, though it acts differently in respect to Christianity. For instance, with some, Christianity is regarded as emanating from man, and so is compared with Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, all of which are said to be branches of the same religion of man; though Christianity is judged to be the best, none are to be condemned; there is truth in them all! Others sit in judgement on the word of God, and profess to be able to cut out many parts as not being written by the professed writers, and having no claim, ought not to form a part of scripture. Others declare that modern thought cannot be cramped up in the dogmas hitherto held by Christians almost universally, which in general really means what scripture teaches.

According to the advocates of another theory, the wisest thing is to be ignorant of everything except what the senses or the higher affections teach. As to whether there is a Being in any higher position than man, or any future existence for man, they know nothing, and there is, they say, no means of knowing: it is all unknown. The key to their ignorance of God (which they call Agnosticism) is that they do not want to obey, or to know Him.

Again, another class resort to spirits, and let them teach them: they imagine the inhabitants of the unseen world must be able to tell them what is true, and these spirits even profess to interpret scripture for them.

These and other delusions prove how busy Satan is in using the mind of man to exalt man in his own eyes, and to lead him away from thescriptures, which alone are able to make wise unto salvation.